| The Hebden Bridge Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons Masonic Hall, Hangingroyd Lane, Hebden Bridge | |
| THE WEST WING MASONIC WINDOW | |
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1. Prince Fredrick Lodge formed on January 28th 1796 and held meetings in the “Ring o’ Bells” public house by the Parish church in Halifax. 2. On 17th July 1809 the Lodge moved to Heptonstall and held its meetings at the Stag hotel in Heptonstall. On this momentous day, 57 craft Masons, 23 Royal Arch Masons and 33 Knights Templar “formed a line of procession and, accompanied by the band, marched to the church of StThomas a Beckett, The day being one of consecration and rejoicing” 3. Following the gale damage in 1847, rather than repair the church circa 1180 it was decide to build a new one on the other side of the churchyard. It took 7 years to build and the cost was locally borne. The Freemasons in the area being especially prominent. 4. On 15th May 1850 the Masonic Lodge Prince Frederick No. 307 of Hebden Bridge and Freemasons of Yorkshire West Riding together with Church Dignitaries, laid the North East corner stone of the New St. Thomas's Church. 5. In 1854, the top part of the West Wing Window was completed with Masonic glass. On the 23rd April 1898, the bottom four panels of the Window were completed, the designers being Myers of Munich, Germany. |
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| 2nd ROW LEFT | The Plumb Rule (the sign of the Junior Warden). Book of Amos Chapter 7 Verses 6 & 7, "The Lord said I will set in plumb line in the midst of my people Israel, l will not again pass by them anymore". |
| 2nd ROW 2nd LEFT | Jacobs Ladder, Book of Genesis, Chapter 28 Verse 12. "And He dreamed and behold a ladder set up on Earth and the top of it reached to Heaven, and behold the Angels of God ascending and descending on it". |
| 2nd ROW CENTRE | The all seeing Eye of God. |
| 2nd ROW 2nd RIGHT | The Volume of the Sacred Law (The Bible) "We must act and obey the divine laws of our Creator". |
| 2nd ROW RIGHT | The level (the sign of the Senior Warden) "We are all sprung from the same stock. Partakers of the same nature and sharers in the same hope". |
| THE FOUR MIDDLE WINDOWS | |
| FIRST RIGHT | The Almighty as the good shepherd Psalm 23 "The Lord is my Shepherd". |
| FIRST LEFT | The Almighty with his book and pen "Your words and actions will be observed and recorded and to which you must give an account when leaving this mortal life". |
| CENTRE | The two Pillars which stood at the porchway or entrance to King Solomon's Temple 2nd Book of Chronicles Chapter 3 Verse 17, and 1st Book of Kings Chapter 7 Verse 21 "And He set up the pillars in the porch of the temple and He set up the right pillar and called the name there of Jachin and He set up the left pillar and called it Boaz". Jachin was the assistant High Priest who officiated at the dedication of the temple. Boaz was the great grandfather of David, a Prince and Ruler in Israel. |
| BOTTOM FOUR WINDOWS lS BASED ON THE SECOND BOOK OF CHRONICLES Chapter 6 Verses 12 & 13 | |
| FIRST RIGHT | 'Solomon kneeling on a brazen scaffold 5 cubits long 5 cubits broad set in the midst of the court before all the congregation of Israel (13lh Verse). Whilst there are three priests - one kneeling behind Solomon on the brazen scaffold and the other two kneeling on the ground facing Solomon and Incence is burning in a vessel of gold on the floor. |
| 2nd RIGHT | Three more figures all priest - four are standing in reverential attitude whilst the other is kneeling with his face turned devotionally towards Solomon. |
| 2nd LEFT | Six of the congregation of Israel in various attitudes of reverence. In the background are two palm trees which indicate that they are in the outer court of the temple in which the Laity always remained. |
| FIRST LEFT | Four more of the faithful. Under each of the windows are from left to right - The Masonic attributes - Brotherly Love, Relief, Truth, Fidelity, Charity, Peace and Harmony. |
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