As a Master Mason you will have some knowledge of King Solomon’s Temple. The Mark degree focuses on the practicalities of the building work, and the different strengths and skills of the builders.

The ceremony of Advancement is based on the preparation for the building of King Solomon’s Temple and follows the fate of an ambitious craftsman (the candidate) seeking promotion in his trade by demonstrating his skill and ability.

In the early part of the ceremony his talents go unrecognised and his hopes are dashed but eventually he triumphs over adversity and is justly rewarded for his work. It is a wonderful ceremony containing elements of drama and humour, and, above all, strong moral lessons.

The concept of Masons as “living stones” being built into a spiritual house in parallel with the construction of the Temple, is a powerful theme in the Degree.

In  previous  times  when  Craft  Lodges  were  very  hierarchical  and formalised, Mark Lodges were seen as friendly and more egalitarian. This distinction is not so evident these days, but Mark Lodges continue to be seen as happy places, where the positives are accentuated and close friendships are valued.

Being the third largest order in terms of number, the Provincial team are able to be more involved with most Lodge meetings, offering support when wanted.

Accessible social events, involving whole families are an important part of the Mark ethos, and charitable giving continues to be essential when possible

Any Master Mason who has been such for four weeks or more. Application is made to a Mark Lodge Secretary who will make the necessary arrangements. No invitation is required although you will require a proposer and seconder.

In addition to the usual dark suit and white collar, Mark Masons wear a Masonic apron with dark red and blue trim, together with a distinctive keystone breast jewel. No gloves are worn in Mark Masonry and it is usual to wear a Provincial tie.

Marks  have been found on structures dating as far back as ancient Egypt and, since 1100 CE, throughout Europe in castles, churches and the great cathedrals.

The first mention of a brother being made a Mark Mason was at a Lodge in Newcastle in January 1756, although earlier references to a brother having “received his mark’ are known. However, it is not clear from these records whether a degree ceremony was being worked.

The earliest records of a speculative Mark degree being worked in England are those of Royal Arch Chapter No 257 at Portsmouth on 1 September 1769 when several brethren were made Mark Masons and Mark Masters. It was introduced to the Chapter by that very well-known Masonic figure, Thomas Dunkerley.

The early Mark Degrees were closely associated with the Royal Arch, as they still are in many parts of the world. Their development probably followed soon after that of the Royal Arch. Many different ceremonies were known to exist, parts of which would be recognisable to the present day.

It is also clear that the Mark Degrees were worked in Craft Lodges and in Royal Arch Chapters up until 1813. The existence of independent Mark Lodges at this time is not known, although one lodge, the Lodge of Hope, Bradford, conferred the Degree under a constitution originating from a body called “The Grand Lodge of All England, held at York’.

The Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons was established in 1856 and is now based at 86 St James’s Street in London. The first Grand Master was the 2nd Lord Leigh, who was at the time Provincial Grand Master for the Craft in Warwickshire.

Successive Grand Masters have included many eminent freemasons including Earls and Dukes and members of the Royal Family, including the future Edward VII. Since 1982, H.R.H. Prince Michael of Kent has been Grand Master.

In Warwickshire

The Oldest Lodge in Warwickshire is Howe & Athol Lodge of Mark Master  Masons, T.I.  (formerly Howe  M.M.M. lodge T.I. ) which reached its 150th anniversary in 2000. There are currently 26 Mark Lodges meeting throughout Warwickshire, and at most Masonic centers. They meet an average of 3 times a year, together with the usual committee meetings and Rehearsals.

Royal Ark Mariners

The Ancient and Honourable Fraternity of Royal Ark Mariner, more commonly known as RAM, has been under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons since 1871 and governed by the Grand Master’s Royal Ark Council. However, its early history is obscure. Statutes refer to Grand Lodge being reconstituted in 1772. It is recorded that the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons took possession of the rights to the Grand Lodge of Royal Ark Mariner on 10 June 1884 for just £25.

Lodges of Royal Ark Mariners assume the number of the Mark Master Masons Lodge to which they are attached. The Degree does not have a Provincial or District structure, it is governed by the administration for Mark Master Masons in each Province.

Qualification for membership is that of Mark Master Mason. A candidate for the Chair of Worshipful Commander must have been Worshipful Master of a lodge of Mark Master Masons, but a dispensation can be applied for where this is not the case.

To discover the true link between the second and third degrees in Craft Freemasonry. Our enlightening ceremony teaches you, as a Craftsman, invaluable and practical lessons and how to apply them as you conduct yourself through life. You will also gain a clearer understanding of many of the terms, phrases and characters which have been introduced to you during your journey through Craft Masonry.

To find out why we are called the friendly degree. Ask any Mark Master Mason to describe the Mark Degree and they will invariably smile first and then tell you that it is a most friendly of Masonic Orders. Brotherly love is the keystone of Mark Masonry and the friendliness of the degree is clearly seen and experienced in our Lodge rooms in the genuine warmth of welcome that is universally extended among all Mark Masons. Indeed, whilst our message is key, there is no doubt that among Mark Master Masons you will ever find friends.

To help you better understand the Holy Royal Arch. One of the consequences of the 1813 union between the Ancient’s and Moderns in England was the specific recognition of the three Craft degrees only, including the Holy Royal Arch, thus excluding the Mark Degree.

As a result of this, a Craft Mason who joins other orders before the Mark Degree may be confused by their symbolism. Our degree aids your understanding by adding essential background to the history of the construction of the Temple, the importance of the Keystone and the

work of the Overseers. Interestingly, in other recognised constitutions, the Mark Degree can be conferred in either Craft Lodges or Royal Arch Chapters and indeed is an essential pre-requisite before exaltation into a Chapter can take place.

It is a bridge to other Orders in Masonry.

At least four other orders require you to be a Mark Master Mason before you can discover their symbolism and further aid your Masonic knowledge and journey.

Social Activities.

As you would expect from the friendly Degree, we are a sociable order with a variety of Masonic, family and sporting activities for you to enjoy. Throughout the year we host many local and Provincial events from a family luncheon and a Burns Night, to golf and cricket tournaments and Masonic lectures and sponsored walks.

Charitable Giving – He gives twice who gives promptly  

The Mark Benevolent Fund (Mark Benevolent Fund) is a registered charity which came into existence in 1868 on the suggestion of the Reverend George Raymond Portal, Grand Master of the Mark Degree.

His views on charity were far more radical and progressive than the general thinking of the time. He felt that for charity to be effective it had to be disbursed swiftly and without the bureaucratic formalities of other Masonic charities. To him it was wrong for there to be any delay in providing assistance to those in need and his own Latin tag “Bis dat qui cito dat” – he gives twice who gives promptly – became, and still is, the principal guideline of the Mark Benevolent Fund.