Freemasonry in Hubli was founded in the year 1886 with the formation Lodge Hubli No. 735 SC (Scottish Constitution) under the Mastership of W. Bro. W. G. Lyons.  Thus the centenary of Lodge Hubli No. 44 (under the Indian Constitution) was celebrated in 1988.  Freemasonry had become quite popular in the area and Lodge Hubli already had over 80 members on it’s rolls. It was taking an inordinately long time for Brethren to take up the ladder and a loss of interest was being noticed.  Many new candidates were being proposed, but it was many months before a candidate could be initiated after being proposed.  It was for these reasons that a new Lodge was mooted by the brethren of Lodge Hubli and as it was to be consecrated during the Centennial celebrations, it was named after the first master of the parent lodge – hence Lyons Centenary Lodge No. 274 was consecrated on 25th August1988.

The consecration ceremony was carried out in an impressive manner by the then Grand Master of Grand Lodge of India M W Bro Justice Prakash Narain who installed W. Bro. Dr. P S Huilgol (now R. W. Bro.) as the Founder Master.  There were 15 Founder Members.

An interesting piece of information is that the Lodge was started as a ‘dry’ Lodge and the festive board did not serve alcoholic beverages for the first three years of its existence.  It was probably the only ‘dry’ Lodge in the country.  The Lodge has grown from its very inception and at present has 60 members.  Except for three years, the Lodge has always participated in Ritual Working Competitions during the last 18 years.  It has been acknowledged as a pre-eminent Lodge in Ritual Working. 

The seniors of the Lodge have always ensured that Rituals are given the due importance with great emphasis on floor working.  W. Bro. Ramesh M Naik who was the Director of Ceremonies of the Lodge for over a decade has always guided the members of the Lodge to give their best.  So much so, that in most of the years that the Lodge participated in the RWC, it has reached the Second Stage of the competition.

  In 1997, the Lodge made a clean sweep of all the premier prizes awarded including the ‘Best Lodge’, the ‘Best Master’ and the ‘Best Deacon.’  W. Bro. V S Nayak was the Worshipful Master and W. Bro. Mohan Mankani was the Senior Deacon who won these accolades.  Deservedly, W. Bro. R M Naik was judged as the ‘Best Director of Ceremonies’ of the region during the year 2003. 

Decennial celebrations were conducted during 1998 and the then RGM M W Bro Arun Chintopanth presided over the function.  The banner of the Lodge was also dedicated on the same day.  In the year 2000 the Lodge won an Area Trophy as ‘Best Lodge in Karnataka’ under the Mastership of Late W. Bro. P Aravind Shetty.

List of founders