Star of the Maze LOL 130
History of the lodge
Star of the Maze LOL 130 is one of a few lodges in Hillsborough District that received its warrant in 1798, making it one of the oldest lodges in Hillsborough District. Bro. J. Mulatchy was the first Worshipful Master, serving until 1827.The Lodge originally sat at the home of Mr and Mrs Phoenix, located 2 doors away from the current Orange hall. The hall was built in 1891, at which time Bro. S. Atkinson was Worshipful Master, and is one of the oldest standing halls in the locality. Membership remained stable until the 1950s when the Lodge grew to its peak of one hundred and thirty members. Lurganure Silver Band paraded with the Lodge from the late 1940s through to the early 1970s becoming part of the LOL 130's history. In 1990 a bespoke Lodge room was added to the Orange Hall, being opened by the late Violet McCarthy. However, as Lodge activity increased so did the wear and tear on the hall. In the late 1990's the hall underwent a programme of repair, the majority of the work being performed on a voluntary basis by Lodge members in their spare time. In 1999 Star of the Maze Orange Hall was reopened by its oldest serving member, Bro Joseph Heasley, who was ninety years young! The hall is also now used by Mazetown Cultural Society, Mazetown Living History Group and Mazetown Women Together groups as well as local children's play group. Throughout the years the Lodge has been fortunate to have many notable characters within its ranks. The late Wor. Bro. Billy Crawford, MBE, was, until his death, the longest serving member of LOL 130 at 71 years. Bro. Crawford was a Past District Master and, in his day job, was the former grounds man at The Oval, where his handiwork was enjoyed by many local and international football stars. Furthermore, Wor. Bro. Crawford gave unrivalled service as a lecturer in both the Orange and Black Institutions for over 50 years. Continuing the football link, the current Lodge Lay Chaplain, Bro. Alec Luke, was capped 4 times for Northern Ireland Schoolboys. He played against such a notable opponent as Duncan Edwards who was later capped by England at Senior Level. Bro. Luke was presented with his 50 year service medal by the Lodge in February 2010 and is the current Assistant District Lay Chaplain. The late Bro Samuel McQuillan served Star of the Maze for over 50 years, acting as Treasurer and a Lecturer for some forty years. Star of the Maze has always supported Hillsborough District through a steady flow of officer material. The Lodge currently has 2 Past District Masters, Wor. Bro. Fred Hull and Wor. Bro. Dennis Watson. Bro. Stephen Boyle, the current Lodge Secretary, is also the serving District Secretary, and the inimitable Bro. David Hewitt is the current Deputy District Lecturer. The Lodge currently meets on the first Friday of every month and is the largest Lodge Hillsborough District.