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History of Freemasons' Hall | United Grand Lodge of England

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The history of Freemasons' Hall, established by the United Grand Lodge of England, traces its origins to 1769 when plans for a central hall were initiated. The site on Great Queen Street was acquired in 1774, and the hall was dedicated in 1776, becoming a key venue for Masonic activities. Significant renovations occurred under Sir John Soane in the 1820s, followed by extensions from 1862 to 1869. In 1919, the Masonic Million Memorial Fund was created to rebuild the hall in memory of members lost in the Great War, leading to a new design competition in 1925. The new building was dedicated in 1933. The hall opened to the public in 1985, emphasizing its role as a Masonic center while hosting non-Masonic events. Subsequent renovations included office conversions in 2007 and the restoration of the Grand Temple organ in 2014. Memorials for Victoria Cross recipients were unveiled in 2017 and 2019, honoring Freemasons' contributions during the Great War.

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December 7th, 2025

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February 10th, 2026

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External source: www.ugle.org.uk

History of Freemasons' Hall | United Grand Lodge of England

  • 1769: The Premier Grand Lodge announced plans to build a central hall and began registering members to raise funds.
  • 1774: A site was acquired in Great Queen Street, London, consisting of a tavern house and a garden leading to a second house. Thomas Sandby, RA, won the architect’s competition for the hall.
  • 1776: The new Freemasons’ Hall was dedicated on 23 May, becoming an important venue for Masonic events and social life in London.
  • 1814: Sir John Soane became Grand Superintendent of Works and carried out extensive remodelling in the 1820s.
  • 1862 – 1869: The original hall was extended to the east by Frederick Pepys Cockerell in a classical style.
  • 1919: The Masonic Million Memorial Fund was established to rebuild Freemasons’ Hall as a memorial to members who died in the Great War.
  • 1925: An international architect’s competition was held, won by H. V. Ashley and Winton Newman. Over £825,000 was raised for the building fund.
  • 1927: The foundation stone for the new building was laid on 14 July at the Royal Albert Hall.
  • 1927 – 1933: Construction of the new building progressed, starting with the tower.
  • 1933: The new Freemasons’ Hall was dedicated on 19 July by the Grand Master, HRH The Duke of Connaught.
  • 1985: The hall opened to the public, returning to its original ethos of being a Masonic centre and hosting non-Masonic events.
  • 2007: The lower ground floor was converted into modern offices for national Masonic charities.
  • 2014: The Henry Willis & Sons organ in the Grand Temple was restored.
  • 2017: A memorial to Freemasons awarded the Victoria Cross during the Great War was unveiled on 25 April.
  • 2019: A Victoria Cross Remembrance Stone was unveiled on 27 June in honor of English Freemasons awarded the VC.