New Plymouth was the headquarters of a large number of British troops, and many belonged to the Masonic fraternity.

In 1864 these military Brethren started planning the formation of a Lodge under the Grand Lodge of Ireland, to be located in New Plymouth. So born from conflict and with a military tradition, the De Burgh Adams Lodge emerged.

On 13th January 1865, a formal application was made to the Provincial Deputy Grand Master of the Provincial Grand Lodge of New Zealand, namely RW Brother Henry De Burgh Adams, for a dispensation to open and work a Lodge in New Plymouth. It was to be called the De Burgh Adams Lodge. Later that month the dispensation was received and on 8th February 1865, an assembly of Brethren met at the Lodge room, Masonic Hotel, Devon Street on the site currently occupied by the Bank of NZ on the corner of Devon and Brougham Streets.

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The Lodge was duly constituted and after its dedication, a parade was formed with masons in Regalia marching to St. Mary’s Church (now St. Mary’s Cathedral), the oldest stone Church in New Zealand, and which is still proudly serving New Plymouth’s Anglican community. The service held there was given by a De Burgh Adams member, the Reverend (Parson) Brown. A banquet was held with many speeches and toasts.

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It is a little unusual for a Lodge to be named after a person living at the time. However, Henry De Burgh Adams was prominent in the foundations of Irish Freemasonry in New Zealand and his enthusiasm founded many Lodges during his time here. Unfortunately, because of the distance from Auckland and his Masonic and Army duties, Henry de Burgh Adams was never able to visit this Lodge. He departed for England in November 1866, never to return.