Freemasons’ Hall Tour – 31st May 2014

Freemasons’ Hall is one of the best examples of Art Deco in England.

Freemasons' Hall

Brothers Dean and David arranged another visit to Freemasons’ Hall including a tour of the library and museum. On display was an abundance of masonic artefacts including masonic jewels, tools and aprons of beautiful and various designs. Freemasons’ Hall has been the setting for many TV shows and films, including ‘Johnny English’, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’, ’Spooks’, ‘Sherlock Holmes’ and ‘Green Zone’. Built between 1927–1932 as a memorial to the Freemasons who died in the First World War, it is one of the finest Art Deco buildings in England. It is now Grade II* listed internally and externally.

Freemasons’ Hall is the headquarters of the United Grand Lodge of England and the principal meeting place for Masonic Lodges in London. Grand Lodge has been in Great Queen Street since 1775, the present Hall being the third building on the site.

After the tour of Freemasons’ Hall the brethren and one lady friend had lunch at the Big Easy in Covent Garden. Excellent food, great atmosphere, reasonable prices and good service.

The photos below show the brethren relaxing with a coffee in the lounge before the tour.

The massive bronze doors to the Grand Temple, each leaf of which is 12 feet high, 4 feet wide and weighs over a ton. However, the doors and hinges are engineered so well that they can be moved with one finger!

The brethren in the Grand Temple trying out the Chair which is occupied by the Most Worshipful, the Grand Master, His Royal Highness, the Duke of Kent, four times a year at meetings called Quarterly Communications.

The ceiling of the Grand Temple.

The Casket and the stained glass window above the Memorial Shrine which remembers the 3,225 brethren who died during active service in the First World War.

The stained glass windows to the north and south elevations, also adjacent to the Memorial Shrine.

Our guide, Colin, during the tour, shown outside the entrance to the library and museum.

And brethren at lunch.