The Benevolent Institution for the Relief of Aged and Infirm Journeymen Tailors was founded on 10th February 1837 by John Stultz, a wealthy West End tailor, who became its first President.

The Institution provided a fund for elderly journeymen who were incapacitated from work by age, debility or blindness. It was intended eventually to provide an asylum for them and their wives. Masters and journeymen, as well as firms, could become members by taking out an annual subscription. After three years of membership, journeymen became eligible to claim an out-pension. No journeyman over 35 years of age could become a member.

At one of the anniversary meetings Stultz announced to those present that he would present the Institution with a piece of land on which to build an Asylum. In due course, on the sale of the Southampton estate, he purchased a plot of land of some one and a half acres for about £1,000.

The foundation stone for the Asylum was laid by the Marquis of Salisbury on 31st May 1842.

Built in red brick and stone in the Gothic style, and standing in the middle of a large garden, the Asylum consisted of ten almshouses, four of which had been paid for by subscription and the other six by John Stultz. Stultz had also built and endowed the chapel, located in the centre of the almshouse blocks, which was consecrated by the Bishop of London, Charles James Blomfield, on 24th June 1843.

The Asylum accommodated 40 pensioners and their wives. Each almshouse consisted of eight rooms, with two rooms allowed to each pensioner, who had been selected by the Board of Directors following a ballot by members. Aged tailors of every nation of the world, regardless of creed, were eligibie. At the opening of the Asylum there were 36 pensioners and their wives, with the remainder due to be elected later in the month. The dwelling at the south end was appropriated for the chaplain.

In addition to free accommodation, each pensioner received an annual stipend of £20 16s (£20.80), plus coals, medical attendance and medicines.

However, by 1937, the cost of maintaining the outmoded building had become so great that the Institution decided to sell the site.

Current status