About our Lodge
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The Franklin Lodge No. 58 has been a cornerstone of the Pukekohe community since 1885. As members of Freemasons New Zealand, we are dedicated to fostering friendship, supporting local causes, and upholding timeless Masonic values.
History
A Legacy Since 1885
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The Franklin Lodge No. 58 has proudly served the Pukekohe community since 1885. Originally established under the English Constitution as Lodge Franklin No. 2138 E.C., it became one of the first 65 lodges to affiliate with the newly formed Grand Lodge of New Zealand in 1890 — a milestone that marked its commitment to New Zealand’s growing Masonic identity.
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Our first meetings were held in the old Protestant Hall near Queen Street. In 1887, the brethren built Pukekohe’s first dedicated Masonic Hall, a timber structure near Hall Street on former agricultural showgrounds. This early lodge became a key venue for public events and a symbol of Freemasonry’s role in civic life.
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1917 Masonic Hall
By the 1910s, the lodge had outgrown its wooden home. In 1917, a new Masonic Hall was constructed at the corner of Hall and Tobin Streets — featuring a brick lodge room and timber supper room, designed by renowned architect W. Bro. Edward Bartley. The foundation stone was laid with full Masonic ceremony in February 1917, and the new building quickly became one of Pukekohe’s most important community spaces.
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This hall served Franklin Lodge and the wider community for 75 years, acting as a de facto town hall until the 1950s. In 1992, the building was retired and the lodge relocated to its present home: the historic former Franklin County Council chambers at 8 Roulston Street. An additional storey was added to convert the space into a modern Masonic centre, where Franklin Lodge continues to meet today.
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For nearly 140 years, Franklin Lodge No. 58 has stood at the heart of the Franklin district — preserving tradition, fostering fraternity, and contributing to the community in countless ways.
Our Lodge Today
The lodge for the discerning Freemason
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The Franklin Lodge No. 58 continues to thrive as a cornerstone of Freemasonry in South Auckland. We meet regularly at the Freemasons Centre on Roulston Street — a historic civic building adapted by our members in 1992 to serve as a modern Masonic home.​​​
Franklin Chambers
Our membership includes men from all walks of life: tradesmen, train drivers, professionals, farmers, and community leaders. While our traditions remain strong, our outlook is modern — blending time-honoured ritual with charitable action and open community engagement.
We support local initiatives, schools, and heritage projects, and we welcome men who are curious, community-minded, and seeking personal growth through fraternity.