The St. John's (Secunderabad)

St. John's Masonic Hall & Temple also known as The St. John's, is a historic building located in West Marredpally, Secunderabad, Telangana, India, serving as a hub for Masonic activities in the region.

It is the primary meeting place of St. John's Lodge No. 434 EC. It has also been used by Golconda Lodge No. 3249 EC, Universal Peace No.1208 SC and other masonic lodges under the warrant of the Grand Lodge of India

St. John's Lodge No. 434 EC was founded on 16 August 1822 ^[1] by British military officers stationed in the Secunderabad Cantonment, a key base for the East India Company.^[2] The foundation stone of the building was laid on 11 March 1824. The lodge gets its name from St. John's Church, located about a kilometer away.

There was a story that it had originally been a church. Later, when the current St. John's Church was built about a quarter mile away, the old building was given to the Freemasons by the contractor. Back in 1890, the Lodge room still looked a lot like a small church. It had a central area (nave) with pillars on each side creating side aisles, and a small space at the east end like a chancel. This layout didn’t make much sense for a Masonic Lodge, so it’s hard to believe it was built for that purpose. During the time WB A. H. Stevens was in charge, the building was renovated—the pillars were removed, making the space more practical. Now, it’s a convenient and spacious hall suitable for all Lodge activities. ^[2]

Six chairs now used by the Past Masters originally came from the Brighton Royal Pavilion and were sent to the British Residency at Chudderghat in the early 19th century. Though there's no official record, six were likely gifted to the Lodge. Richly gilt but lacking in taste and comfort, the chairs hold more historical value than practical use. ^[2]

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. ^[2]

On Sept 7, 1850 a proposal was made to include two prominent Muslim noblemen as candidates: the newly appointed Minister of Hyderabad and his nephew, Salar Jung I (who later became a powerful and long-serving Minister). However, the plan failed due to a royal order from the Nizam that the Minister could not leave the city without permission. Since Lodge meetings were held in Secunderabad (outside Hyderabad city), this created a conflict.

On Feb 23, 1898 Bro. Varma, Prince of Travancore, On June 24, 1896 Lieutenant-Colonel Sir George Montgomerie John Moore CIE were some of the distinguished visitors to the lodge. ^[2]

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.^[3]

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.

• Bro. Nawab Mir Yousuf Ali Khan, Salar Jung III and Bro. Sir Akbar Hydari seen with Brethren outside the St. John's.
• The St. John's photographed by Lala Deen Dayal, c. 1890s

Many notable people have been members of the lodge.

Lodge St. John 434 E.C.

• Lieutenant-Colonel James Oliphant, (WM 1834, 1835), Director and Chairman of the Honourable East India Company, and Equerry to the Maharajah Duleep Singh of the Punjab.
• WH Wilkinson, Secretary for Education and the first Director of Public Instruction, Hyderabad State. ^[4]
• Major-General Otway Francis Smithers (WM 1866) ^[5]
• Lieutenant-Colonel Steuart Scott BINNY DSO^[6]
• Major William Godfrey Charles COCKADAY MC^[7]
• Aubrey Saunders, District Grand Master for Madras.

Golconda Lodge No. 3249 E.C.

• Nawab Mir Yousuf Ali Khan, Salar Jung III, KCIE
• Sir Akbar Hydari, Kt., PC

Lodge Ekram 756 S.C.

• Brigadier-General Sir Terence Humphrey Keyes, KCIE, CSI, CMG, FRGS, FZS (WM 1931)

Mayo No. 1406 E.C.

• Captain William Smith MINCHIN MC^[8]
• J.D.B. Gribble, (WM 1898), known for his book "A History of the Deccan" ^[9]
• H.C. Tripp, (WM 1916), Second Magistrate for the British administered areas in the Hyderabad State.
• Charles Blackburn Dunlop, Chief engineer of the Nizam’s Guaranteed State Railway. ^[10]

Lodge Deccan No. 1444 E.C.

• Nawab Syed Hussain Bilgrami, Imad-ul-Mulk Bahadur CSI, Member of the Viceroy's Legislative Council.
• Syed Ali Bilgrami, Indian scholar and linguist.
• Colonel Marshall, Private secretary and confidential adviser to the Nizam. ^[11]

Others

• Colonel Greenlaw, District Grand Master for British Burma. ^[12]
• C. C. Little, District Grand Master for British Burma.