West Flanders' oldest masonic lodge La Flandre in Bruges has taken the unprecedented step of showing the general public where its members meet. Explanation was also provided about what happens at the lodge. La Flandre decided to open up after an act of vandalism: in January, a stone was thrown through the window. La Flandre is an association of freemasons where members meet in secret to exchange views and discuss topics.
In Bruges masonic lodge La Flandre opens doors after vandalism: ‘to debunk the wildest stories’
Colin Clapson
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Ever since it was founded in 1881, La Flandre, the oldest masonic lodge in West Flanders, has been meeting in the centre of Bruges. For more than a century this occurred in the Beenhouwersstraat. Mason meet in their 'workshop', as the members call their meeting place. The building houses a large meeting room, a bar, a dining room and an impressive temple.
Twice a month, the members meet, some 90 in all. For decades, no outsider has ever been let inside but the incident on 4 January changed the mind of members of La Flandre.
Stone thrown through window
‘During a meeting, we heard a loud bang,’ Philip S., the chairman of La Flandre, tells us. ‘But when someone went to have a look, they found a large cobblestone on the floor and shattered glass. Someone had thrown it through the window above the door.’
‘It is a mystery to us who did it,’ Philip explains. ’This is the first time since World War II that our lodge has been the victim of physical violence.’
The wildest stories
There are numerous crazy stories circulating about what goes on behind the walls of the lodge. ‘I know these stories too, of course. They tell how candidates have to undergo painful physical tests to become a member. People say we slaughter animals and engage in sacrificial rituals, but that's not true’ Philip insists
Many Egyptian decorations are hanging on the walls. That’s the result of the Egyptomania that prevailed when the temple was built around 1910. There are also two rows of chairs on either side of the hall and three tables in front for the chairman, secretary and speaker.
‘That's what we do, organise talks, on socially relevant topics. Like abortion and euthanasia, for example. And yes, that also involves certain rituals and customs.’