Port Harcourt Sports - port harcourt lodge no. 3881 e.c.
26 William Jumbo Street,
Old GRA
(very close to Government House).
The first Lodge to be formed in Nigeria was Lagos Lodge No 1171 in 1867.
Port Harcourt Lodge was founded in 1918 and consecrated in 1919 and is one of the few older remaining active Lodges in the country.
Originally the Lodge met in a ‘bush hut’ in the grounds of Port Harcourt Prison. Later permission was received to build a better bush building on ground belonging to Nigerian Railways. The current building was constructed on what was then the Port Harcourt Outer Circle in 1921 and remains in use today with various modifications over the years.
During the Civil War the Warrant was smuggled out of Port Harcourt and for a period the Regular Meetings were held by dispensation at St Georges Lodge in Lagos with the Brethren returning to Port Harcourt in 1971.
The Lodge is still primarily regarded as the ‘expatriate’ Lodge in Port Harcourt, but due to the decline in resident expatriates over time more Nigerians have been encouraged to become members, with the first of four Nigerian Master being installed in 1987.
Although 3881 is an English Constitution Lodge we welcome and regularly receive brethren from both the Scottish and Irish Constitutions.
Little has changed over the years. Lodge Regular Meetings are held in the evenings on the third Friday of month expect May, when Installation Meeting is held on a Saturday evening. The mode of dress remains dinner jacket, bow ties and white gloves, although visitors can attend in a dark suit and black tie.
One custom which preserves is the collection at Regular Meetings for the Worshipful Master’s Charity. Each new Master is free to nominate the charity or charities he wishes to endow at the end of his term.
The Lodge Committee meets on the Monday following the regular meeting. In addition practice meetings are held on the other Mondays of the month usually starting about 6.30pm.
All Masonic visitors are welcome at either the Regular Meeting or for a drink around the bar on Monday’s. Likewise, non Masons are also invited and welcome any Monday evening should they wish to learn more about Freemasonry.
The Lodge is located at 26 William Jumbo Street, Old GRA (very close to Government House).
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