Masonry started in Belper on Tuesday 7th June, 1859 with the consecration of Beaureper Lodge number 1089 in the New Inn (see photo) – now part of Colledges premises between Belper Market Place and St Peters Church.
The second meeting was held at the Assembly Rooms in Derby on Wednesday 15th June 1859, at which the Marquis of Hartington was in attendance. On the 4th July 1863, Grand Lodge renumbered the lodges and Beaureper became number 787 which it still is today.
The lodge met at a number of different locations in Belper until 1947 when it moved to the Ladies Conservative Club Rooms – now known as Belper Masonic Hall, Campbell Street.
The hall was acquired in 1951 but was mainly used as a government building until about 1960 – many long standing brethren remember coming to the hall with their coupons to get rations ! The hall has been expanded over the last 30 years with the addition of a kitchen, ladies toilets and bar extension. Since 1960, a number of other lodges and side orders have regularly met in Belper.
