As a result of a chance meeting in West Street, Horsham in January 1961, W Bro W H H Stapley invited Bro G R Whatham to a meeting in his office and W Bro N C Harris, Secretary of March & Darnley Lodge No 1141 (the oldest masonic lodge in Horsham) attended in an advisory capacity. It was generally agreed that March & Darnley Lodge was getting too large a membership to enable a Brother to progress in the Craft at a reasonable rate. In view of the large number of Brethren who now resided in the Horsham District there was a real need for another Lodge in the town.
An informal meeting was held on 1st March 1961 with a view to exploring the possibilities of forming a new Masonic Lodge in Horsham. W Bro Stapley proposed that if a new Lodge were formed then W Bro Gordon H Clayton should be elected the first Worshipful Master. Bro Whatham proposed that twenty Founder Members should be regarded as the minimum number with which to proceed.