Masonic Orphans' Welfare Committee

During the First World War many families (including Masonic families) in Belfast lost fathers. A need was identified to provide assistance in a more organised manner than how it had been previously.

In response to a request from the Belfast Masonic Widows' Fund in 1917, the Belfast Masonic Charity Fund agreed to enter into a joint venture to form a committee whose object would be “to look after the welfare of the children under their charge and report as requested by said Committee”. 

Brother McCormick moved that the committee be formed, which was seconded by Brother Dalzell and passed. The first representatives from the Belfast Masonic Charity Fund to what became known as the Masonic Orphans' Welfare Committee were Bro. Dalzell, Bro. Logan, Bro. F Finlay, Bro. Gouk, Bro. Meharg, Bro. S. Jones, Bro. James Gilmour, Bro. William Reid, Bro. McCormick, Bro. Joseph R Erskine, Bro. James Brown & Bro. George Park. 

The Masonic Orphans' Welfare Committee were given financial support from the Belfast Masonic Charity Fund and the Belfast Masonic Widows' Fund, and in the early days the Masonic Orphans' Welfare Committee assisted in hundreds of cases, with assistance ranging from advice, the arrangement of placing of boys in apprenticeships and girls in to service, accommodation (often with Masonic Widows), and financial support (often in the form of loans). 

Individual Members of the Masonic Orphans' Welfare Committee frequently personally financially supported deserving cases - one example which appears in the early minutes is of a Medical Student at Queen's University being supported by a member to the tune of £100 in 1918 (around £6000 allowing for inflation to 2020 prices)

The Masonic Orphans' Welfare Committee continues to serve Masonic families on behalf of Masonic lodges over 100 years later, and while the world has changed substantially the Masonic Orphans' Welfare Committee have stayed close to their original purpose, although there is now no requirement for the child or young person to have been orphaned.

The Objects of the Masonic Orphans' Welfare Committee are now - “the prevention & relief of poverty by means of advice, encouragement, promotion and deserving financial assistance to benefit the welfare of children (natural or adopted), orphans (natural or adopted), or grandchildren (natural or adopted) of Freemasons, being eligible up to the age of 25 years.” 

Contact can be made via post to 

The Secretary

Masonic Orphans' Welfare Committee 

49 Main Street,

Ballyclare. 

Co Antrim.

BT39 9AA 

Telephone - 02890451020.