Masonic Lodge in Massachusetts

The Masonic Temple is definitely an historic former Masonic building at 339-341 Condition Street in Springfield, Massachusetts. The 4 story Neo-Classical building was built-in 1923 for everyone because the headquarters from the local Masonic lodge. It occupies a leading position opposite the Springfield Armory, just outdoors the downtown area. Your building, that is no more possessed through the Masons, was on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

The very first Masonic lodge started in Springfield in 1817. Between then and also the early 20's, Masonic organizations around town met in a number of places, such as the town hall, and facilities within an insurance provider building. The different lodges banded together to construct their first devoted space in 1893 at a corner of Condition and Primary Roads. Within the 20's a fund drive was organized to create a brand new facility. The firm of Edward McClintock and Charles Craig, both active Masons, was hired to create your building, that was built with a.At the. Stephens starting in October 1923, and formally devoted in June 1924.

Unlike the lodge built-in 1893 (where the first floor contained retail space), the whole building was utilized for lodge reasons. The primary entrance opened up right into a two-story foyer with marble flooring and staircase, and it was decorated with Greek Doric posts. The very first floor located two Blue Lodge facilities, one with space for 240 people another for 450. All these rooms had inlaid cork flooring and limestone walls, and house a pipe organ. The total amount from the bottom floor incorporated a reception desk, along with a meeting room for that lodge trustees. A mezzanine area had a workplace for that blue lodge secretary along with a fireproof vault.

The 2nd floor located a sizable space dedicated to You are able to Rite activities. The big space covered 500 people and it was, such as the bottom floor chambers, floored in inlaid cork, with limestone walls along with a pipe organ. The chamber also had an arcade based on support beams. More compact offices and storage rooms line the rest of this level, and there is again a mezzanine area with increased storage. The 3rd floor had the biggest space within the building. Having a capacity of just one, 500, including 300 inside a balcony, this chamber was utilized for Scottish Rite events, and featured a sizable and elaborate stage between the pipes of the organ.

On November 10, 1983, your building was on the National Register of Historic Places. It had been acquired in 2007 through the Archdiocese of recent England from the Worldwide Breaking of the bread from the Holy Christian Orthodox Chapel, which made substantial makeovers, transforming a few of the space into an memorial, and repurposing others for religious use. The archdiocese had financial hardships, and also the property was offered in a foreclosures auction to the mortgage holder in The month of january 2012.