Wiclif Chapter No.3078

ATTACHED TO Wiclif Lodge No.3078

Warranted 2^nd May 1934 - Consecrated 26^th October 1934

Held at Freemasons’ Hall, George Street, Lutterworth, on the fourth Wednesday in November, February, April and May at such hour as the Principals may appoint.

Installation meeting - November

History

The Wiclif Royal Arch Chapter was consecrated on Friday 26^th October 1934, by the MEGS, Sir Frederick Oliver, to become the 9^th Chapter in the Province, with 31 founder members. The Chapter was to meet at the Town Hall, in Lutterworth, in January, March and October, however, by 1938 it had been changed to February, April and November.

During the war years the Chapter continued to meet on a regular basis, but at various locations and during the afternoon. No dinner was served, only light refreshments. Masonic meetings resumed at the Town Hall in November 1946.

At the 1974 February Convocation, a letter from Provincial Grand Chapter was read out, cancelling all official visits due to the fuel crisis. In 1986, the Charter was mislaid and a replacement had to be obtained. The whereabouts of the original Charter still remains a mystery. In 1991, E.Comp. William Thorne, who was MEZ in 1959, was presented with a 50-year certificate by the MEGS, Herbert W. Tassell.

A dispensation was granted in November 2001 to allow E.Comp. Brian Rayner to be MEZ of Wiclif Chapter at the same time as he was MEZ of the Wayfarer Chapter No.8679. In February of that year, The Most Excellent Grand Superintendent W.G. Dawson presented E.Comp. Norman Pettit with a 50-year certificate. In 2004, E.Comp. Michael Robinson, who had been MEZ in 1976, was installed as Third Provincial Grand Principal. In 2005, the Wiclif Chapter started to use desktop publishing to produce the Summons and Minutes. This dramatically reduced the Chapter’s printing costs.

In February 2010, E.Comp. Ian Staples, as MEZ, welcomed the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, E.Comp. Peter C. Kinder, accompanied by the Provincial Team, to the Chapter to help celebrate 75 years of Royal Arch Masonry in Lutterworth. The Provincial Team attended yet again in February 2011. The purpose of this visit was to celebrate E.Comp. Norman Pettit’s 60 years in Royal Arch Masonry and to present him with a further (60-year) certificate – quite a rare, but significant, achievement. On this occasion, the citation was read by E.Comp. John Townsend, Provincial Grand Scribe E., a member of the Chapter. As noted in his remarks, by the Grand Superintendent, the occasion also marked the 50^th anniversary of Norman occupying the First Principal’s Chair.

Further information can be obtained from the Provincial Year Book.

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