On Wednesday the 11th of March 2020, the brethren of Ceres Lodge No. 6977 enjoyed a daily advancement in their Masonic knowledge when WBro Ian Nelson gave a presentation on his experiences of Freemasonry in Virginia.
WBro Ian Nelson
WBro Ian explained why each state in the USA has two grand lodges before providing additional information about the Grand Lodge of Virginia, which was constituted in 1778.
Ian spoke of his Virginia lodge, Richmond Randolph Lodge No. 19, and its home at Masons' Hall, which is located in Richmond’s Shockoe Bottom District and is reputedly the oldest continually-used Masonic lodge in the western hemisphere.
He highlighted some of the differences in the ritual between Virginia and UGLE, and how the temple-layout at Masons' Hall differs from that experienced by Masons meeting at Northampton.
Ian emphasised the fact that there is no comprehensive ritual-book to learn from in Virginia, but that each brother must learn the ritual from a mentor who teaches it from mouth to ear.
Ian, who is a life member in perpetuity of Richmond Randolph Lodge No. 19, and a holder of a Grand Lodge of Virginia Certificate of Appreciation, was happy to take questions before the Lodge brethren and its visitors retired for a very enjoyable festive board.