It is evident from our history that many eminent masons from many lodges, as well as our own, have contributed to our history; which is a part of the history of Freemasonry in Sheffield, the Province of Yorkshire, West Riding, the United Grand Lodge of England and of Freemasonry.

On reaching our centenary, we thank the Great Architect for his assistance and for the contribution that our forebears in the Grand Lodge above have made and as present members of the craft we look forward to continuing the work begun in our lodge 100 years ago.

In 1907 masonic friends of Ensor Drury led by Bro. W. J. Cooper of the Britannia Lodge, decided to found a Lodge and to name it, “Ensor Drury”.
The petition was presented with the support of the Royal Brunswick Lodge, some of whose members became our founders, including Ensor Drury himself.

On the 21st January 1908, Ensor Drury Lodge No. 3278 was consecrated by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of West Yorkshire, W. Bro. Richard Wilson and Ensor Drury was Installed as the first Master.

This event, culminating in the Consecration of the Lodge formed a lasting memorial to one who had devoted a lifetime to Masonry and whose name would live as long as the craft flourished.

Ensor Drury had been initiated in 1859, at the age of 21 years, in the Britannia Lodge. The following year he joined the Royal Brunswick Lodge and was its Master in 1862 and 1866. Provincial honours were conferred in 1872 when he was made Prov. Grand Junior Warden and 25 years later he was honoured with Grand Rank.

As a member of the Chapter of Loyalty he was “Z” in 1865, 1873 and 1909. In Chapter of Paradise he occupied the same chair in 1867.

In spite of all these Masonic duties he became a founder of Britannia Mark Lodge, the De Furnival Preceptory of Knights Templar and a member of the Talbot Rose Croix Chapter, and he occupied too, their respective chairs.

Ensor Drury was renowned as a ritualist. He travelled the Province giving the Mystical Lecture, Installing the Three Principals or, by command of The Grand Superintendant, Consecrating a new Chapter.

The mid 19th Century found masonry far from flourishing in Sheffield and Ensor Drury and Martin de Bartolme we owe a great debt, for in his career of just 55 years he saw sound, steady progress made in the Craft. We today enjoy the fruits of great interest and great labour.

The Master’s chair bearing his profile was presented in 1911 by Bro. Sir John Bingham as “an appreciation of Ensor Drury’s services to masonry and to celebrate the 50th anniversary as his 1st Installation as Master of a lodge”. The portrait that still hangs today was presented in 1887 and was subscribed for by two Sheffield Chapters and Companions of five other towns.

Ensor Drury Lodge had been consecrated and met at the Masonic Hall in Surrey Street, but in 1967 Tapton Hall was opened and twenty four Sheffield Lodges took up residence there.

Many of the portraits still on display at Tapton Hall are of Brethren who, in some way have a connection with Ensor Drury Lodge; Robert Arnison, Henry Pawson, W. E. Gray, F. G. Cornu, Charles Stokes and G. Michael Nunn.

In January 1950 discussions were started about the foundation of a new Lodge to be known as Cathedral Lodge.

At the 50th Anniversary Installation, on Tuesday 21st January 1958, W. Bro. J. H. Hancock was installed in the Master’s Chair.

The Grand Master at this time was M. W. Bro. The Rt. Hon. The Earl of Scarborough. The provincial Grand Master was R. W. Bro. Henry Clifford Smith, who attended the ceremony and responded to the “Toast to Province” at the installation dinner.

One of the founders of the Lodge, W. Bro. Norton Milner P. A. G. D. C. Was still a subscribing member, but sadly in the February minutes, the Master reports that he had died.

A new banner was presented to the lodge by W. Bro. Walter Morrison.

Ensor Drury Lodge still meets today with the memory of the illustrious first Master ever present among the brethren who try to keep up the great traditions and the tenants of Freemasonry laid down by him, as a tribute to a great man.

Lodge Ladies Meetings



All ladies of visiting brethren are welcome to join our lodge ladies, who meet every month on our lodge nights for a meal and chat at Tapton Hall. Please contact the WM or his lady through your usual lodge or NEC channels.











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