Minerva Masonic Hall, Ghost Hunt Hull

About Minerva Masonic Hall, Ghost Hunt Hull

Simply paranormal nights invite you to spend a night exploring the minerva masonic lodge.  Built at the end of the 16th century it is the oldest masonic hall in Yorkshire. Also grade 2 listed, situated on the corner of Prince street/Dagger lane, which are some of the oldest streets in Hull.

Just imagine what it could have been like  as downstairs was originally being used as a sloughterhouse/butchers shop, while upstairs the freemasons were holding their secret meetings shrouded deep in mystery and traditions.

Come with us as we explore this fascinating building with halls that hold a thousand secrets,

Do you still fancy joining us for this event??   if so read on...

On the night there will be light refreshments provided.

Please bring a torch even though the building has electricity we still do lights out, torches are always useful in that situation.

We will be trying various experiments throughout the night and we are here to help you on your investigation, you will have use of our equipment, although if you have your own your welcome to bring it along.

You will have an hour free time the end of the night  so you can go back and explore the building also investigate anything that holds your intrest.

Alcohol and other substances will not be permitted, anyone found under the influence will be asked to leave with no refund

As it is the centre of town onsite car parking is unavailable but there are plenty of places around the centre to park. If your unsure about car parking drop us a line and we can point you in the right direction.

This event will run from 8pm til 2am we look forward to meeting you  

History of the masonic hall

• The hall has been in continuous use since 1804 and can claim to be one of the oldest purpose-built structures in continuous occupation in England
• The chapel on the site was originally built in 1698 by the first nonconformist body in Hull - a Presbyterian congregation formed in 1643, the year of the plague, the town siege and the Civil War
• The building was consecrated on 6th December 1802

• Whilst Masonic obligations were being taken upstairs, there was a slaughterhouse directly below - which later became a warehouse
• The building survived the ravages of both World Wars and in the mid 1980s was threatened with demolition before being declared a protected building of major historical value in December 1986

• At the top of the stairs stand two pillars of Boaz and Jachin bearing their names in Hebrew within gilded frames - between them on the ceiling are three words written in Masonic coded writing which read "Brother, welcome here"
• Above the keystone is a delicate painting of an eye with light radiating from it — the all-seeing eye
• On the apex of the apse roof there is another eye at the centre of a large gilded boss with a great fan of rays shining upon the VSL (Volume of Sacred Law)
• The ceiling depicts the zodiac figures with their stars and constellations all around, and at the four corners of the ceiling are the sun, the moon and stars, a skull and crossbones, and the united pick, shovel and crowbar
• The entire floor is chequered black and white - a classic Masonic symbol representing the duality of good and evil

• In 1821, silver and glassware were presented in memory of Viscount Horatio Nelson - these can still be seen in the display case on the upstairs ceremony room
• The striking busts in the temple are of Ajax, Homer and Lord Zetland - fashioned by Brother Thomas Earle, whose own bust also resides in the room alongside one of the man responsible for the temple's original design
• The masters' chairs are original early Victorian pieces, elaborately carved with the arms finishing in busts of female figures and heads of beasts
• The boards on the walls are beautifully inscribed naming every Master of Minerva Lodge since its inception in 1783

• These could make for fascinating reading during an investigation:
• "Hear, see, be silent - let there be light and there was light - seek and ye shall find"
• "A great light shines in the east where peace and silence reign"
• "The light shineth in the darkness and the darkness comprehended it not"

• The imposing pipe organ in the west of the room reaches almost to the ceiling, its presence alone adds a deeply atmospheric quality to the room

• Around the upper frieze are painted large shields representing the main aspects of Freemasonry practised in Hull, including the Knights Templar, Rose Croix (a Christian order with Trinitarian beliefs) and the Knight Templar Priests

• Viscount Horatio Nelson - brother of the lodge, commemorated in 1821 with silver and glassware still present in the building today. One of Britain's most famous historical figures with a strong connection to this very room
• Thomas Earle - the sculptor who fashioned the bust of Lord Zetland, his own bust also resides in the temple
• Frank Appleyard - Thomas Earle's son in law, believed to be the man responsible for the original design of the temple. His bust is also present in the room
• Mr Bromby - the Vicar who in 1811 wrote to the lodge requesting permission to use their room for sacred music practice
• Brother Crow - presented the silver and glassware in memory of Nelson in 1821
• Brother G. Hardy - presented the large Tracing Boards that adorn the temple walls in 1863
• John Medd - a currier who rented the ground floor of the lodge in the early 1800s, whilst Masonic obligations were being conducted directly above a slaughterhouse below him
• Lord Zetland - Most Worshipful Grand Master, whose bust was fashioned by Thomas Earle and still presides over the room today

• Minerva Lodge No. 250 - the original lodge, meeting since 1783
• Humber Lodge No. 57 - who presented the mosaic carpet in 1863
• The Royal Arch - met on the first Friday of every month
• The Knights Templar - met on the first Sunday of every month
• Old English Harodim or Orange Masonry
• Ark, Mark and Link

Any queries just drop us a lline were happy to help 👻👻