Archbishop Abbot was founded shortly after VE day in 1945 and takes its name from a former resident of Guildford named George Abbot who was the Archbishop of Canterbury in the 1600s, he was also the benefactor of the Abbot’s Hospital which still continues in the High Street, Guildford, Surrey today.

The lodge prides itself in its great comradery amongst its members and meets at the Masonic Hall in Godalming on the 4^th Friday of September, November, December, January, March & April with meetings normally starting at 1730 hours -

At its heart, is a membership that is incredibly supportive of each of its members, whilst working hard to maintain Masonic principles.

We always look to perform the lodge duties to the best of our ability and in a professional manner, but not losing sight of the need to make each meeting enjoyable to those attending and above all to ensure our meetings are held in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.

We are a dining lodge, and the members enjoy a three-course dinner together at the Masonic Centre following our meetings – this is referred to as a “Festive Board” with the evening normally concluding at approximately 2130 hours.

We currently have 24 members with an age spread from the early 30s to some more elderly members who are over 80 years old – we welcome men of all ages to join us. Our lodge is very friendly and welcoming, meetings and festive boards are fun and entertaining, and feedback received regularly from our guests is that they really enjoy attending our lodge. They state they are made to feel very welcome and ask the members to invite them along again.

Our membership is very mixed with a very wide range of hobbies and professional backgrounds: Surveyors, various types of engineers, local government officers, logistics consultants and bankers. Former police officers and present-day directors of various companies.

We even have a wine advisor to a major supermarket chain and a former Astronomer at the Royal Observatory turned Teacher, and a University lecturer to name but a few.

A number play Golf, tennis, football, bowls, motorsport, fishing, and sailing. Away from sport, Choral singing, reading, painting, and appreciating fine wines are popular. Gardening also features well, along with some model railway enthusiasts and a caravan enthusiast amongst our ranks.

Archbishop Abbot Lodge is very strong on Charity and through our benevolent Association we support many local charities, as well as Masonic Charities.

Outside our meetings, several of the members spend a great deal of their spare time helping with local community work. This includes a Trustee to a large almshouse, a director of a Housing Association, and an advisor to a food bank and community fridge organisation.

We hold at least one major social event each year, at which family & friends are encouraged to join, with all proceeds being donated to a chosen charity.