Who we are today

Gillingham Lodge of Benevolence No. 184 meets at The Franklin Rooms, Franklin Road, Gillingham. Our members are tradespeople and teachers, engineers and shopkeepers, serving and retired, young men in their twenties and men who have been Freemasons for half a century. What we share is a wish to enjoy good company and to make ourselves useful.

What matters to us

Three things run through everything we do. The first is friendship: an evening at the Lodge, and the meal that follows it, is where our friendships are made. The second is self-improvement: Freemasonry encourages each of us to be a better man than we were, and gives us a gentle framework for thinking about how we live. The third is benevolence — the word in our name — which we express by supporting local people and good causes across Medway and Kent.

Meeting at the Franklin Rooms

Our meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month from October to May, with the Installation of a new Master each March. A meeting has two halves: the formal business of the Lodge, and then dinner together, which is every bit as important. Guests and visiting Freemasons are always welcome.

You can see all our dates on the Meetings page.

The Province of East Kent

Our Lodge is one of many in the Province of East Kent, the regional body that brings together Lodges across this part of the county under the United Grand Lodge of England. The Province supports its Lodges, coordinates charitable giving through the Cornwallis East Kent Freemasons Charity, and runs events that bring members and their families together.

You can learn more at eastkentfreemasons.org, or read about Freemasonry in England and Wales at ugle.org.uk.

Coming to see us

If any of this interests you, the easiest next step is simply to say hello. Our Become a Freemason page explains what happens after you get in touch, and you are welcome to write to the Lodge Secretary through our Contact page.