Grant will protect unique exterior of building that’s home to Boston’s Freemasons
Jason and Christopher pass to the second degree together
October 16, 2026
Boston’s unique Masonic Hall has been given one of the first grants from the Centenary Hall Stone Appeal with the award of more than £14,000 to repair its unique Egyptian-themed exterior – even before the Appeal’s formal launch in Lincolnshire.
The funds will be used to repair the front of the building, last refurbished in 1988. PGM Dave Wheeler said the grant was the perfect example of what the Centenary Hall Stone Appeal is being set up to do. He said: “At more than 160 years old, Boston Masonic Hall was created long before any of us was born; this grant, made before we’ve even launched the appeal in Lincolnshire, will help to sustain it long into the future for Freemasons and the wider community.”
The Centenary Hall Stone Appeal, due for its Lincolnshire launch in January next year, will run for ten years with the objective of raising £100m to invest in the buildings used by Freemasons around the world. Dave said: “The intention is to ‘futureproof’ our buildings, sustaining them not only as places for Freemasons to meet, but also for use by members of the community for a range of functions. All of our buildings could potentially benefit, from our flagship Freemasons Hall in London’s Covent Gardens to buildings like the one in Boston which has been given this very early grant.”
Boston Masonic Hall was built in 1863 for the Lodge of Harmony, and was the home Lodge for Walter Clegg and Walter Bond Gilbert, authors of words and music of our Opening and Closing Odes.
The building’s Grade II* listing reflects its special architectural and historic interest, while the frontage has earned a civic award. The building is mentioned in the Pevsner Architectural Guide as one of the buildings of great historic importance in Boston.
The front of the building is made from Ancaster stone and modelled on the Temple of Dandour in Nubia, an unusual and highly visible architectural feature.
The Appeal’s £100m target won’t be achieved quickly; as Dave adds: “We should bear in mind that this is a ten-year programme, and we should take a long-term view. However, the award for Boston indicates that UGLE is not dragging its feet when it comes to putting funds where they can do the most good.
“I’d like to congratulate Mike Gerry, our Provincial Grand Superintendent of Works, and all of the other people who’ve contributed to creating the application. It hasn’t been easy, but the results justify the effort and commitment.”
