Amberley

Consecrated 30th May 1882

The forerunner of the Lodge was The Northern Star Lodge No 1173, established at Leithfield five km south of Amberley in 1867. By 1873 the Lodge had disappeared, and the Charter was erased by the United Grand Lodge of England on 10th May 1881. A number of the Brethren were involved with the establishment of The Amberley Lodge 2007 E.C. which came into being on the 30th May 1882 with seven foundations, and twelve joining members; with four initiated members admitted in June 1882. Three neighbouring Lodges The Southern Cross Lodge No 760 E.C. (which became The Southern Cross Lodge No 6 New Zealand Constitution, now dormant); The Ashley Lodge No 1877 E.C. (now The Ashley Lodge No 28 N.Z.C.); and The Rangiora Lodge No 994 E.C. (now dormant); gave ready assistance to the setting up of our Lodge.

It remains today, as the only surviving English Constitution Lodge in North Canterbury. The others moved to the New Zealand Constitution on its establishment in 1892. Amberley is a small rural North Canterbury town (pop. 1200), some 47 km north of the city of Christchurch, some 30 minutes’ drive.

The Amberley Lodge has a strong membership and serves the wider North Canterbury and Hurunui districts. It has a reputation of making their visitors feel very welcome.

The Lodge rooms were built in 1925 and would be the envy of many larger Lodges. The temple is the same as what it was at the time of building, with a large refectory complex adjacent. Some years ago the District Grand Lodge, South Island, New Zealand, made finance available for the building of a large strong room; which today are housed many of the historical records of English Freemasonry; dating back to the mid 1850s. Sadly there are records of the number of Lodges that have disappeared over the years.