[Extracts from the St Helier list compiled for the National Trust for Jersey by C E B Brett, published by the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society in 1977.]
1864; by Thomas Gallichan; builder, de la Mare. Built at a time
when "total membership of the five Lodges in the island did
not exceed 120", but the building "amply sufficed for
the needs of 1000 members." Brother Gallichan, a member of
Loge la Césarée, supplied "little touches of
Ma~onic symbolism in various parts of the building." Extraordinarily
heavy and forbidding Corinthian stucco monster. "It is erected
in style purely Corinthian, and is constructed of brick and cement
with granite facings. It exhibits a finely proportioned building,
classical in appearance, and beautiful as regards detailing"
according to Hill. The side view to Oxford Road is quite overwhelming,
but this is really a sham, for the building is L-shaped. The round-headed
windows in the side are closed by louvres, those in the front
are all hermetically sealed with shutters (one feels the Masonic
secrets are safe here if anywhere). The upper two-thirds of the
tetrastyle Corinthian portico constitute a cage of chicken wire
to keep out (or in?) birds. The cast-iron posts and rails are
of quite astonishing heaviness, thickness and quantity.
Refs: Hill p.99; Knocker, Freemasonry in Jersey, passim; Freemasons'
Magazine Dec 1862; Chronique 28 May 1864.
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Beside the old church hall, an arcaded house (peculiar enough
in itself) absolutely covered all over - the front wall too -
in semi-biblical graffiti, including some surprising spellings
and abbreviations. Altogether, so bizarre as to be enjoyable;
but one is quite enough.
Ref: (cf Raymond Queneau, Les Fleurs Bleues)
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