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

Katherine Low Settlement

Katherine Low Settlement

A charity founded as part of the settlement movement, in tribute to philanthropist Katherine Mackay Low who had died the year before. It supports after-school projects and a youth club for young pe...

Group, Social Welfare

1 memorial
Charles Hopton

Charles Hopton

Born into a wealthy merchant family and admitted as a child to the Guild of Fishmongers. His will provided for almshouses to be built in the parish of Christchurch, Blackfrars, for poor, single men...

Person, Benefactor, Social Welfare

2 memorials
Reginald Brabazon, 12th Earl Meath, KP

Reginald Brabazon, 12th Earl Meath, KP

Born near Belgrave Square. The Earl of Meath was actively engaged in social and philanthropic work. He was the first chairman of the Young Men's Friendly Society, first President of the British Col...

Person, Gardens / Agriculture, Philanthropy, Social Welfare

1 memorial
Pimlico District Heating Undertaking

Pimlico District Heating Undertaking

The first district heating system built in the UK, with the UK's largest thermal store, the accumulator. It supplies heat to 3,256 homes, 50 business premises and three schools. Owned and managed b...

Group, Commerce, Engineering, Social Welfare

1 memorial
The Engine Room

The Engine Room

From their website: "The Engine Room helps activists, organisations, and other social change agents make the most of data and technology to increase their impact."

Group, Philanthropy, Social Welfare

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Lance Corporal Sydney Alfred Everton

Lance Corporal Sydney Alfred Everton

Sydney Alfred Everton was born on 5 October 1894 in Sudbury, Middlesex (now Greater London), the elder child of Alfred Wallis Everton (1863-1931) and Jessie Everton née Langford (1873-1965). His bi...

Person, Armed Forces, France

War dead, WW1
1 memorial