Southern Star Lodge was consecrated on the 14th May 1867, under the Constitution of the United Grand Lodge of England, at The Montpelier Tavern, Walworth in the then County of Surrey. This area now comes under Peckham, Camberwell London SE15

The first Master was W. Bro Henry Thompson, a Past Master of the Domatic Lodge No. 177, The first Senior Warden was Bro. Thomas Henry Pulsford, and the first Junior Warden, Bro. Charles Margerson. In addition there were ten other Founders: Brothers R.T. Chaplin, R.E. Clarke, John Ford, D�Oyley S Bayfield, John Smith, G.H.Hall, J.J.Crane, George Thompson Booty, W. Stephens and Edwin Thompson.

In 1878 they moved to The Surrey Masonic Hall, which was in Camberwell New Road, also then in Surrey, but now London SE11. They moved again in 1879 to the Bridge House Hotel, London Bridge Approach, London SE1, where meetings were held each month until the year 1886 when the number of meetings were reduced to six per year. In 1905 the Lodge moved to the Abercorn Rooms, Great Eastern Hotel, Liverpool Street, London EC2. In 1975 the Lodge heard that the Great Eastern was possibly due for redevelopment, and in 1977 learned that a number of Lodges were being approached to become founder members of the Central London Masonic Centre, at Clerkenwell Green, London EC1. It was originally the Middlesex Sessions House, a listed building which would be owned by the Masons. After much discussion it was agreed that Southern Star Lodge should join the venture, but it was not without considerable regret, as the Lodge had met at the Great Eastern hotel for over 70 years.

In 1979 they moved to Central London Masonic Centre, at Clerkenwell Green. After a short time at the Centre, alarm arose concerning the financial structure of the premises and it was decided to investigate other possibilities, the first being the Tower Rooms where only one meeting was held.

In 1981 they moved to the National Liberal Club, Whitehall Place, London SW1 and in 1985 moved once again to The Central London Masonic Centre, at Clerkenwell Green, London EC1, where great improvements had been made. In 1996 the debenture held by the Lodge was converted into a �1.00 Share in the Central London Masonic Centre. This centre was sold in December 2013 by the CLMC and with the proceeds they bought a new centre at 61 Lever Street, Clerkenwell, London EC1V 8AR. Things did not go to plan with the new building and it was closed a year later in December 2014. The Southern Star Lodge moved there meetings once again this time to Freemasons hall, Great Queen Street, where it continues to meet today.

During the Second World War blitz on London the home of the then Lodge secretary, W. Bro. E. Davies, suffered damage by enemy action which resulted in the loss of early records of the Lodge. Fortunately the Warrant of the Lodge was else where and survived unharmed. A list of members of the Lodge obtained from a Past Master shows that 73 years ago in 1934, the Lodge had 131 members. This number included 21 country members and 3 honorary members.

The History of Southern Star Lodge, written in 1967 by the Lodge Secretary, W. Bro. H. J. Robinson LGR to commemorate the centenary of the Lodge, mentions the fact that the Lodge had strong family ties of fathers, sons, brothers, son-in-laws, uncles, nephews etc. and we are glad to say that this tradition still continues today, with a Grandfather, Father & Son - five Father & Son�s - three Brothers, and numerous uncles and in-laws amongst the members.

It also mentions that the Southern Star Lodge of Instruction was functioning strongly, and although it faltered slightly in the early 2000's, it is now thriving again since moving from the London Masonic Centre to its current venue at the Black Bull Public House in the village of Fyfield, Near Ongar Essex. This was to accommodate the large influx of members who now live in and around the Essex area.

The Worshipful Master in our Centenary year was W. Bro. Ronald Walter Spicer SLGR SLGCR PZ, his first official engagement as Master was to represent the Lodge at the Installation of HRH The Duke of Kent as Grand Master, the ceremony being held at the Royal Albert Hall. Ronald passed to the Grand Lodge above on the 26th December 1997 and was a member of the Lodge until that day.

The last surviving Master who was in the chair before our Centenary Celebrations was W. Bro. Robert. G. Tingley PJGD PZ (W.M. 1964 � 1975 � 1976) He was an active member right until October 2001, when he was taken ill. Bob was called to the Grand Lodge above on 11th September 2002.

W. Bro. Frederick A. Sweeting SLGR, who was initiated into Southern Star Lodge in 1963 and became the Worshipful Master in 1974, is our last surviving member from that era.

In 1982 a banner was dedicated in memory of W. Bro. R. Miller who was Installed as Master of the Lodge in 1968. Special tokens were also presented to W. Bros. Harold Robinson, Christopher Foulser and Pat Beazley on completing 50 years service in the Craft. In 1987 a new Masters Collar was purchased. This Collar bears the names of all the Masters since the centenary until 2006 when another Masters Collar was purchased, the new Collar bears the names of the Masters from 2007 onwards.

Also in 1982 a suitably inscribed silver plated Toast List was presented by the Lodge of Instruction in memory of W. Bro. Chris Foulser who was Installed as Master in 1961. In 2003 Mrs. D. Tingley presented to the Lodge three engraved wine cups for the use of the Master and Wardens in memory of her husband, W. Bro. Robert Tingley.

As far as research can uncover the honour of Grand Rank has been bestowed upon only 5 brethren of the Lodge; W. Bro. W. Belchamber ( Master of the Lodge in 1896), W. Bro. A Chivers (1955), W. Bro. T.F. Aveling Ginever (1959), W. Bro. R.F. Tingley (1985) and W. Bro. K.A. Eustice (1997)

In the early/mid 1990's the number of members dwindled, as it did in many Lodges, (especially in the London area), but since 1997 this trend has reversed and the Lodge has had an average of 4 candidates for initiation, and at least 1 joining member per year.

With the experience of the Past Masters coupled with the enthusiasm of the newer brethren, the future of Southern Star Lodge No. 1158 is assured.