St. Patrick's Lodge No. 77  
R.W. Bro. DR. F.C. Crossle's Past Master's Jewel 1898

.

R.W. Bro. Dr. F. C. Crossle, B.A., M.B., M.Ch.
(17th March, 1887 - 15th October, 1910)

I think it is fair to say that Doctor Francis Clements Crossle is probably one of the greatest Irish Masonic historians and collectors of items of early Masonic interest. It has only been through the passage of time that his name has become forgotten, save for his fellow Masons with an interest in Masonic history. I regard this jewel as the most significant and precious in my collection because it was the property of of such a famous and well regarded Freemason. You will see from the links below the esteem with which he is still held amongst his fellow Masons in the Lodge of Research and the "In Memorium" shows his standing in the Order at the time of his death.
 

Obverse of Jewel

A historic and beautiful gold Past Master's Jewel suspended from a sky blue ribbon by three gold bars.

The top bar has the inscription:
"Presented by St. Patrick's Lodge "

The centre bar has the inscription:
"To V.W. Bro. F.C. Crossle P.M.
P.G.S. Down"

The Compass and Square is a nicely engraved gold Past Master's Jewel with a floating "G". There are thirteen shamrock's engraved on the Compass and Square. The bottom bar has the inscription:"No. 77"

Reverse of jewel

The only inscription on the reverse of the jewel is a date on the bottom bar, namely, the "1st August, 1898” the date of presentation.

St. Patrick’s Lodge No. 77
"Sketch of the History of St. Patrick’s Lodge No. 77, Newry" (1737 - 1898)
by R.W. Dr. Bro. F.C. Crossle

You may access this summary by R.W. Bro. Keith Cochrane of Bro. Crossle's History of the earlier years of St. Patrick's Lodge No. 77 through the following link - "Sketch of the History of St. Patrick’s Lodge No. 77, Newry"

The full history may be found on the IRISH MASONIC RECORDS cd-rom.

Masonic Hall, Newry - pre 1914.

History of St. Patrick's Lodge No. 77

You may access a small extract of facts relating to the History of St. Patrick's Lodge No. 77 through the following link - History of St. Patrick's Lodge No. 77.

A fuller account of the History of St. Patrick's Lodge No. 77 will be found on the IRISH MASONIC RECORDS cd-rom - the information on St. Patrick's Lodge No. 77 is particularly comprehensive as Bro. Dr. F.C. Crossle was a member of this Lodge and Provincial Grand Secretary of Down.

R.W. Bro. Dr. F. C. Crossle, B.A., M.B., M.Ch.
by W.Bro. Bob Hoffman

Reproduced by kind permission of The Lodge of Research No. 200
from Volume XXIII, Transactions 1994 - 1995.

You may access W. Bro. Hoffman's Biographical Paper on R.W.Bro. Dr. F.C. Crossle through the following link - R.W.Bro. Dr. F.C. Crossle, B.A., M.B., M.Ch.

"Memorial to A Prominent Co. Down Freemason"

Bro. F.C. Crossle was a Freemason who was held in such high esteem that the Brethren of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Down decided to dedicate a Brass Tablet in his memory in Saint Mary’s Church, Newry, County Down.

The Brass Tablet was dedicated by His Grace, Dr. John Baptist Crozier, the Lord Primate of Ireland on Sunday 28th July, 1912 in Saint Mary’s Church. On the occasion of the Dedication an Address entitled “Memorial to A Prominent Co. Down Freemason” was delivered by the Lord Primate and is reproduced here .

You may access the Address by the Lord Primate through the following link - "In Memoriam"

Details of when St. St. Patrick’s Lodge No. 77 meets.

St. Patrick’s Lodge No. 77 meets on the 1st Mon at 8.00p.m. (Except 6, 7 & 8) the Masonic Hall, Downshire Road, Newry, County Down.