Freemasonry in Pontefract can be traced back at least to a report in the ‘Leeds Mercury’ that on New Years day in 1771, Freemasons wearing regalia and led by a Brass Band paraded through the streets of Pontefract scattering hands full of money.

In 1861, three Pontefract citizens, Messrs Ryder, Rogers and Routledge approached Bro J Rhodes saying they wished to join the craft. Bro Rhodes knew of two others in Pontefract, Bro’s Tew and Hall, they joined four others from the Wakefield Lodge No 727 in petitioning for a warrant to establish Saint Oswald’s Lodge, Warrant No 1212.  This was changed during the renumbering of lodges in 1863 to 910.

Two daughter lodges, Legolium No 1542 and De Lacy No 4643 were later formed. De Lacy Lodge was founded and consecrated on 4 November 1924 to accommodate the number of candidates seeking admission to St Oswald Lodge.