The History of Oakeswell Lodge No. 8117
The story of Oakeswell Lodge No. 8117, a proud member of the United Grand Lodge of England within the Province of Staffordshire, is closely connected to the rich history of Wednesbury and the surrounding West Midlands.
The origins of Oakeswell Lodge can be traced back to 1857, with the founding of St Bartholomew Lodge No. 696. For more than a century, St Bartholomew Lodge played an important role in local Freemasonry, serving Brethren from Wednesbury and nearby towns. In 1966, members of St Bartholomew Lodge recognised the need to establish a new lodge to continue this tradition. A petition was submitted and formally approved on 8 June 1966.
Following this approval, Oakeswell Lodge No. 8117 was consecrated on 26 January 1967, marking the beginning of a new chapter in Freemasonry in Wednesbury. Since that time, the lodge has become an established and respected part of the local Masonic community.
The Origin of the Name “Oakeswell”
The name “Oakeswell” was deliberately chosen to reflect an important part of Wednesbury’s local heritage. The medieval Oakes Well, recorded as early as the Domesday Book of 1080 AD, was one of several wells that once provided a vital water supply to the town’s inhabitants.
While most of these historic wells have long since disappeared, the Oakes Well itself remains. It is carefully preserved within the grounds of the Newhall Place retirement and sheltered housing complex at Oakeswell End, Walsall Street, Wednesbury. Marked by a stone arch and commemorative plaque, the well stands quietly on the boundary wall, hidden from the busy main road but continuing to serve as a tangible link to the town’s past.
Oakeswell Hall and Local Masonic Heritage
The land surrounding the Oakes Well carries its own historical significance. Records show that a manor house once stood on this site, having been sold to William Byng in 1421. Over the centuries, the house was rebuilt and altered many times and became known as Oakeswell Hall.
Although the building was eventually demolished in the 1960s, Oakeswell Hall remained a well-known landmark in Wednesbury. In its later years, the house was occupied by a local doctor. Notably, his partner, Dr Arnold Blackwell, was a Founding Member of Oakeswell Lodge No. 8117 and served as the lodge’s first Treasurer, further strengthening the lodge’s connection to the area.
Oakeswell Lodge Today
Today, Oakeswell Lodge No. 8117 continues to honour the history and traditions of Wednesbury, Staffordshire, and the wider West Midlands. The lodge remains committed to the principles of Freemasonry, including fellowship, integrity, and service to the community.
As a friendly and welcoming Freemasons’ lodge, Oakeswell Lodge invites those with an interest in local history or Freemasonry to learn more about its heritage and activities. We are proud to preserve the past while continuing to play an active role in modern Masonic life within the West Midlands.