Freemasonry started out in England in the 17th century with similar constitutions later set up in different parts of the world. Mr. William Napier (Singapore's first law agent) was the first Freemason to be initiated in Singapore in 1845 at Lodge Zetland, located at the corner of the Esplanade and Coleman Street. Designed by Donald McLeod Craik, the two-storey building once had an imposing gate of black spikes, and for many years, the locals called it ‘rumah hantu’ (“haunted house” in Malay), as few knew anything about what happened in this exclusive clubhouse which was associated with “strange ceremonies”. Non-members were permitted to visit the ground floor with its bar, dining room, billiard table and jackpot room, while the area upstairs—the Temple—was used for gatherings and traditional ceremonies involving members only.
