About The Masonic Hall
Documents in the possession of Windsor Castle Lodge No. 771 suggest that
the building dates its origin from 1725. Although reputed by some
sources to be the work of
Sir Christopher Wren there is no documentary
proof to support this. It is, however, possible that his advice on
the design was sought as he was a resident of Windsor for many years
and he was instrumental in the building of the Guildhall in 1702.
The building served as a Charity School from 1725 until 1862 when,
the Royal Free School having transferred to a new building in
Bachelor’s Acre, the old schoolhouse in Church Lane was sold to the
newly consecrated Windsor Castle Lodge for £500.
Considerable alterations were carried out and the new Temple was
dedicated on 24th November, 1864 by V.W.Bro. Aeneas McIntyre, Q.C.,
Grand Registrar in charge of the combined Province of Berkshire and
Buckinghamshire. The ceremony was followed by a banquet at the
Guildhall for some eighty freemasons, the bill for which amounted to
£26.6s.Od.