Tucked away just off Wednesday Market, Beverley Masonic Hall is one of those buildings many locals pass without ever stepping inside. Behind its elegant front lies a story that stretches back more than 150 years, and a venue that is very much part of Beverley’s community today.
From chapel to lodge
The building began life in 1856 as a chapel built by the Reform Methodists, replacing an earlier one in Well Lane. It seated around 500 people and had a Sunday school alongside. Over the years it passed to the United Methodist Free Churches and then, in 1907, to the United Methodist Church.
Its red-brick walls and stuccoed front, topped with a pediment supported by Corinthian pilasters, give it a quiet grandeur that still stands out on Trinity Lane. The chapel closed in 1926 and was sold to the freemasons. It is now a listed building. (Sources differ slightly on the construction date, with some local records giving an earlier one. The Hall’s own history page is the best place to confirm it.)
A hall for many purposes
Today the Hall hosts a number of Masonic orders throughout the year, but it is not only for members. It has become a flexible space for the wider town:
- Community events: The Mayor of Beverley held his Civic Dinner here, with civic dignitaries, honorary freemen and local supporters in attendance. The evening raised over £2,000 for the Cherry Tree Youth Hub.
- The arts: Beverley Music Theatre regularly rehearses in the building.
- Room hire: Rooms are available for private and community use.
Opening its doors
The Hall is not normally open to the public. During Heritage Open Days in September, though, members open the doors, answer questions and let visitors look around. No booking is needed, and it’s a good chance to see the architecture and learn what Freemasonry is really about.
Find us
Beverley Masonic Hall, Trinity Lane, Beverley, HU17 0DY
Leave Wednesday Market down Eastgate, and Trinity Lane is the first turning on the left, with the Hall on the right. Parking in the lane is limited, so the town centre car parks are the best option.
Whether you’re curious about local history, looking for a venue, or simply want to see inside one of Beverley’s most intriguing buildings, we’d love to welcome you.