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International Gathering of the Lodges Named For St. Alban

The 62nd Annual International Gathering of the Lodges Named For St. Alban

Hosted by the Freimaurerloge St. Alban zum Æchten Feuer Nr. 150a, A. F. & A. M.
Held September 4 - 6, 2015 in Hoya on the Weser, Germany

In the morning of September 5 the Brethren assembled in the ancient baroque Church of St. Martin (now a Cultural Centre taken over by the Town) in Hoya, a town of 4,000 inhabitants, where the Freemasons Lodge St. Alban to the true Fire has worked since the year 1786.

The Brethren had assembled in this beautiful building due to the limited space available at the meeting place (Lodge House) of the German Brethren of Hoya, for conducting the business meeting of the International Body, and to hold a Lodge of Instruction, where Bro. Alfred Wilke gave an outline in German and English of the "Form of the Lodge" and the "World Chain of Brotherhood", under the direction of Bro. Adam An-tAthair-Siorai, IPM of the hosting lodge.

While the Brethren worked these two meetings, our Ladies were bussed to Bremen for a guided tour of the city. In the evening we all joined together for a banquet at a beautiful hall nearby.

The Church - View of the East

The South

The West

The North

The American Brethren walking to the Church

The Albanian Delegation

The Master, W. Bro. A. Jonda, and Bro. Adam welcoming the Visitors

The Brethren assemble in the West

The Travelling Chest of the Hosting Lodge

The "Lights" and Top Hat (worn by the German Brethren) and the ceremonial Sword

The Rough Ashlar, the Three symbolic Roses, and the Flamberge (Flammenschwert)

The officers' Collars and Jewels

The Chairman (Bro. John Clyburn) calls the Business Meeting to order

Bro. Ian D. Nichols leads the Brethren in the Opening Prayer

The Business Meeting having ended, the Church is set up as a Lodge Room

In the East: the Master's Desk and the Altar

On the Master's desk, the Flamberge and the Three Roses

Bro. Adam describes the German Lodge Room,

and the ceremonial usage of the Flamberge

Three Candles on the Master's Desk (The Source of Light), and the "Three Great Lights" on the Altar

The Three Great Pillars are brought in,

and Bro. Adam explains them

Candles (our "Lesser Lights") are placed on top of the Pillars

Bro. Adam explains the Lodge "Bijou" worn by all members of the hosting Lodge

The Bijou of the Freimaurerloge St. Alban zum Æchten Feuer i.O. Hoya/Weser

The Rough Ashlar of the E. A. is placed at the foot of the Floor Tapestry

The Wardens' Desks are placed in the West (J. Warden's on the left, S. Warden's on the right)

Here Bro. Adam explains the symbolic meaning of the red, pink, and white roses.

Bro. Adam then requested no photos be taken while the Lodge was at work.   The W. Master called the Brethren to order; the Director of Ceremonies (Bro. Hermann Bischoff) reported the lodge properly tyled, and the W. Master proceeded with the opening of the Lodge.

The Opening of the Lodge in this part of the Masonic world is conducted in the most moving, meaningful, in its elegant simplicity, dignified manner.   A musical interlude followed, as to prepare the Brethren for the seriousness of what was going to happen.   Bro. Alfred Wilke then gave an explanation of the "Form of the Lodge" and the "World Chain of Brotherhood" in German and English.   At the conclusion of this explanation, and before the Lodge would close, Beethoven's "Ode an die Freude" (Ode to Joy) is played — as to remind the Brethren, that in the Sanctuary of our Lodges "Alle Menschen werden Brüder" (all men are/become Brothers).   The Lodge was then closed in an equally dignified manner.

After the Closing the Brethren assembled in the West for a commemorative picture, happy for the work well done.   We then all walked to the Freimaurerloge St. Alban zum Æchten Feuer's Logenhaus, where we enjoyed a delicious lunch, drinks and friendship.

The Logenhaus

This is definitely the address.   Where is the Logenhaus?

These Pictures are familiar - - -

A discreet door, in the distant anonymity

In the back lane: This must be the Logenhaus

The Lodge Room upstairs

The familiar Stein, Spitzhammer and Tapis

The Office and Archives

Familiar Decorations

Cramped quarters — but delicious Lunch.

After lunch we returned to our hotels to rejoin our Ladies who had been visiting the city of Bremen, refresh and prepare for the evening Banquet.

The Ladies Excursion

On the bus, crossing the River Weser, on the way to Bremen

It was a rainy day - - -

Finding shelter under the Gallery

A measured look at the Monument in the Marketsquare

The rain subsided.   The Ladies look amused at the Tour Guide flirting with Kelly

Oh well!

Viewing many beautiful Buildings, too many to include them all here

On the way encountering some strange Characters on Walls, and

here and there, standing still.

Lunch Time approaching, the tour Guide stopped at a Candy Store - - -

then at a Pastry Store but - the store Keeper did not allow this hungry Mob in - - -

and the starving Ladies had to settle for plain sandwiches.

The Banquet

Getting together for Cocktails and Friendship

Bros. Alfred Wilke and Vincent Lombardo

Bro. Adam invites all to be seated

Bro. John Clyburn's Welcoming Address

The Quinte St. Alban's Delegation: Ian, Jean, Vince and Sylvia

Lady Ann-Sophie Wasner, Mayor (Bürgemeisterin) of Hoya welcomes the Visitors on behalf of the Town.

Extolling the work done by the Freemasons for the Town and the Community throughout the centuries.

The W. Master, Bro. A. Jonda, thanks the Mayor for her kind words, and opens the Dance.

Bro. Clyburn with two special Ladies

With our heartfelt thanks to the Brethren of the Freimaurerloge St. Alban zum Æchten Feuer Nr. 150a, A. F. & A. M.