Mark Masons' Hall, situated on St James's Street in London, is a distinguished centre for Masonic activity with a rich history and profound significance within the Masonic community. Established in 1979, the Mark Masons' Hall serves as the headquarters of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of England and Wales and its Districts and Lodges Overseas.
This elegant building not only functions as a meeting place for various Masonic Lodges but also stands as a symbol of the enduring traditions and values upheld by its members.
Explore Our Temples
Our temples, serving as venues for ceremonies, social gatherings, and administrative activities related to the Masonic fraternity, are equipped with advanced air conditioning and heating systems to ensure optimal comfort for meetings in any season. We are also committed to inclusivity, offering full wheelchair accessibility to ensure all members feel welcome and supported.
Click the buttons below to view each of our temples
- The Grand Temple
- The Brazil Temple
- The Bristol Temple
- The Hong Kong Temple
- The River Plate Temple
- The Warwickshire Temple
- The Johann Gutenberg Temple
The Grand Temple
The Grand Temple offers seating for up to 210 attendees with an additional dais area which can be made available for an additional 30 attendees. Its stunning stained-glass windows honour the Provinces and Districts that contributed to securing the lease.
Adorning the walls are portraits of esteemed Past Grand Masters and Past Pro Grand Masters, including Lord Leigh, the first Grand Master, whose portrait is displayed prominently in the far-right corner. There is a full sound system with stand & collar microphones available.
The Brazil Temple
The Brazil Temple is an impressive example of the architectural style of its era, with seating capacity for up to 45 people. This exquisite temple is often reserved for VIP Units.
A defining feature of the temple is its furniture, originally loaned to the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons (GLMMM) by the Lodge of the Nine Muses No. 235 (administered at Freemasons' Hall). This furniture was a generous gift from Mr. Cipriani (whose portrait is depicted in the accompanying image of the temple) to the Lodge. Among the most striking elements are the candle stands, adorned with miniature portraits of the Nine Muses.
The Bristol Temple
The Bristol Temple, located on the 3rd floor can accommodate up to 60 guests, this Temple embodies the rich traditions of Bristol, renowned for its distinctive Masonic rituals and historical significance.
Bathed in natural light, it stands out as a favourite for visiting Units. This Temple can be set up to accommodate each of the 10 Orders administered at GLMMM but is usually reserved for Craft, Red Cross of Constantine & Royal & Select Masters.
The Hong Kong Temple
The Hong Kong Temple is also located on the 3rd floor and can accommodate up to 60 guests, Its name is a tribute to the longstanding Masonic ties between the United Kingdom and Hong Kong, and it was bestowed with this name due to being one of the five Provinces or Districts that made the highest contribution per Lodge, to purchase a 99-year lease for Mark Masons' Hall.
This Temple can be set up to accommodate each of the 10 Orders administered at GLMMM but is usually reserved for Craft, Knights Templar Priests & Royal Arch Chapter.
The River Plate Temple
The River Plate Temple is located on the 2nd floor and can accommodate up to 60 guests.
This Temple can be set up to accommodate each of the 10 Orders administered at GLMMM but is usually reserved for Royal Arch Chapter.
The Warwickshire Temple
The Warwickshire Temple is also located on the 2nd floor and can accommodate up to 50 guests. The walls of the Temple features banners from the Preceptories of the Masonic Order of Knights Templar, while framed displays present banners of two past Grand Masters, complete with their personal Coats of Arms. The original batons are also visible within the framed displays in this room. Illuminated by natural light, the Warwickshire Temple provides a comfortable setting for up to 50 guests, making it well-suited for Masonic gatherings. This Temple can be set up to accommodate each of the 10 Orders administered at GLMMM but is usually reserved for Knights Templar & Malta Orders.
The Johann Gutenberg Temple
The Johann Gutenberg Temple is located on the lower ground floor and can accommodate up to 50 guests.
Conveniently located adjacent to the lockers, this underground temple offers a consistently comfortable temperature. This Temple can be set up to accommodate each of the 10 Orders administered at GLMMM but is usually reserved for Royal Arch Chapter.
Fun Facts: In December 1977, the General Board of Grand Lodge agreed to purchase a 99-year lease on 86 St James’s Street to be the new Mark Masons’ Hall. As a contribution towards the costs of purchase and conversion from its previous use as the Constitutional Club, a final push was made to boost the New Premises Fund, which had been in existence for many years. As an incentive to contributing lodges, it was agreed that the six temples other than the Grand Temple would be named after the five Provinces or Districts which made the highest contribution per lodge and the London or unattached lodge that made the highest contribution per member (in those days London was not a Province, its lodges being administered directly from Mark Masons’ Hall). When the result of the appeal was announced in 1980, the highest contributing Provinces and Districts were Brazil, Bristol, Hong Kong, River Plate (Argentina and Uruguay) and Warwickshire, while the highest contributing lodge was Johann Gutenberg, No. 976. The Temples were dedicated by the Grand Master, Lord Stradbroke, on 30 September 1980.
Meeting and Dining Rooms at Mark Masons' Hall
Mark Masons' Hall also boasts seven unique meeting and dining rooms, each offering a sophisticated environment for formal events. Among them, the Earl of Euston Room is particularly cherished, providing stunning views of the City of London through its windows. These elegant spaces serve as venues for members to gather, dine, and foster fellowship, playing a crucial role in hosting both Masonic and social events while enhancing the overall experience for all guests.
The Masonic Keystone
The Masonic Keystone is a symbolic emblem in Freemasonry.
It represents a central, wedge-shaped stone used in constructing arches, essential for holding the structure together. Symbolically, the Keystone signifies strength, unity, and completion, reflecting the role of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding in building character and moral integrity.
Inspectorates
In Freemasonry, the Coat of Arms is a symbolic representation that encapsulates the values, principles, and heritage of the organisation. While it is not universal, as specific coats of arms may vary by Grand Lodge, they often incorporate traditional Masonic symbols.
In the centre is a shield across which is represented the upper portion of an arch, built of large white stones; while above and below the arch are the colours blue and red, associated with the Mark Degree. Over the arch is superimposed a Keystone in silver, completing the arch.
In the centre at the top is a representation of a man’s right hand, bearing a Keystone, in the manner of a Mark Man presenting his right hand to receive his wages.
At each side stands a figure; that on the left being a workman from the quarries, bearing a Keystone. That on the right being a man wearing the white apron of a mason and holding an axe ready to inflict the punishment usual in the case of an imposter attempting to receive the wages of a Mark Master Mason without giving the token.
The Crest. A visored helm sinister (facing left) mantled (with fabric adornments) rouge (red) and argent (silver) surmounted by the top of a crenelated tower from which ascends a right forearm and hand in which is held a white keystone bearing an equilateral triangle, point upwards.
Below are the Latin words ‘Lapis Reprobatus Canut Anguli’ which translate to - the stone which was rejected has become the head of the corner.
History of Mark Masons' Hall
86 St James's Street is a Crown property and Grade Il listed. At the time of its construction between 1862 and 1865, the building was described as "High Victorian". The property consists of seven levels which includes the lower ground floor and basement.
The present building at 86 St James's Street was built between 1862 and 1865 following a design by Sir James Thomas Knowles (1831-1908). From 1866 to 1869 it was occupied by the Civil Service Club with residential apartments on the upper floors...
