Franklin Rooms
Our History
Freemasonry in the Medway towns long predates Franklin Road; lodges met in taverns and halls in Chatham, Rochester, Old Brompton and New Brompton through the 1800s. Franklin Road became the home of Gillingham Freemasonry in the early 1920s.
Timeline
13 Dec 1787
Gillingham Lodge of Benevolence No. 184 warranted
The lodge holds its first meeting at the Crown and Thistle, Chatham.
6 Sep 1921
The Gillingham Masonic Club Company Limited incorporated
Its registered office is at the Masonic Centre, Franklin Road.
21 Nov 1922
St George's Lodge No. 4387 resolves to move
The lodge votes to move to the new Masonic Hall, Franklin Road.
20 Feb 1923
First meeting in the newly completed Franklin Road hall
The installation meeting of St George's Lodge.
1924
Two further lodges arrive
Gillingham Lodge of Benevolence No. 184 and Manor of Gillingham Lodge No. 3983 begin meeting at Franklin Road.
1947
The name “Franklin Rooms” first appears in Masonic records
It is recorded with the consecration of St Mary's, Gillingham Green Lodge No. 6499 on 22 July 1947.
9 Sep 1964
A first for the Province of Kent
The first centenary meeting of any Mark lodge in the Province of Kent is held here, by United Service Lodge No. 69.
Later years
Masonic meetings move to the present building at No. 65
The original 1923 hall is today a Sikh temple.
Date being researched
21 Nov 2023
St George's Lodge No. 4387 celebrates its centenary
The centenary is marked at Franklin Rooms.
Help us complete our history
Do you have photos, programmes, newspaper cuttings or memories of Franklin Rooms? Please get in touch.