About Apollo
Apollo University Lodge no. 357, founded in 1819, is the Freemasons' Lodge of the University of Oxford.
The Lodge welcomes any qualified visitors who have intimated their desire to attend to the Secretary in good time (at least 4 days before the Meeting). It is often the case that visitors attend in groups; we regularly welcome a large delegation from Paris and from sister University Lodges within the Universities Scheme and the Association of Medical, University and Legal Lodges. Some Brethren make a visit to Apollo the centrepiece of a visit to Oxford with their friends.
All visitors must expect to be examined by the Junior Warden if unknown; please bring your Grand Lodge Certificate.
Dress is usually black tie (dinner jacket and black bow tie), formal white tie evening dress or uniform, but please do not be dissuaded from attending if you do not possess evening dress. Officers of the Lodge wear formal court dress (cf. the picture of Bro. Wilde in Apollo Court Dress). Masonic dress is always undress regalia for Provincial and Grand Officers.
Two ceremonies are usually worked at each Meeting, and it is not unusual for ceremonies to include a number of candidates - for practical reasons, usually not more than seven. The Lodge usually meets at 4.30pm - for the Installation Meeting the Lodge is opened at 4.00pm - and Brethren wishing to attend for the second ceremony only should arrive at the Temple before 6pm. Rehearsals are held on the Saturday preceding the Lodge Meeting at 333 Banbury Road at 10.30am.
The dining fee is currently no more than £25, which includes a modest allocation of wine; the bar is able to supply further bottles if necessary, at your own expense. A charitable collection is made at the Festive Board. The Lodge usually supports University and local charities.
The Tyler's Toast is usually before 10pm, though the bar remains open later.
There is adequate car parking at 333 Banbury Road, which is on the right, travelling south, a few hundred yards from junction of the northern loop of the Oxford Ring Road with Banbury Road.
Members of the Lodge are reminded that it is customary, if dining without guests, not to mark one's place at table until after 7 p.m.
