The United Grand Lodge of England

Freemasons' Hall Virtual Tour - The Memorial Shrine

Freemasons' Hall was originally known as the Masonic Peace Memorial, built in the terrible aftermath of the First World War when all hope was that civilised nations would never again take up arms. The whole building was a Memorial built to commemorate the Brethren who died in the war to end all wars. This particularly beautiful hall houses The Memorial Shrine which records the names of 3225 Brethren.

view of ceiling showing numerous strips of decorative effects
view of Peace Memorial from far left of the hall
close-up view of ceiling centre
long shot of Peace Memorial in context with marble pillars either side and stained glass window behind
wide angle view of Peace Memorial showing areas of wall either side engraved with names of Lodges
close-up view of some Lodge names engraved on the walls

The scroll of names is contained within an ornately decorated brass and bronze casket, designed by Walter Gilbert (1871-1946), who also designed the Victoria Memorial facing Buckingham Palace. It is set between two marble pillars in front of a stained glass window depicting the attainment of Peace through Sacrifice. The hall abounds in polished marble walls and flooring, with a brightly painted ceiling of intricate detail. On the walls on either side of the casket are engraved the names of every Craft Lodge that subscribed to the erection of this building.

closer view of casket in its entirety showing the ornate detailing
close-up of kneeling figure in army uniform

top view looking down on parchment scroll with names of fallen Brethren. panel to the rear incorporates the words 'In God we Trust' with 1914 and 1918 either side

Kneeling in permanent homage to the fallen, the casket is surmounted by four brass figures representing the four main services in which Brethren were engaged during the war; the Royal Navy, the Army, the Royal Flying Corps, and the Merchant Navy. The vellum scroll is viewed through a window set in the lid of the casket and can be rolled forward or backward by use of a handle on the front. Each name is beautifully written and arranged according to the Brother's Mother Lodge.

three-quarter view of casket
view along the length of the front of the casket with statuettes

view showing prow of boat upon which the entire casket is resting

The main body of the casket is made up of finely detailed bronze panels and brass statuettes representing figures from the Old Testament. Often overlooked by those dazzled by the beauty of the casket itself is the fact that it rests on an Egyptian boat, figuratively representing the final voyage of the dead sailing up the Nile. Look more closely and you will see the prow of the boat carving its way through a bed of reeds, see photos at bottom right. There are fluorescent lights built into the base which you should ask to be turned on if they are not already, as it will enhance your viewing.

Freemasons' Hall was originally known as the Masonic Peace Memorial, built in the terrible aftermath of the First World War when all hope was that civilised nations would never again take up arms. The whole building was a Memorial built to commemorate the Brethren who died in the war to end all wars. This particularly beautiful hall houses The Memorial Shrine which records the names of 3225 Brethren.

The scroll of names is contained within an ornately decorated brass and bronze casket, designed by Walter Gilbert (1871-1946), who also designed the Victoria Memorial facing Buckingham Palace. It is set between two marble pillars in front of a stained glass window depicting the attainment of Peace through Sacrifice. The hall abounds in polished marble walls and flooring, with a brightly painted ceiling of intricate detail. On the walls on either side of the casket are engraved the names of every Craft Lodge that subscribed to the erection of this building.


Kneeling in permanent homage to the fallen, the casket is surmounted by four brass figures representing the four main services in which Brethren were engaged during the war; the Royal Navy, the Army, the Royal Flying Corps, and the Merchant Navy. The vellum scroll is viewed through a window set in the lid of the casket and can be rolled forward or backward by use of a handle on the front. Each name is beautifully written and arranged according to the Brother's Mother Lodge.



The main body of the casket is made up of finely detailed bronze panels and brass statuettes representing figures from the Old Testament. Often overlooked by those dazzled by the beauty of the casket itself is the fact that it rests on an Egyptian boat, figuratively representing the final voyage of the dead sailing up the Nile. Look more closely and you will see the prow of the boat carving its way through a bed of reeds, see photos at bottom right. There are fluorescent lights built into the base which you should ask to be turned on if they are not already, as it will enhance your viewing.