Digital and Physical Doors Open at Newtownards Masonic Centre

A new digital chapter begins for Newtownards Masonic Centre & Community Hub - www.ardsmasonic.org - and one of our own played a key role!

Big congratulations to Bro. Chris Morrow on receiving a special honour at our May meeting for creating the website.

Designed to engage both Freemasons and the wider public, the site brings over 250 years of local heritage, charity, and community tradition to life.

“This project is about more than just a website,” said W. Bro Alastair Wilson, Chairman of the Newtownards Masonic Centre & Community Hub. “It’s about preserving our history and inviting others into our story. Chris’s work has helped us do just that.”

Located in the heart of Newtownards on Regent Street, the Centre has been a central part of town life since 1812. Its roots stretch back even further, with Lodges such as Friendship No. 447 tracing their origins to 1766. Today, the Centre continues to welcome Masonic Lodges and the public alike, offering its function room for hire for community events, meetings, and social gatherings.

The website was created by our Bro. Chris Morrow, a new member of Craigantlet Masonic Lodge of Friendship No. 486, who volunteered his time and skills over six months to build the site in his spare time. His goal was simple: to open the doors of Freemasonry in Newtownards to the wider public — digitally.

“Joining Freemasonry has already been a rewarding experience,” said Bro. Morrow. “Working on this project gave me a real sense of connection to its past and future. It was a pleasure to use my skills to give something back — and I’m glad the website will help open the Centre to others.”

Chris refused any payment, instead asking that a donation be made to Masonic charity. In response, two donations were made: one to the local Masonic Charity Committee and another to the Victoria Jubilee Benevolent & Welfare Fund.

To honour his generosity, he was presented with a commemorative jewel issued to mark the 125th anniversary of the Fund — awarded to recognise outstanding commitment to Masonic charity.

The surprise presentation was made at the May meeting of Craigantlet Masonic Lodge of Friendship, led by W. Bro Hugh McKeag, Provincial Grand Lodge of Down Inspector, and W. Bro Alastair Wilson.

Among the Centre’s most distinguished members was Lt. Col. Robert Blair "Paddy" Mayne DSO, legendary SAS founder and wartime hero. A proud and active Freemason, Blair joined Eklektikos Lodge No. 542 in Newtownards in 1945 and served as Worshipful Master in 1954. He later affiliated with Friendship Lodge No. 447 in 1948. Known for valuing the camaraderie and brotherhood of Freemasonry, Blair regularly attended Lodge meetings after returning from war and his expeditions to Antarctica. In fact, it was while returning home from a Lodge meeting that Blair tragically lost his life in a car accident.

Now, with a growing digital presence and ongoing building refurbishment, the Newtownards Masonic Centre & Community Hub is embracing the future while safeguarding a proud past — offering a warm welcome to Freemasons and curious members of the community alike - www.ardsmasonic.org