It was early in October 1867 that a group of Freemasons, headed by Joshua Nunn, gathered together in what was called a 'coffee house of repute' and framed a petition to 'The Most Worshipful Grand Master of the United Fraternity of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of England' who was at that time the Earl of Zetland.

This petition was supported by a recommendation from the Master, Officers and Brethren of the Old Kings Arms Lodge, which included the words ... "it will tend to elevate the principals of Masonry and improve the morale of the Order, by removing it from the association of Taverns and experiences concurrent thereto." One wonders what were the experiences mentioned but from this recommendation you will gather that the Eclectic Lodge was a Temperance Lodge. Again it is interesting, to note that one of the founder members was a wine Merchant. The Old Kings Arms Lodge No. 28, which was consecrated in 1725, is still in existence and the Master at the time of the supporting letter was a William Nunn, no doubt a relative of Joshua. There was some further correspondence and on 18th November 1867 the petition was returned signed "Granted, Zetland G.M."

The Consecration took place on December 16th 1867 and Joshua Nunn presented the Lodge Volume of the Sacred Law. Six of the Founder Members became Masters of the Lodge in successive years from 1867/8 to 1873..