Group    From 1829 

Metropolitan Benefit Societies Asylum

Categories: Social Welfare

The MBSA was created by John Christopher Bowles to 'afford an asylum for the reception of aged and infirm members of Friendly Societies' who lived in or near London.  Patrons were Queen Victoria and her mother, the Duchess of Kent.  At first this was provided in houses rented for the purpose but once they had the funds they built the almshouses, designed by S. H. Ridley, with the Lord Mayor laying the foundation stone of the north block on 17 August 1836 (the Duchess's birthday) providing accomodation for 28 residents.  In 1865-6 the side wings added homes for 64 couples.  The west wing is named after Mary Ann Mackenzie who helped fund it.  By WW2 the name had changed to Metropolitan Benefit Societies Almshouses.  It is now a registered housing association.

The picture is from c.1863.  All images that we have found show the building complete so we imagine the side wings were only delayed rather than not originally intended.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Metropolitan Benefit Societies Asylum

Commemorated ati

Metropolitan Benefit Societies almshouses

Seems likely the plaques were put up when the side wings were added, in 1865-6.

Read More

Other Subjects

United Westminster Almshouses

United Westminster Almshouses

A scheme of the Charity Commissioners dated 11 July 1879 consolidated the separate almshouses in Westminster founded by James Palmer, Nicholas Butler and Emery Hill, into the United Westminster Alm...

Building, Social Welfare

2 memorials
Immigration to Spitalfields

Immigration to Spitalfields

Spitalfields has experienced a number of waves of immigration from other countries, often driven from home due to difficult or dangerous conditions. The French Huguenots escaping religious persecut...

Concept, Community / Clubs, Social Welfare

1 memorial
North Islington Infant Welfare Centre and School for Mothers

North Islington Infant Welfare Centre and School for Mothers

Founded by Florence Keen.  1983 renamed 'Manor Gardens Centre'.

Group, Children, Social Welfare

2 memorials
Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton (d.1915)

Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton (d.1915)

Politician. Born Essex. Grandson of the first baronet.  Governor of South Australia. Died in a cottage at Cromer, rather than in his nearby family seat, Colne House, because at the time, WW1, that ...

Person, Politics & Administration, Race Issues, Social Welfare, Australia

0 memorials
Keith Dudley Hoare, SBSTJ

Keith Dudley Hoare, SBSTJ

At Gibraltar Fire and Rescue Service this photo is captioned: "Captain W. H. Keith Hoare relinquished Military Duties and was appointed as the first Gibraltarian civilian Fire Chief of Gibraltar. H...

Person, Social Welfare, Gibraltar

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Surbiton war memorial - WW1 names and WW2

Surbiton war memorial - WW1 names and WW2

KT6, Ewell Road

There are several names at the bottom of the memorial which are not in alphabetical order. Presumably these were added after the memorial...

War dead | WW1
388 subjects commemorated