United by Principles, Divided by Tongues, Reunited in Brotherhood.
Since 1904, the Anglo-Foreign Lodges Association has been the bridge between English Freemasonry and the world.
The Edwardian Origins (1903-1910)
The turn of the 20th century was a time of immense cosmopolitan energy in London. In 1903, W. Bro. Major John W. Woodall, a Past Grand Treasurer, gathered sixteen prominent members from the city’s foreign-speaking Lodges with a visionary goal: to promote peace and international goodwill through Freemasonry.
This vision was realised on 26th March 1904 at the Café Royal on Regent Street, where the “International Masonic Club” was formally launched. The founding members were the “Big Four” foreign lodges of the era:
Pilgrim Lodge No. 238 (German-speaking)
La France Lodge No. 2060 (French-speaking)
Italia Lodge No. 2687 (Italian-speaking)
L’Entente Cordiale Lodge No. 2796 (French-speaking)
By 1910, the Club had grown to over 200 members. At a historic meeting attended by the Pro Grand Master, Lord Ampthill, and Deputy Grand Master, Sir Frederick Halsey, the Club adopted its enduring title: the Anglo-Foreign Lodges Association (AFLA). Lord Ampthill, fluent in German, French, and Italian, addressed the brethren in their respective tongues, surely touching their hearts.
Through Storms of War (1914-1945)
The ideals of universal brotherhood were severely tested during the two World Wars. Yet, the spirit of AFLA persisted even when meetings were impossible. In June 1915, during the height of the Great War, the Association, including the temporarily absent German-speaking lodges, presented an ambulance to the Red Cross, funded jointly by the member lodges.
The Second World War brought darker days. Loggia Italia No. 2687 was forced into darkness in June 1940, with many members interned due to their nationality. Deutschland Lodge No. 3315, a founding member, eventually surrendered its warrant in 1955. However, the light was kept burning by lodges like Anglo-Dutch No. 5862, consecrated in 1943 amidst the Blitz. As was noted at the time by the lodge’s WM: “At a time when the material works of man were fast being destroyed… a Masonic spiritual edifice was created, capable of standing serene and undisturbed”.
The Modern Revival (1964-Present)
After a period of dormancy, the Association was revitalized in 1964 under the guidance of Grand Secretary Sir James Stubbs. This revival established the modern tradition of the Biennial Reunion, where a “Banner Lodge” hosts a demonstration of a foreign ritual.
1964: The Schroeder Ritual (Pilgrim Lodge No. 238)
Marking the revival of the AFLA Reunions, Pilgrim Lodge presented the Schroeder Ritual. Originally written by Friedrich Schroeder using humanitarian ideals inspired by Goethe, this ritual is distinct from the Swedish systems. The demonstration featured the Passing of Bro. H. Plautus to the Second Degree, where the beauty of the Hamburg-style working was described as picturesque and deeply humanitarian.
1965: Rectified Scottish Rite (La France Lodge No. 2060)
Held at the Café Royal, Loge Le Centre des Amis No. 1, from the GLNF, demonstrated the Rectified Scottish Rite in French. This was believed to be the first time this specific Rite, known for its chivalric and Christian esoteric roots, had been demonstrated in England.
2007: The Misraim Ritual (Helvetica Lodge No. 4894)
In a rare departure from standard workings, Helvetica Lodge hosted a demonstration of a modified First Degree of the Misraim Ritual. Drawing from Egyptian symbolism, attendees described the ceremony as intense and different in every way to the ceremonies typically performed in the UK, offering a glimpse into one of the more esoteric and different continental traditions.
2011: Fire and Swords (Hellenic Lodge No. 7270)
Hellenic Lodge hosted Isostis Lodge (Equality) No. 10 from the Grand Lodge of Greece for a spectacular demonstration of the First Degree. The ceremony was visually striking, noted for the abundant use of swords and fire during the ritual, elements rarely seen in English lodges. The event was attended by 370 brethren, including visitors from abroad, coming from Denmark and Italy.
2025: A Quadruple Raising in Portuguese (United Arts Rifles Lodge No. 3817)
History was made on 6th September 2025 when the “Brazilian Lodge” conducted a quadruple Raising ceremony entirely in Portuguese. This marked the first time in over a century that UGLE authorised a ceremony in a new foreign language. The atmosphere was heightened by exceptional music and stirring renditions of the British and Brazilian anthems.
Did You Know?
The “Peacemaker” Connection
Did you know that King Edward VII (then Prince of Wales) signed the warrants for both La France Lodge (1884) and L’Entente Cordiale Lodge (1899)?. His efforts to create the Entente Cordiale between Britain and France went in the foundations of our Association.
More Than A Century of Reunions
Inaugural Cycle (1910-1914)
1910: Pilgrim Lodge No. 238 (Inaugural Meeting) * 1911: La France Lodge No. 2060 * 1912: Italia Lodge No. 2687 * 1913: L’Entente Cordiale Lodge No. 2796 * 1914: Deutschland Lodge No. 3315 * (1915–1931: Suspended due to WWI and Depression)
The Interwar Period (1932-1938)
1932: America Lodge No. 3368 * 1933: Helvetica Lodge No. 4894 * 1934: Pilgrim Lodge No. 238 * 1936: La France Lodge No. 2060 * 1937: Italia Lodge No. 2687 * 1938: L’Entente Cordiale Lodge No. 2796 * (1939–1963: Suspended due to WWII and Dormancy)
The Post-War Revival (1965-Today)
1964: Pilgrim Lodge No. 238 * 1965: La France Lodge No. 2060 * 1966: Italia Lodge No. 2687 * 1967: L’Entente Cordiale Lodge No. 2796 * 1968: America Lodge No. 3368 * 1969: Hellenic Lodge No. 7270 * 1970: Anglo-Dutch Lodge No. 5862 * 1973: Pilgrim Lodge No. 238 * 1975: Helvetica Lodge No. 4894 * 1977: La France Lodge No. 2060 * 1979: Italia Lodge No. 2687 * 1981: L’Entente Cordiale Lodge No. 2796 * 1983: America Lodge No. 3368 * 1985: Anglo-Dutch Lodge No. 5862 * 1987: Helvetica Lodge No. 4894 * 1989: Pilgrim Lodge No. 238 * 1991: La France Lodge No. 2060 * 1993: Italia Lodge No. 2687 * 1995: L’Entente Cordiale Lodge No. 2796 * 1997: America Lodge No. 3368 * 2001: Anglo-Dutch Lodge No. 5862 * 2003: Pilgrim Lodge No. 238 * 2005: Italia Lodge No. 2687 * 2007: Helvetica Lodge No. 4894 * 2009: America Lodge No. 3368 * 2011: Hellenic Lodge No. 7270 * 2013: Pilgrim Lodge No. 238 * 2015: Helvetica Lodge No. 4894 * 2017: Italia Lodge No. 2687 * 2019: Anglo American Lodge No 2191 * 2024: Lodge of Reunion and Fellowship No 5625 * 2026: United Arts Rifles Lodge No 3817