The St. John's (Secunderabad)

St. John's Lodge No. 434 EC (Freemasons' Hall)
The St. John's photographed by Lala Deen Dayal, c. 1890s
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General information
Status	Completed
Type	Masonic Hall
Architectural style	Victorian
Address	Lodge No. 434 EC, Opposite YWCA, West Marredpally, Secunderabad, Telangana, India - 500026
Town or city	Secunderabad, Telangana
Country	India
Coordinates	17°26′41″N78°30′00″E / 17.44480°N 78.50005°E / 17.44480; 78.50005

St. John's Masonic Hall also known as The St. John's and St. John's Lodge No. 434 EC, is a historic building located in West Marredpally, Secunderabad, Telangana, India, serving as a hub for Masonic activities in the region.

History

St. John's Lodge No. 434 EC was founded in 1822 by British military officers stationed in the Secunderabad Cantonment, a key base for the East India Company. ^[1]

Formally constituted in 1836 under the English Constitution, the lodge provided a space for officers to practice Freemasonry, fostering brotherhood and philanthropy. Its establishment reflects the cultural influence of the British military and its enduring legacy in Secunderabad.

The lodge gets its name from St. John's Church, located about a kilometer away.

Activities

Many prominent members of the region, both British and Indian alike, have been part of the lodge, many of whose ancestors as far from the British Isles still continue to visit the lodge. ^[2]

Most members of the St. John's Lodge have also been members of the Secunderabad Club. It is primary meeting place of freemasonry in Secunderabad alongside Goshamahal Baradari.

References

1. Gribble, J. D. B. (James Dunning Baker) (1910). History of Freemasonry in Hyderabad (Deccan). University of California Libraries. Madras : Higginbothan.
2. Kaushik, Shrimansi (2024-11-08). "British woman traces her family history to Secunderabad". www.deccanchronicle.com. Retrieved 2025-02-08.