The industrial development during the 19th and early 20th century had already established a Masonic Lodge in Ironbridge and Wellington, Shropshire and it was inevitable that, following the First World War, the busy Market Town of Oakengates should be thinking of its own lodge, indeed many gentlemen of Oakengates were already members of the two Lodges in East Shropshire.
The first meeting of interested members or Founders was held on the 7th May 1937 when it was decided to ask St Milburga Lodge No. 1120 of Ironbridge to sponsor the Lodge at Oakengates, the Lodge to be called Uxacona.
The name Uxacona was derived as follows:
The name of Oakengates as a first settlement no doubt evolves from the Brythonic word of Usu-con or Ocon to be later Romanised to Usca-cona early after the entry of the Romans when in AD54 they founded the Roman city of Uriconium. During the Roman period of occupation up to AD 600, the original word of Usco-cona was translated to Uxacona.
This then seemed an appropriate name for the intended new Lodge at Oakengates, being that name whence the town of Oakengates was derived.
At the meeting of the 4th may 1937 and subsequently of the 23rd November 1937, the following main resolutions were passed which were to form the main criteria for Uxacona Lodge No. 5725 today:
- To apply to Provincial Grand Lodge for permission to form a Lodge at Oakengates.
- To invite members of St Milburga, St John's and Audley Lodges to become founder members (the reigning Worshipful Masters of these Lodges are, to this day, voted, each year, as Honorary Guests of Uxacona Lodge).
- The Lodge shall meet, when registered, on the last Thursday of each month, September to April inclusive.
- Evening Dress to be worn at all Lodge Ceremonies.
The Warrant of the Lodge was signed by the United Grand Lodge of England on the 2nd February 1938.
On a further meeting on 5th May 1938, the initial officers of the Lodge were elected.
The Consecration of Uxacona Lodge No.5724 took place at Wrockwardine Wood Senior School on the 9th June 1938 at 3.30pm at which 116 Freemasons were present and of the 24 Founder Members, 17 members were from St Milburga Lodge No. 1120.
Lodge meetings of Uxacona Lodge were held, for the first 21 years at Wombridge Parish Hall and were then moved to the Forest Glen, Wellington.
At the Lodge meeting of the 25th April 1968, a unanimous approval was given to proceed with the purchase of a property in Wellington suitable as adoption as a Masonic Temple in order to unite the five East Shropshire Lodges in one building.
After due legal, planning and financial matters were settled, the buildings of the old Constitution Hill School were purchased and the Wrekin Masonic Association was formed comprising representatives of the five East Shropshire Lodges.
After 21 years at the Wrekin Parish Hall and 10 years at the Forest Glen, Uxacona Lodge found a permanent home at the Wrekin Masonic Temple, Constitution Hill , Wellington.
The Installation Meeting of Uxacona Lodge, held on the 25th September 1969, was the first meeting in the new temple and has been its home to the present day.
