The distinctive, Egyptian-themed exterior of a building in Boston is to be refurbished thanks to a £14,000 grant.

Boston Masonic Hall, in Main Ridge West, is to receive the revamp as a result of a new fund set up by the Freemasons.

It is one of the first grants to come from the organisation’s Centenary Hall Stone Appeal, which aims to raise £100m over 10 years to invest in buildings used by Freemasons around the world.

The grant will be used to repair the front of the building, last refurbished in 1988.

Set for its first refurbishment since the 1980s, the exterior of Boston Masonic Hall, in Main Ridge West.

placeholder image — Set for its first refurbishment since the 1980s, the exterior of Boston Masonic Hall, in Main Ridge West.

Dave Wheeler, Lincolnshire’s most senior Freemason, said: “At more than 160 years old, Boston Masonic Hall was created long before any of us was born; this grant, made before we’ve even formally launched the appeal in Lincolnshire, will help to sustain it long into the future for Freemasons and the wider community.”

The Centenary Hall Stone Appeal – due for its Lincolnshire launch in January next year – is seeking to reach its £100m target exclusively with donations from Freemasons themselves.

Dave said: “The appeal’s intention is to ‘futureproof’ our buildings, sustaining them not only as places for Freemasons to meet, but also for use by members of the community for a range of functions.

“All of our buildings could potentially benefit, from our flagship Freemasons Hall in London's Covent Gardens to buildings like the one in Boston which has been given this very early grant.”

Boston Masonic Hall was built in 1863 for the Lodge of Harmony, which still meets there.

It carries a Grade II* listing, meaning it is recognised by Heritage England as ‘particularly important’ and ‘of more than special interest’.

The frontage – which has earned a civic award – is made from Ancaster stone and modelled on the Temple of Dendur in Nubia, which was completed by 10 AD and since the 1960s has been part of the collection at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Despite the appeal’s long-term view, Dave added: “The award for Boston indicates that United Grand Lodge of England is not dragging its feet when it comes to putting funds where they can do the most good.

“I’d like to congratulate all the Freemasons who’ve contributed to creating the application that resulted in this grant. It hasn’t been easy, but the results justify the effort and commitment.”