Southern Star Lodge No. 735 EC
Southern Star Lodge No. 735 is a Freemasons Lodge under the register of the United Grand Lodge of England, based in Nelson and meeting at the Nelson Tasman Masonic Centre, 443c Nayland Road.
We are part of a long-standing Masonic presence in the Nelson region and continue to meet regularly in a spirit of fellowship, tradition, and personal development.
Our History
The origins of Southern Star Lodge go back to the earliest days of Nelson’s settlement.
In May 1842, only four months after the first immigrants arrived, local Freemasons met at the Freemasons Tavern on the corner of Bridge and Trafalgar Streets to discuss forming a Lodge. Although that first meeting did not result in immediate action, the idea remained alive.
By 1846, correspondence confirmed that authority to form a Lodge would need to come from the Provincial Grand Master in Sydney, highlighting the challenges of establishing Freemasonry in a young colony.
One of the key figures in the Lodge’s formation was Thomas Sullivan, who later became the first Master and served for two years. He was also instrumental in establishing the Oddfellows in Nelson. It is recorded that he and fellow passengers aboard the Martha Ridgway, which arrived on 4 April 1842, held regular meetings in the ship’s long boat, reflecting the strong fraternal bonds among early settlers.
Captain Richard Scott, Master of the brig Spray, acted as an intermediary between Nelson Freemasons and the District Grand Lodge of New South Wales. Under dispensation from the District Grand Master, he presided over the foundation meeting of Southern Star Lodge on 4 October 1853.
Our Lodge Through Time
In its early years, the Lodge met in local hotels before building its own hall in Trafalgar Street in 1858, on land now forming part of the Nelson Museum.
Financial challenges in the early 1860s led to the sale of this building, after which the Lodge met in various venues, at times even renting back the hall it had constructed. That building was eventually demolished in 1915.
In 1885, the Lodge built the Masonic Temple in Collingwood Street, which remained its home for more than 130 years. In 2019, due to the increasing cost of maintaining the ageing building, it was sold.
Plans were made to relocate to the Masonic Centre in Nile Street, however this building was severely damaged by fire in November 2019. Following this, the Lodge met in temporary venues before establishing its current home at the Nelson Tasman Masonic Centre.
Our Membership
Since its foundation, approximately 1,200 men have been initiated into Southern Star Lodge.
Membership reached its peak in the 1960s with around 180 members. Today, the Lodge maintains a membership of close to 50 brethren, with a strong core of regular attendees at monthly meetings.
Our Meetings
We meet on the 4th Tuesday of each month (except October and December).
Our meetings are followed by a time of fellowship, where members gather to share a meal, conversation, and camaraderie.
Each January, we hold a special meeting at the Tiny Lodge in Wakefield, followed by a BBQ where families and friends are warmly invited to join. This has become a valued tradition that strengthens both our Lodge and our wider Masonic community.
Our Installation meeting is held on the 2nd Saturday of October each year.