The Grand Lodge of British Freemasonry in Germany (GL BFG) is a Masonic Grand Lodge in Germany working in the English language and following English Masonic traditions. It was founded as a District Lodge in 1957 and after various transformations (see below) was eventually recognised as Grand Lodge in 1980. This Grand Lodge is one of the five United Grand Lodges of Germany (VGLvD). It currently has members from a variety of nations and in addition to the "resident members" in Germany, there are "non-resident members" all over the world. Currently, 19 lodges work under the GL BFG, mainly in North Rhine-Westphalia, but also in Lower Saxony, Hamburg, Munich, Berlin and also near Frankfurt.GL-BFG, Lodges , accessed 14 November 2014
Ritual As with the other four Grand Lodges under the United Grand Lodges of Germany, the GL BFG is autonomous in matters of internal order and ritual. Of the Lodges of the GL BFG, 16 work in the English tradition with memorised English ritual texts using the ritual of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement as approved by the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE), one works a Scottish Ritual and there are two lodges which uses the aforementioned Emulation Ritual, but translated into the German language and consequently these Lodges work in the German language. The GL BFG also supports separate Masonic orders (e.g. Mark, Royal Arch Chapter) of nearly all the rituals of English Freemasonry.
History The GL BFG, like the American Canadian Grand Lodge of Ancient Free & Accepted Masonry (ACGL), was originally a military Masonic organisation for members of the Allied Forces in West Germany and was established as a district of the Grand Lodge AF & AM in 1957.
In 1959, the District Grand Lodge of British Freemasons in Germany was founded and was raised to a Provincial Grand Lodge under the GL AF & AM of Germany in 1962. It then became an autonomous Provincial Grand Lodge and equal partner within the United Grand Lodges of Germany in 1970 and one year later changed its name to Grand Land Lodge of British Freemasons in Germany. In 1980 the name was again changed to the Grand Lodge of British Freemasons in Germany. In 2022 the name was once again changed, this time to Grand Lodge of British Freemasonry in Germany as it was felt that as time has past, the Grand Lodge no longer supported a predominately British membership, but more of an international participation and therefore decided that the word Freemasons alone no longer reflected its overall aim. As such it was decided and agreed that it was British Freemasonry along with its ritual and members that it supported Germany.
Relationship to other Grand Lodges As a member of the United Grand Lodges of Germany (VGLvD), the GL BFG has ceded the sovereignty rights of representation to Freemasons outside of Germany and to the German public to the VGLvD and does not formally have direct relations with any Masonic body outside Germany. The VGLvD is recognised as a "regular" Grand Lodge by the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE).UGLE, Foreign Grand Lodges , accessed 24 August 2014 Through the VGLvD, it recognises the existence of the Women's Grand Lodge of Germany (Frauen Grossloge von Deutschland, FGLvD); however, other male organizations purporting to be Masonic lodges, that are not part of the VGLvD within Germany are not recognised.
The other four United Grand Lodges of Germany, which have widely varying traditions, are
Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Germany (Großloge der Alten Freien und Angenommenen Maurer von Deutschland, GL AFuAMvD) Grand Landlodge of the Freemasons of Germany (Große Landesloge der Freimaurer von Deutschland/ Freimaurerorden, GLL FvD/ FO) Große National-Mutterloge „Zu den drei Weltkugeln“ Grand National-Mother Lodge, "The Three World-Globes" (GNML 3WK) American Canadian Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M (ACGL)
Seal The seal of the Grand Lodge of British Freemasonry in Germany is a combination of images relevant to its early beginnings and whom it represents. Initially created using the seal of the United Grand Lodge of Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of Germany by Past Grand Master Theodor Vogel (31.07.1901 – 09.02.1977), Grand Master of the United Grand Lodges of Germany, It was combined with seal of the Grand Land Lodge of the Freemasons Order by adding a triangle and a key, to symbolise a trowel, to the lower chain link. The three sections of the chain represent "three times three" frequently found in German freemasonry. This seal is placed top & center to represent its seniority. Sitting below the seal are the images of the German Federal Eagle, to the left and a Lion representing United Kingdom to the right. Centrally placed are compass's, by which freemasons, symbolically, measure their life and conduct. The three castles represent, and are a reminder to, the original Provincial Grand Lodge of British Freemasons in Germany (1962 - 1971). The Latin moto ESTO PERPETUA means "Let it be Perpetual" but is here used in the form of "May it last forever".
Constituent lodges under GL BFG
New Albion Lodge No. 841 - Hamburg (Previously known since its consecration on 30 March 1957 as New Absalom Lodge No.841 located in Gütersloh. Changed to maintain peace and harmony and to avoid confusion with Hamburg established Lodge "Absalom zu den drei Nesseln Nr.1" after moving to its new location. Decided on 28 Apr 2020 & effective as of 1 Sep 2020 as per edict released by the current Grand Master Most Worshipful Brother Glyn Vincent Edmonds) Saxony Lodge No. 842 - Celle Britannia Lodge No. 843 - Bielefeld Phoenix Lodge No. 847 - Berlin Anglo Hanseatic Lodge No. 850 - Hamburg Star of Saxony Lodge No. 853 - Mönchengladbach – Rheindahlen Keys of Münster Lodge No. 881 - Münster Beaver Lodge No. 885 - Soest Doric Lodge No. 886 - Osnabrück Bond of Friendship Lodge No. 890 - Bonn Lodge Niederrhein Lodge No. 892 - Düsseldorf The Rose of Minden Lodge No. 918 - Herford Bridge of Fellowship Lodge No. 929 - Hanover (Hannover) Lodge Neuhaus No. 946 - Paderborn Southern Star Lodge No. 1025 - Munich (München) Thistle & Saltire Lodge No. 1040 - Berlin & Osnabrück Kurt Tucholsky Lodge No. 1060 - Münster Corinthian Lodge No. 1111 - Frankfurt Brothers of Hiram Lodge No. 1101 - Traveling Lodge
Constituent lodge briefs Saxony Lodge Number 842
The beginnings of Saxony Lodge No.842 can be tracked back to 1953 when the Hannover Branch was affiliated to the Association of British Freemasons. This association and its various branches became a focal point of masonic instruction and learning which enhanced interest and membership, the Hannover Branch well exceeded thirty in number and it made meeting in the homes of its members impossible and so a committee were tasked with finding a suitable location. Stirling House (Kurt Schumacher Kaserne) in Hannover, the headquarters of Hannover and Hamburg districts, was used for the majority of meetings. Furniture was acquired from surplus held by the British Army and ingenious craftsmen produced folding tables and other lodge furnishings that made holding lodges of instruction easier. Meetings were held once a month, but no regular day was found due to Stirling house being in use by the military, the British Military Hospital in Hannover was used when Stirling House was unavailable.
At these meetings the only permanent officers were preceptor, secretary and treasurer, no members were allowed to hold office for more than one meeting. The meetings only consisted of opening, closing and ceremony rehearsals, these were so popular that there was a waiting list for the lodge offices. These meetings continued until 1957, when the news was received that fraternal relations had been restored between the United Grand Lodge of England and the German masonic constitutions. Permission was applied for to form a lodge under the German constitution with dispensation to conduct business and ceremonies, using Emulation Ritual, in the English language. This application was sent to the Grand Master of Ancient and Free Accepted Masons.
Saxony Lodge No.842 was consecrated im May 1957, the hard work and perseverance of the founding members laid the foundation to a lodge that is still has a strong presence in Celle. Today the lodge works under the framework of the Grand Lodge of British Freemasonry in Germany, one of the five partner Grand Lodges that make the United Grand Lodges of Germany. The lodge has evolved from a lodge membership of predominantly British servicemen to an international lodge with members of many nations.
Lodge seal The Lodge Seal/ Jewel ("Jewel" is the term used within masonry to describe an ornament worn on the chest or around the neck on a collar, typically displaying the Lodge crest or seal) is dominated by the rearing stallion that is represented widely within Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony) and stands proudly on the Niedersachsen flag. The Founders Jewel has the added ribbon of yellow and white which represents the colors of Celle, where are lodge was founded in 1957. Copies of which are held in the Celle town archives along with the consecration summons.
Lodge house It was through the recommendation Grand Master of Ancient and Free Accepted Masons that the Lodge house in Magnus Strasse 2a, Celle could be used as the permanent masonic home of Saxony Lodge No.842.
Ritual The lodge practices its masonic ritual in the English language following the English constitution provided by the United Grand Lodge of England
The Keys of Münster Lodge Number 881 The Keys of Münster Lodge No. 881 was consecrated on 13 January 1962 as a Lodge within the then Provincial Grand Lodge of British Freemasons in Germany. The Consecration took place in the Masonic Temple belonging to the local German Lodge "Zu den Drey Balken" (consecrated on 3 October 1778) in Münster. There has always been close relationship between the two Lodges that has continued and indeed strengthened over the year’s right up to the present time. In Masonic terms the lodge name "Keys of Münster", was appropriately chosen as it represents the friendship and bond between Freemasons. Several British Brethren of the Lodge "Keys of Munster" No. 881 becoming dual members of the Lodge "Zu den Drey Balken" No. 127.
Lodge seal The Lodge seal/jewel depicts the Town of Münster with the crossed Keys incorporated into it. It is a combination of the crossed keys logo of the 2nd Infantry Division, who were part of the British Army of the Rhein (BAOR), stationed in Münster and the local Münster Town Hall (Rathaus) logo, combining the City of Münster and the British Military with Freemasonry universal.
Lodge house Is located at Diepenbrockstraße 30, 48145 Münster Germany.
Ritual The lodge practices its masonic ritual in the English language following the English constitution provided by the United Grand Lodge of England
The Rose of Minden Lodge Number 918