History of the RMBI
Grand Lodge inaugurated the Royal Masonic Benevolent Annuity Fund for men in 1842 and the Female Annuity Fund in 1849. The following year, 1850, the first Home was opened in East Croydon (pictured right), named the "Asylum for Worthy, Aged and Decayed Freemasons", and the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution (RMBI) was established.
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.
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.
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 our Care Advice Team.
Homes and Opening Dates
1955 Harewood Court, Hove, East Sussex
1966 Devonshire Court, Oadby, Leicestershire
1967 Scarbrough 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
1986 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 Scarbrough Court, Cramlington, Northumberland (re-built on the original site)
