On 17th May 1771 Lodge Kilwinning No.0, granted a charter to form Lodge Tarbolton Kilwinning (in Tarbolton). Several of the brethren however, seeing clearly that the power of Mother Kilwinning was on the decline, and wishing to erect a Lodge under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, which since 1736 was steadily growing in power, applied to that body to form another Lodge, and on 5th February 1773, St. David Tarbolton No.174, was chartered. Those brethren still attached to the original Lodge, seeing the wisdom of working under the Grand Lodge of Scotland likewise applied to that body for recognition, which resulted in the erection of Lodge St. James, No.178 in 1774.

It was then realised by the members of both Lodges, that there was not room for two Lodges to operate successfully in such a small village, and naturally a little jealousy crept into both Lodges. After discussions by members of either Lodge, it was agreed to sink their differences and form a union of the two Lodges. This was affected on 25th June 1781, under the name of St. David's Tarbolton, No.174 since this Lodge held the oldest charter from Grand Lodge.

Robert Burns of Lochly was initiated into Lodge St.David on 4th July 1781, for a fee of 12/6d. He was passed and raised on 1st October, 1781. Joseph Norman being the Master. 

A disruption of the joint Lodge took place in June 1782, so the history of the United Lodge, although brief, was none the less glorious for all times, having the distinction of making Burns a Mason.

Some of the members of the united Lodge objected to Lodge St. James losing its identity, and on 17th June 1782, another Lodge was erected under the former name of St. James, Tarbolton. At the present time, this Lodge appears on the Roll of the Grand Lodge of Scotland as Lodge Tarbolton (Kilwinning) St. James No.135.

Both Lodges operated rather shakily for a time, the stronger one being Lodge St James, having the support of Bro. Robert Burns who was one of the seceders of the distribution and he was appointed Depute Master on 27th July 1784.

Lodge St David, eventually became dormant in 1843, the Minute Books and certain other articles passing into private hands, but fortunately the Charter was recovered by the then Provincial Grand Master and returned to the Grand Lodge of Scotland, The Lodge was re-opened in 1869 as Lodge St David (Tarbolton) Mauchline No. 133, having had several meeting places in Mauchline until acquiring it’s own premises in Loudoun Street on 10th October 1959.

In the late 1920's or early 1930's, the wooden chest containing quite a number of historical possessions of the Original Lodge, was unfortunately destroyed by fire, but fortunately we still possess the Original charter, Masters' Gavel, Lodge Standard and Senior Warden's Chair. (All Featured in The Gallery)

We, the present day members, owe a deep debt of gratitude to our predecessors in office, for the part they played in preserving our glorious history, and we promise to do everything in our power to do likewise and ensure that the Lodge will go on from strength to strength.

Robert Lawrence P.M. 133 (Deceased)