The St. John's (Secunderabad)
| St. John's Masonic Hall & Temple
(Freemasons' Hall) | |
|---|---|
Coat of arms of The St. John's Lodge, No. 434, EC | |
Interactive map of the St. John's Masonic Hall & Temple
(Freemasons' Hall) area | |
| General information | |
| Status | Completed |
| Type | Masonic Hall |
| Architectural style | Victorian |
| Location | Lodge No. 434 EC, Opposite YWCA, West Marredpally, Secunderabad, Telangana, India - 500026, Secunderabad, Telangana, India |
| Coordinates | 17°26′41″N 78°30′00″E / 17.44480°N 78.50005°E |
| Owner | St. John's Lodge No. 434 E.C. |
St. John's Masonic Hall & Temple also known as The St. John's, is a historic building located in West Marredpally, Secunderabad, Telangana, India, serving as a hub for Masonic activities in the region.
It is the primary meeting place of St. John's Lodge No. 434 EC. It has also been used by Golconda Lodge No. 3249 EC, Universal Peace No.1208 SC and other masonic lodges under the warrant of the Grand Lodge of India
History
St. John's Lodge No. 434 EC was founded on 16 August 1822 [1] by British military officers stationed in the Secunderabad Cantonment, a key base for the East India Company.[2] The foundation stone of the building was laid on 11 March 1824. The lodge gets its name from St. John's Church, located about a kilometer away.
Formally constituted in 1836 under the English Constitution, the lodge provided a space for officers to practice Freemasonry, fostering brotherhood and philanthropy. Its establishment reflects the cultural influence of the British military and its enduring legacy in Secunderabad. [2]
There was a story that it had originally been a church. Later, when the current St. John's Church was built about a quarter mile away, the old building was given to the Freemasons by the contractor.[2]
Six chairs now used by the Past Masters originally came from the Brighton Royal Pavilion and were sent to the British Residency at Chudderghat in the early 19th century. Though there's no official record, six were likely gifted to the Lodge. Richly gilt but lacking in taste and comfort, the chairs hold more historical value than practical use. [2]
On September 7, 1850, a proposal was made to nominate two prominent Muslim noblemen—the newly appointed Minister of Hyderabad and his nephew, Salar Jung I, but it failed due to a royal order restricting the Minister’s movement. Since Lodge meetings were held in Secunderabad, outside Hyderabad city, the Minister could not attend without special permission.
Activities
Many prominent members of the region, both British and Indian alike, have been part of the lodge, many of whose ancestors as far from the British Isles still continue to visit the lodge.[3]
Most members of the St. John's Lodge have also been members of the Secunderabad Club. It is primary meeting place of freemasonry in Secunderabad alongside Goshamahal Baradari.
Gallery
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Nawab Mir Yousuf Ali Khan, Salar Jung III andSir Akbar Hydari seen outside the St. John's.
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The St. John's photographed by Lala Deen Dayal, c. 1890s
-
Members of the Lodge, Asian Art Museum collection.
Notable people
Many notable people have been members of the lodge.
Lodge St. John No. 434 E.C.
- Lt-Col James Oliphant, (WM 1834, 1835)
- Major-General Otway Francis Smithers (WM 1866) [4]
- Cyril Walter Lloyd Jones CIE (Treasurer 1920s)
- Surgeon-Major Edward Lawrie
- Nawab Syed Hussain Bilgrami, CSI
- J.D.B. Gribble, ICS [5]
- S. H. C. Frankel, Nizam's photographer [6]
- F M B Rosenthal, Engineer [7]
Golconda Lodge No. 3249 E.C.
- Nawab Mir Yousuf Ali Khan, Salar Jung III, KCIE
- Sir Akbar Hydari, Kt., PC
- Lt-Col Richard Gilbert ‘Reggie’ Lees OBE, Father of Australian writer Richard Flanagan [8]
Lodge Ekram 756 S.C.
Mayo No. 1406 E.C.
References
- ^ Ars Quatuor Coronatorum : Being the Transactions of the Lodge Quatuor Coronati, No. 2076. Vol. 59.
- ^ a b c d Gribble, J. D. B. (James Dunning Baker) (1910). History of Freemasonry in Hyderabad (Deccan). University of California Libraries. Madras : Higginbothan.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: publisher location (link) - ^ Kaushik, Shrimansi (8 November 2024). "British woman traces her family history to Secunderabad". www.deccanchronicle.com. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
- ^ "Friends of Newtown Road Cemetery - Personal Details". www.fnrcnewbury.org.uk. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
- ^ J.D.B Gribble (1924). A History Of The Deccan.
- ^ Angela, Dr Genevive (4 June 2015). "Living A Life Of Gratitude: Frankel's studio". Living A Life Of Gratitude. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
- ^ Today, Telangana (19 March 2025). "'108' year-old staircase remains testament to modern developments at Gandhi Hospital". Telangana Today. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
- ^ "R G Lees – Old Wellingtonian Lodge no. 3404 – Masonic Lodge". www.owl3404.org. Retrieved 31 December 2025.
- ^ "Masonic recipients of the Victoria Cross". freemasonry.bcy.ca. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
- ^ "Charles Blackburn Dunlop - Graces Guide". www.gracesguide.co.uk. Retrieved 2 October 2025.