It was in the year that Australia was proclaimed a “Commonwealth” that the St. Peters Lodge was consecrated. This occurred in the Lodge Room of the St. Peters Town Hall on Monday, 1st July 1901. The Grand Secretary read the petition presented by the Emulation Lodge of Norwood No. 32 for the new St. Peters Lodge. The Deputy Grand Master, RW Bro. T.J.C. Hantke performed the ceremony, which installed Bro. John Fairweather as the first Worshipful Master, and this RW Bro. Hantke continued to do for installation ceremonies until prevented by illness in 1911.
On Wednesday, 11th April 1928, at the St. Peters Masonic Hall, RW Bro. H K. Wendt, Acting Grand Master, consecrated the Lewis Lodge of St. Peters. Officers of Grand Lodge assisted him. The Warrant had been granted on 8th March 1928. There were 19 foundation members of the new Lodge for which St. Peters No. 47, was the sponsor.
The history of Walkerville Lodge might be said to have begun on 8th February 1923 when an inaugural meeting was held in the Methodist Hall, Smith Street, Walkerville when the following brethren were present; W Bros. Edgar Treloar, Wilfred Hobba, and James Styles, and Bros. Wallace J. Laming, Hubert Sando, John Fisher, Dr. Gilbert Brown, and W. E. Spargo. A motion that a new Lodge to be called the Walkerville Lodge be formed was carried unanimously.
During the years 1946 - 1951 a number of informal gatherings of brethren employed in the aircraft industry in Adelaide were held with the idea of keeping together many brethren who had been engaged in servicing aircraft for the Royal Australian Air Force. Dinners and social functions were well attended. At the last of those meetings held in Alfred Hall, Waymouth Street, Adelaide, it was asked if there was enough support to form a Lodge. From the obvious interest WBro. Tom F. Foley agreed to discuss the proposal with Grand Lodge, and endeavour to find a sponsor lodge. The petition was sponsored by Southern Cross Lodge No. 66 SAC, which Lodge opened an Occasional Lodge on 23rd. November 1951, in the Way Room, Freemasons Hall, for the purpose of the Constitution and Consecration of Lodge Aviation, No. 184, the Installation of the Master Designate and the investment of elected officers. The ceremonies were conducted by the Grand Master, MW Bro. The Hon. Mr. Justice Abbott, assisted by the DGM, RW Bro. G.S. McDonald and Grand Lodge Officers.
In April, 1982 St. Peters Lodge No. 47 and the Lewis Lodge of St.Peters No. 144 amalgamated forming the St. Peters United Lodge No. 47. The warrants of both Lodges were endorsed and exhibited during the meetings of this Lodge. At the first meeting after the installation, the St.Peters Lodge No. 47 warrant would be read in odd years and vice versa for even years.
Early in 1993, discussions took place between brethren of a steering committee to investigate the amalgamation of Walkerville, Aviation and St. Peters United Lodges. It had become increasingly difficult to find brethren willing to fill the officers chairs and to have the desire to continue to progress through the Chairs to Master of the lodge. It was felt that by amalgamating these three Lodges, this problem might be able to be overcome. The steering committee sought the approval of the three Lodges to unite and form a new Lodge to be known as The Regency Lodge, No. 233. After due notice was given to the brethren of each Lodge, this resolution was approved unanimously.
Since then brethren from other lodges have joined including sister lodges like Delphic Lodge, and prospect Lodge, as well as brethren from interstate and overseas. A large number of initiates have come the Lebanese community, and our festive boards are marked by the pizzas and Mediterranean desserts alongside the cakes and party pies with further seasoning by the occasional belly dance.
