Masonic Home of Missouri History

In 1875, MWB John C. Ralls presented the idea of “a ‘Home’ for the indigent widows and minors (orphans) of worthy (deceased) Master Masons … to be located in some suitable and healthy place.” Through the hard work of many, the Masonic Home opened the doors of the St. Louis Home in 1889. The Masonic Home expanded in St. Louis into a full campus of care facilities and opened the Western Unit, an assisted living facility, in Kansas City in 1986. 

In 1991, the Board of Directors made the difficult decision to close the St. Louis facility and relocate the residents living there. At the same time, the Board created the Outreach Program, a financial assistance program that could reach Masons and Eastern Star members in their communities. In 2011, the Board of Directors sold the Western Unit to focus all of its efforts on the Outreach Programs.

The Outreach Program expanded from a single financial assistance program to multiple programs, each satisfying a slightly different need throughout the Masonic Family. The Outreach Programs continue to meet the Masonic Home’s mission by providing relief to Masons, their wives or widows, ladies of the Eastern Star, and their dependent children.

The Masonic Home of Missouri continues to find ways to partner with Lodges and Chapters, serve more of the membership through our non-financial assistance programs, and preserve our history in the Masonic Museum and Research Library.