County Lodge No. 6678
A friendly, welcoming lodge meeting at Darlington Masonic Hall - bringing together men from all walks of life around friendship, integrity and service to others.
What is Freemasonry?
Freemasonry is one of the world's oldest and largest non-religious, non-political fraternal organisations - bringing together people from all walks of life, regardless of background, in a shared pursuit of self-improvement and support for others.
Integrity
A framework of moral and ethical values, passed down through ritual and teaching, that members carry into everyday life.
Friendship
Lasting friendships built across generations and professions, welcoming men of every background and belief.
Service
A strong tradition of charitable giving - supporting Masonic and local causes through our own Lodge Trust Fund.
Knowledge
Members often choose to learn allegorical ritual by heart and take part in talks and lectures exploring Masonic history and ideas.
County Lodge No. 6678
Consecrated in 1948, County Lodge was once the largest Lodge in Darlington and today is enjoying renewed growth, with 20-plus members ranging in age from their thirties to their nineties.
Our members come from public service, healthcare, local government, the Armed Forces, Police and Fire Services, business and beyond - and quite a few are retired. We take pride in the quality of our ritual, and when there's no formal ceremony on the night, we enjoy talks and lectures on Masonic subjects.
- Consecrated: 1948
- Membership: 20+ members, aged 35–90
- Charity: Own Lodge Trust Fund, supporting Masonic and local causes
- Recognition: Silver Award, Durham 2021 Festival Appeal
When & Where We Meet
County Lodge meets nine times a year at Darlington Masonic Hall, with a full evening of ritual or talks followed by a formal Festive Board.
Meeting Nights
We meet on the 3rd Wednesday of the month, January to May and September to December, with our Installation meeting held in March.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar · Installation
- Apr
- May
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
- Venue
- Darlington Masonic Hall, Upper Archer Street, Darlington DL3 6LS
- Parking
- Ample parking in the adjacent pay & display public car park - free after 6pm and for Blue Badge holders.
- Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance, accessible toilets, and lift access to the first-floor Lodge room.
Frequently Asked Questions
Freemasonry is open to men over the age of 18 of good character, regardless of race, religion, political view or background. You don't need to know a current member to apply - though many of our members were introduced by a friend or relative.
No. Freemasonry is not a religion, a substitute for religion, or a path to salvation. It does require a belief in a Supreme Being, but members belong to many different faiths and Freemasonry does not seek to interfere with anyone's religious practice.
There's a one-off joining fee and an annual subscription, which cover Provincial and Lodge running costs, plus a per-meeting dining charge for the Festive Board that follows each meeting. We're happy to talk through current costs when you get in touch.
Meetings open and close with simple ceremony, and often include ritual, a talk, or a lecture on a Masonic subject. Every meeting is followed by a Festive Board - a three-course dinner and good company in the dining room downstairs.
A dark suit is the standard for meeting nights. If you visit us before joining, come as you are - we'll happily talk you through what to expect.
County Lodge meets nine evenings a year, so the time commitment is modest. Many members also enjoy social and charitable events beyond the regular meeting nights, but these are entirely optional.
How To Join
Interested in finding out more about County Lodge No. 6678? Send us a message and our Secretary will get back to you - no obligation, and no experience necessary.
You're also welcome to come along and meet us in person before deciding whether Freemasonry is for you.