Masonic Centre

Masonic Centre, Queen’s Road

Originally an 1830s private house

The Sussex Masonic Centre’s main building in Queen’s Road was originally a house built in the 1820s/1830s by Amon Wilds and Charles Augustine Busby. In the late 1890s the house was donated to the Masons by the Kidds, a wealthy brewing family and it was extensively modified. The front is divided into three bays by Doric pilasters with honeysuckle and palmette ornamentation. The original central flat-arched entrance is set back under a porch with Greek Doric columns. The central first-floor window was altered in the 19th century to a canted bay.

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Masonic Centre

Masonic Centre

1928 north wing extension

The north wing extension which includes the Masonic Temple has a flat arched entrance with a decoratively glazed overlight; it was opened in July 1928. The entrance is flanked by flat-arched windows with decorative glazing. The entrance and windows have architraves decorated with ribbing and corner blocks. Entering the building, the visitor cannot fail to be taken aback by its stunning interior. Redesigned by John Leopold Denman, it reflects the architectural and interior design of the Art Deco period.

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Masonic Centre

Masonic Centre

Art Deco inspired interior

Behind the entrance is a magnificent staircase in which an enormous brass and green glass chandelier is encased. The impressive Masonic meeting and dining rooms retain their original features of solid wooden panelling. The main Temple has the distinctive black and white chequered floor, representing the good and evil forces in the world, which is found in all Masonic Temples. The ceiling is domed with a central light-fitting which represents a sun motif radiating out to signs of the zodiac around the circumference.

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Masonic Centre

Masonic Centre