In the early 1960s, an ever increasing exchange of visitors between Ver Sacrum Lodge in Cologne and the British Lodges in the Rhine area, in particular Star of Saxony Lodge, led to the logical conclusion: "Why not form a German-British Lodge?"
And so it was that something new was created - a German-British Lodge, a Lodge where Brethren of German and British Lodges could practice the principles of Freemasonry together. This led - almost automatically - to the name "Bond of Friendship", expressive of the chain or tie of friendship between Masons, irrespective of their nationality. It is that name which the Lodge still carries with pride.
A petition, signed by 30 Brethren, was subsequently presented to the United Grand Lodges of Germany. The Provincial Grand Lodge of British Freemasons in Germany gave its support to this petition in an application to the United Grand Lodges, dated 8^th July 1964. In addition, the Lodges Ver Sacrum and Star of Saxony sent written declarations of their support of the new Lodge.
On 15^th July 1964 the United Grand Lodges of Germany authorised the new Lodge. The consecration took place on 24^th October 1964 in Cologne.
The Lodge originally met at the Haus der Kölner Freimaurer in Hardefuststraße, Cologne. The origins of the Bond of Friendship as a Cologne Lodge are alluded to by the three crowns depicted in the Lodge seal. The three crowns are derived from the Cologne city coat of arms and refer to the shrine of the three kings at Cologne Cathedral.
In 1969 the Lodge changed its meeting place to the Logenhaus at Dyroffstraße 2 in Bonn, where the Lodge continues to meet to this day.
Today, in its 41st year, the Lodge counts 46 members, and we continue the work of the Lodge with  dedication and enthusiasm. In earlier years, the British members of the Lodge were drawn from the Rhine Army, the British Diplomatic Service and from British companies in the Bonn-Cologne area. With the reduction of the British military presence in Germany and the transfer of the Federal Capital to Berlin, the first two groups are no longer represented among our resident Brethren. However, the proportion of British civilian members permanently based in the region has grown considerably. That being said, the majority of our local Brethren today are either Germans - often with personal connections to the UK - or citizens of other countries, not only English-speaking ones.
The Lodge may have started off as a German/British concept, but its membership today comes from many lands. Members of six different nationalities have served as Master of the Lodge, and our current members are from at least nine different countries. This truly shows the universality of Freemasonry - and of the Bond of Friendship Lodge.