Masonic Lodge, 13 Lodge Road, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry, BT51 4RA

A symmetrical three-bay two-storey rendered Masonic Lodge in the classical style, built in 1886 to designs by William John Fennell and situated on the west side of Lodge Road in Coleraine town centre. The building is rectangular on plan with a central breakfront and projecting pedimented porch, a two-storey return to the rear, and a single-storey lean-to extension. The pitched natural slate roof features blue and black angled ridge tiles behind a plain parapet, with cast-iron ogee rainwater goods.

The walls are painted smooth render on a contrasting plinth. The ground floor has channel-jointed rustication, while the first floor displays raised quoins. A plain frieze with a moulded string-course runs between the floors, with a further decorated moulded string-course at impost level to the first floor. The gables and rear elevation are unpainted smooth render.

Windows are generally modern uPVC replacements in plain reveals with projecting painted sills. The first-floor windows are round-headed, divided by pilasters with impost mouldings and recessed moulded apron panels, while ground-floor windows have continuous sills. One original 2/2 timber sash window with horns survives at ground-floor left on the southeast gable.

The principal northeast elevation is symmetrically arranged about the central breakfront. A projecting single-storey classical-style porch at ground floor features a triangular pediment containing a painted compass and set square emblem surrounded by rays of sunlight. The plain frieze bears the lettering 'AUDI VIDE TACE' (meaning 'Hear, See, Be Silent'). The entablature is supported on plain pilasters. The recessed entrance comprises bolection-moulded six-panel double-leaf timber doors and a plain round-headed transom light, framed by corner pilasters with decoratively carved capitals and spandrel mouldings. The porch is accessed by four original stone steps with a modern metal handrail, enclosed by plinth walls. A roundel tableau above the porch depicts two winged figures standing on a banner and flanking a decorated shield.

The southeast gable contains a replacement round-headed stained glass stairwell window above four windows of various sizes at ground floor. The southwest rear elevation has three irregularly spaced windows at first floor, over a rendered lean-to extension at ground floor with an artificial slate roof, replacement plastic fascia and rainwater goods. An opening to the northwest has an original timber-sheeted door accessed by three concrete steps. A two-storey gabled return abuts to the right, lit by various large modern window openings, with a replacement panelled-and-glazed timber door to the southwest. The northwest gable has two window openings at ground floor.

The building is set back from Lodge Road, in line with a neighbouring terrace to the northwest, with Coleraine Police Station to the southeast. A lawned front garden features a central concrete paved pathway leading to the entrance. Square stone piers with pointed sandstone caps, supporting original cast-iron latch gates, stand to either gable. A small yard to the rear is enclosed to the southwest by a rubblestone wall with freestone caps, and cement-rendered to the northwest with a timber-sheeted gate. The rear garden is lawned and contains a concrete mid-nineteenth-century lean-to shed. The rear return houses caretaker's accommodation.

The foundation stone was laid in 1886. The architect was William John Fennell, principally known for the Water Commissioner's office and the Mater Infirmorum hospital in Belfast. The contractor was J D Prenter. The hall was positioned to align with villas later built along Lodge Road and was constructed on land where travelling shows and circuses had previously pitched their tents. The building entered valuation records in 1887 at £30 and was leased by the Committee of Masonic Halls initially from James Johnston, then from Daniel Taylor from 1889. The hall cost £1100 to build and first appeared on the large-scale map of Coleraine in 1904.

In 1911, the caretaker was plasterer James Thompson, who lived in the rear caretaker's accommodation with his wife. Valuer's notes from the 1930s record ground-floor accommodation comprising a dining hall, cloak room, gents and ladies WCs, a kitchen, and a boiler house. The first floor contained a Lodge Room, cloak room, ante room, and WC. The entrance had stout iron rails six feet in height and iron double gates with a concrete wall (now removed). The hall was equipped with central heating and gas lighting. The dining hall was little used at this time as most Masonic dinners were held in the Town Hall, but the Lodge room retained a partly open roof which was wood-lined to create a handsome and imposing apartment with top ventilation, which remains present. The hall was shared by several lodges and was used more frequently than others, though no meetings were held from July to September. The building continues to function as a Masonic hall, with caretaker's accommodation remaining in the rear return.