Apollo University Lodge
The Apollo University Lodge No 357 is a Masonic Lodge based at the University of Oxford aimed at past and present members of the university.[1] It was consecrated in 1819, and its members have met continuously since then.
University of Oxford
Membership of the lodge is restricted to those who have matriculated as members of the University of Oxford. The Lodge's historic records, from its foundation until 2005, are housed in the university's Bodleian Library.[2] The lodge is primarily a part of university social life, but is also involved in other areas of university life through projects such as the Apollo Bursary, administered by the university, through which lodge members provide financial support to certain students.[3]
Due to its association with the university it has had famous members such as Cecil Rhodes, Oscar Wilde, and Albert Edward, Prince of Wales.[4]
Character
The Lodge (together with the parallel Isaac Newton University Lodge in Cambridge University) has traditionally enjoyed certain privileges, including the right to initiate matriculated members of the University regardless of their age (other Lodges in England and Wales are restricted to candidates aged 21 or older, except by special permission), and the right to initiate candidates in large groups (other lodges are restricted to a maximum of two candidates at a time, except by special permission). In 2005 the Universities Scheme was established, inspired by the long success of Apollo University Lodge and Isaac Newton University Lodge,[5] and now brings similar privileges to more than seventy university masonic lodges in universities across England and Wales.
Other lodges
Apollo University Lodge is the principal masonic lodge for members of the University of Oxford. Other University lodges include Churchill Lodge No 478 (consecrated 1841) for senior members of the university, St Mary Magdalen Lodge No 1523 (consecrated 1875) for members of Magdalen College, Oxford,[6] and Aedes Christi Lodge No 9304 (consecrated 1989) for members of Christ Church, Oxford.[7] The Oxford and Cambridge Lodge No 1118 (consecrated 1866) is a London-based lodge for members of both universities.[8]
Notable members
- Albert Edward, Prince of Wales
- Henry Barnes, 2nd Baron Gorell
- William Wither Beach
- Edward Bootle-Wilbraham, 1st Earl of Lathom
- Peter Butler
- Charles Canning, 1st Earl Canning
- Esmé Chinnery
- John Stanhope Collings-Wells VC
- Godfrey Elton
- George Finch
- Frederick Halsey
- Henry Herbert, 4th Earl of Carnarvon
- Samuel Reynolds Hole
- Osbert Lancaster
- Lambert Blackwell Larking[citation needed]
- Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany
- Richard Lewis (bishop of Llandaff)
- Walter Long, 1st Viscount Long
- Roger Lumley, 11th Earl of Scarbrough
- Charles Lyell
- Duncan Mackinnon
- Schomberg Kerr McDonnell
- Tony Marchington
- Roger Makins
- Nevil Story Maskelyne
- Charles Thomas Mills
- Eric Archibald McNair VC
- John Norwood VC
- Henry Percy, 7th Duke of Northumberland
- Arthur Porritt, Baron Porritt
- Cecil Rhodes
- Matthew White Ridley, 2nd Viscount Ridley
- Oliver Russell, 2nd Baron Ampthill
- Daniel Sandford[citation needed]
- Lord Alexander Thynne
- Henry Tizard
- Hugh Trevor-Roper
- Henry Baker Tristram
- Oscar Wilde
- Watkin Williams (bishop)
References
- ^ http://www.apollo357.com/
- ^ Catalogue of Apollo papers at Boolean Library website.
- ^ Apollo Bursary at the University of Oxford funding webpages.
- ^ http://www.apollo357.com/index.php/history/1870-1914
- ^ See "About the Scheme" at the Universities Scheme official website.
- ^ Lodge details at Lane's Masonic Records.
- ^ See the Lodge's official website.
- ^ See lodge entry in the Universities Scheme.