Masonic Temple (St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador)
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The Masonic Temple built in 1894 at St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada is an excellent example of Victorian lodge construction which includes pilasters, free-standing columns and multiple pediments.
On December 24, 1746 the first Freemasonry warrant was granted to Newfoundland by The Grand Lodge of Boston. Where they did not have a formal building to hold meetings the Masons were forced to meet at various places in the city. The first formal Masonic building in St. John's was built on Long's Hill in 1885. It was a wooden structure that fell victim to the Great Fire of 1892. From the insurance that was carried on the building the Masons had erected a larger more durable structure to replace the wooden original.
Freemason and former Newfoundland prime minister Sir William Whiteway laid the cornerstone on August 23, 1894. The Masonic Temple was made from large bricks imported from Accrington and built upon a stone foundation. It is three stories and contains several classical motifs, it includes pilasters, free-standing columns and multiple pediments. An elaborate pipe organ decorates the main room which was dedicated on April 28, 1916 with a large portion of the funding contributed by Sir John C. Crosbie.
The Freemasons held the first Masonic meeting in the structure on November 1, 1896, but the order did not consecrate the building until April 23, 1897. It is the home to the following orders;
- The District Grand Lodge of Newfoundland and Labrador of the Grand Lodge of Scotland
- The Grand Lodge of Newfoundland and Labrador
- Nine Craft Lodges
- Chapter of the Royal Arch
- Preceptory
- York Cross of Honour
- The Order of the Red Cross of Constantine
- The Royal Order of Scotland
The Masonic Temple was designated a Registered Heritage Structure by the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador in April 1995, and is listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places.
UPDATE: The Masonic Temple has since been sold. There are no longer any Masonic events being held in the temple and there are no longer any Masonic connections. The last degree / masonic meeting in the temple was held in June 2007 where the Royal Arch Chapter did a Royal Arch Degree. It is quite sad that this piece of history was cast to the wayside by the Masons of Newfoundland and Labrador.
[edit] External links
- History of the Masonic Temple by the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador
- Picture and history of the Masonic Temple
- Grand Lodge of Newfoundland and Labrador
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