History of the RMBI

In 1834 Dr Robert Thomas Crucefix (responsible for the formation of the Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Rite for England - Rose Croix) first proposed to the Grand Master, the Duke of Sussex, the foundation of an ‘Asylum for Aged and Decayed Freemasons’, to add to the two existing Masonic Charities. At the time it was not sure if sufficient funds were available and it was not until 1842 that Grand Lodge inaugurated the Royal Masonic Benevolent Annuity Fund for men and then, in 1849, the Female Annuity Fund.

The RMBI was thus founded in 1842 and named the ‘Institution for Worthy and Decrepit Freemasons’.

In 1850, the first Home was opened in East Croydon (pictured left), named the ‘Asylum for Worthy, Aged and Decayed Freemasons’.

The Home remained in Croydon for over 100 years until 1955, when, due to the need for bigger premises, the Home was transferred to Harewood Court in Hove, East Sussex, and subsequently ceased to be for Annuitants only. This property has recently been refurbished internally and externally and comprises of 120 apartments with bedroom, lounge, a fully fitted kitchen and bathroom / w/c. These are available for purchase on 125 year lease.

In the early 1960s, provision was extended to non-annuitants and, between 1960 and 1985, a further 14 Homes were set up or acquired around England and Wales.  Some homes are purpose built and others are conversions of existing buildings. These homes provide both residential and nursing care. Four more Homes have been opened since then, and a large number of people living in the community (including those on the Homes' waiting lists) receive pastoral care visits from the RMBI’s Care Advice Team.

The Grand President of the RMBI is the Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England. Full details of the Governing Body can be found on the RMBI’s website HERE .  

In 2008 the RMBI moved to Freemasons’ Hall where it is co-located with the other three central Masonic charities. The closest home to East Lancashire is Ecclesholme just over the border in West Lancashire on Vicars Street in Eccles. Ecclesholme was opened in 1977 and provides residential care for Freemasons and their dependants. Well in excess of 50% of the residents in Ecclesholme are East Lancashire Freemasons or their dependants.

Eccleshome

A complete list of RMBI Care Homes is displayed below:

Homes and Opening Dates

1955 Harewood Court, Hove, East Sussex

1966 Devonshire Court, Oadby, Leicestershire

1967 Scarborough Court, Cramlington, Northumberland

1968 Prince George Duke of Kent Court, Chislehurst, Kent

1971 Connaught Court, Fulford, York

1973 Lord Harris Court, Sindlesham, Berkshire

1973 Albert Edward Prince of Wales Court, Porthcawl, Mid Glamorgan

1977 Ecclesholme, Eccles, Manchester

1977 The Tithebarn, Great Crosby, Liverpool

1979 Queen Elizabeth Court, Llandudno, Conwy

1980 James Terry Court, Croydon, Surrey

1981 Cornwallis Court, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk

1983 Zetland Court, Bournemouth, Dorset

1985 Cadogan Court, Exeter, South Devon

1994 Prince Michael of Kent Court, Watford, Hertfordshire

1995 Shannon Court, Hindhead, Surrey

1996 Barford Court, Hove, East Sussex

1998 Prince Edward Duke of Kent Court, Braintree, Essex

2008 Scarborough Court, Cramlington, Northumberland (re-built on the original site)

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