On Saturday, 7th December, members of Dovey Chapter No. 2720 came together to celebrate their centenary—a milestone achieved in December 2022, this being the first occasion to celebrate it.
The meeting was graced by the presence of the Deputy Grand Superintendent and his team, who were honoured to present the Chapter’s centenary warrant. The celebration was a fitting tribute to 100 years of the Chapter’s history, heritage, and achievements.
Following the ceremony, attendees enjoyed a delightful Festive Board at the prestigious Cardiff and County Club. The joyous atmosphere was shared among members and guests, though some were unable to attend due to the challenging weather conditions brought by Storm Darragh.
Photographs captured the spirit of the day, featuring the Provincial Team alongside members of Dovey Chapter. The event was a testament to the enduring camaraderie and dedication of the Chapter, looking forward to its future while honoring its remarkable past.
A Resume of the Consecration of the Dovey Chapter of Holy Royal Arch Masons on Saturday 2nd December 1922.
At a meeting of the Loyal Commercial Lodge No. 2720 held on 26thFebruary 1921, a notice of motion was given by W.Bro S. Atkinson, that the question of the formation of a Holy Royal Arch Chapter in connection with the Loyal Commercial Lodge be considered at the next regular meeting and to pass any necessary resolution.
At the next meeting held on 19th March 1921, W.Bro S. Atkinson referred to the previous notice of motion Standing in his name and proposed that the Lodge approve of the proposal for the formation of a Royal Arch Chapter in connection with the Loyal Commercial Lodge, and that all necessary steps be taken to implement it. The proposal was seconded by W.Bro C.J. Walsh and was carried unanimously.
The matter of a name for the new chapter was later discussed amongst the senior members and a final decision made of naming the chapter after one of the founding members of the Loyal Commercial Lodge No. 2720 namely, W.Bro Charles Edwin Dovey, an accountant who resided at 58 Cathedral Road, Cardiff, a past master of the Bute Lodge No.960 and a founder member of the Duke of York Lodge No.2453.
It was also decided on the first of the three Principles to be selected, and they were named as:
- W.Bro Tom Douthwaite, a Commercial Traveller who resided at 31 Hamilton Street, Cardiff, A Master Mason of the Llangattock Lodge No.2547, a founder member who later became Master of the Loyal Commercial Lodge No.2720 in 1902 and was the first Grand Officer to be appointed in the Loyal Commercial Lodge was named as the Most Excellent Zerrubbabel.
- W.Bro Thomas George Drew of 75 Stacey Rd., Llandaff, Cardiff, a Manager and a past member of the Llangattock Lodge No.2547 and the first joining member of the Loyal Commercial Lodge No.2720 who became its Worshipful Master in 1903 was named as Haggai.
- W.Bro Lewis Lougher an accountant by profession who resided at Llandaff Way, Cardiff, who was initiated into the Loyal Commercial Lodge on the 17th of December 1898, became its Worshipful Master in 1905, and attained the rank of Provincial Registrar, becoming the first Registrar when there were only twenty-two Lodges in the Province and who later became a member of Parliament for Cardiff and who was eventually Knighted, was named as Joshua.
After the necessary petitions were drafted and submitted to Supreme Grand Chapter, the Warrant or Charter was granted on 2nd day of August 1922.
The Chapter was consecrated at the Cardiff Masonic Hall Guildford Street, Cardiff on Saturday the 2nd of December 1922 and the first three Principles installed in the presence of 50 founder members and scores of other dignitaries and visitors.
Regrettably, despite much searching we have been unable to locate any record of minutes from the first consecration or as to where the festive board took place. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Scribe Ezra, E. Comp David Williams for the time and effort he has put into researching this history.
