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.

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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.

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Other Subjects

Emanuel Hospital

Emanuel Hospital

Founded as part of the legacy of Anne, Lady Dacre. Originally it was an almshouse and a school for poor children.

Building, Social Welfare

1 memorial
Rachel McMillan

Rachel McMillan

Health visitor and educator. Born at Throggs Neck, Westchester county, New York. Both her parents were from Scotland, and the family returned there when her father died. She and her sister Margaret...

Person, Education, Social Welfare, USA

1 memorial
Mr Robert Aviss

Mr Robert Aviss

Administrator of the Putney Pest House Charity, 1862.

Person, Politics & Administration, Social Welfare

1 memorial
Notting Hill Group Ministry

Notting Hill Group Ministry

The Guardian obituary for Rev. Norwyn Denny gives "The Methodist minister the Rev Norwyn Denny, who has died aged 85, was a pioneer of the modern urban mission in Britain. His work in Notting Hill,...

Group, Religion, Social Welfare

1 memorial
Samaritans

Samaritans

Formed by Chad Varah at St Stephen Walbrook Church to befriend the suicidal and despairing. The Samaritans gives a good history of the organisation including how it was named: "Chad Varah had achi...

Group, Social Welfare

2 memorials

Previously viewed

R. Townsend

R. Townsend

Carpenter at St Pauls in 1979.

Person, Craft / Design

1 memorial
Shirley Anne Field

Shirley Anne Field

Actor. Born Shirley Broomfield in Bolton, Lancashire. She started her career as a glamour model. Laurence Olivier chose her to play the prime female role in the film 'The Entertainer' and she also ...

Person, Cinema, Theatre, TV & Radio

1 memorial
Benjamin Disraeli

Benjamin Disraeli

Born Theobalds Road which at the time was 6 King's Road. Novelist, e.g. Coningsby, Sybil, and Tancred. Tory Prime Minister in 1868 and 1874 - 1880. 1st Earl of Beaconsfield. Clearly an interesting ...

Person, Literature, Politics & Administration, Seriously Famous

6 memorials
Joseph Healey

Joseph Healey

Role on the lost expedition: Royal marine on SS Erebus. See John Franklin.

Person, Exploring, Tragedy

1 memorial
J. T. Bowles

J. T. Bowles

Either lost his life, or gave distinguished service to the London Fire Brigade, and was buried in the Highgate Cemetery plot between 1884 and 1955.

Person, Emergency Services

1 memorial