A Century of Service to the Community

About Us

Howard Memorial Hall has been serving the people of Wigmore and the surrounding Medway area for over 100 years. Originally built in 1925 as the Wigmore Mission Hall, it was established by the Diocese of Rochester to meet the needs of a rapidly expanding community and to provide a local place of worship.

The original Mission Hall was a simple but versatile building, comprising an entrance lobby, a hall and a sanctuary. Unlike many churches of the period, it was furnished with chairs rather than pews, allowing it to be used not only for worship but also for community events and social gatherings.

In 1937, the Bishop of Rochester dedicated a beautifully carved altar and reredos, crafted by a local carpenter who also produced much of the building’s original woodwork.

As Wigmore continued to grow, the Mission Hall became too small to serve the expanding congregation. In 1952, an extension was added and dedicated as St. Matthew’s Church.

However, by the early 1960s, further housing development once again created the need for a larger church. A new St. Matthew’s Church was built in Drewery Drive, and after forty years of faithful service, the final service was held in the Mission Hall on Good Friday, 16 April 1965. With the congregation moving to its new home, the old building was scheduled for demolition.

Fortunately, its story did not end there.

Local builders Charles Howard and his son Ron Howard recognised both the historic value and the potential of the building. Members of Durobrivae Lodge, they purchased the former Mission Hall in 1968 and embarked on an extensive programme of restoration and conversion. Their vision was to preserve the building while creating a permanent home for Freemasonry and a social centre that could continue to serve the local community.

The former church extension was dedicated as a Masonic Temple in October 1968, while significant additions, including a kitchen, lounge, bar, meeting rooms, offices and improved facilities, transformed the former Mission Hall into the welcoming venue that exists today.

Charles and Ron Howard’s commitment extended beyond restoring the building. In 1975, they donated ownership of the Hall to the Durobrivae Lodge Benevolent Fund, a registered charity, ensuring that the building would continue to benefit both Freemasonry and the wider community for generations to come.

In recognition of their exceptional generosity, the building was renamed Howard Hall, later becoming Howard Hall Memorial Hall. Today, we call it the Howard Hall.

As more Lodges made Howard Memorial Hall their home, it became one of the principal Masonic Centres in East Kent. Its single-level design and excellent accessibility have made it an ideal venue for Freemasonry, private functions, community groups and charitable activities alike.

Today, Howard Memorial Hall remains true to the purpose for which it was first built a century ago: providing a place where people can come together in friendship and fellowship. From Mission Hall to church, community venue and Masonic Centre, its history reflects a century of dedication to the people of Wigmore and Medway, and it continues to play an important role in local life.