New Masonic Temple on:
[Wikipedia]
[Google]
[Amazon]
The New Masonic Temple is a historic building in
Webpage
about the history of the Lindell neighborhood * German Wikipedia article {{coord, 38, 38, 18, N, 90, 14, 06, W, region:US-MO_type:landmark_source:kolossus-dewiki, display=title Buildings and structures in St. Louis Neoclassical architecture in Missouri Landmarks of St. Louis Masonic buildings completed in 1926 Masonic buildings in Missouri Midtown St. Louis 1926 establishments in Missouri
The New Masonic Temple is a historic building in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis () is the second-largest city in Missouri, United States. It sits near the confluence of the Mississippi River, Mississippi and the Missouri Rivers. In 2020, the city proper had a population of 301,578, while the Greater St. Louis, ...
, built in 1926. Like many other buildings built for Freemason meeting places, it shows Classical Revival architecture
Neoclassical architecture is an architectural style produced by the Neoclassical movement that began in the mid-18th century in Italy and France. It became one of the most prominent architectural styles in the Western world. The prevailing style ...
.
Named a city landmark in 1976, the 386,000-square-foot building stands 185 feet high and encloses more than six million cubic feet. There are 14 levels: six full floors and eight mezzanines
A mezzanine (; or in Italian language, Italian, a ''mezzanino'') is an intermediate floor in a building which is partly open to the double-height ceilinged floor below, or which does not extend over the whole floorspace of the building, a loft ...
.
The Temple's ground was broken in 1923 and dedicated in 1926. Created by architectural company Eames & Young
Eames and Young was an American architecture firm based in St. Louis, Missouri, active nationally, and responsible for several buildings on the National Register of Historic Places.
History
The principals were Thomas Crane Young, FAIA and Will ...
with consulting architect Albert B. Groves
Albert Bartleton Groves (1866 - 1925), also known as A.B. Groves or Albert B. Groves, was an American architect who practiced in the St. Louis, Missouri area.
Groves was born in Providence, Rhode Island and attended architectural courses at Cor ...
, it features classic Greek Ionic-style exterior architecture with various styles throughout the interior.
The Masonic Temple is built in three receding stages, symbolic of the three steps in Masonry. Constructed of Bedford limestone
Limestone ( calcium carbonate ) is a type of carbonate sedimentary rock which is the main source of the material lime. It is composed mostly of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of . Limestone forms whe ...
with gray granite trim, the main lobby is finished in marble; other rooms have their original wool carpet. The building has an unfinished theater with 2,200 seats.
The lobby contains a 38-foot mural titled “The Origins of Freemasonry”, which was created in 1941 by African American artist Jessie Housley Holliman. Dedicated by Senator Harry S. Truman, it is the only surviving mural by the noted artist in a St. Louis public building.
Then-Senator and Freemason Grand Master Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman (May 8, 1884December 26, 1972) was the 33rd president of the United States, serving from 1945 to 1953. A leader of the Democratic Party, he previously served as the 34th vice president from January to April 1945 under Franklin ...
kept an office in the building. Charles A. Lindbergh
Charles Augustus Lindbergh (February 4, 1902 – August 26, 1974) was an American aviator, military officer, author, inventor, and activist. On May 20–21, 1927, Lindbergh made the first nonstop flight from New York City to Paris, a distance o ...
was initiated and participated as a mason at the Temple before his renowned 1927 flight. In 1980, ''Escape from New York
''Escape from New York'' is a 1981 American science fiction action film co-written, co-scored and directed by John Carpenter. It stars Kurt Russell, Lee Van Cleef, Ernest Borgnine, Donald Pleasence, Isaac Hayes, Adrienne Barbeau, and Harry Dea ...
'' with Ernest Borgnine
Ernest Borgnine (; born Ermes Effron Borgnino; January 24, 1917 – July 8, 2012) was an American actor whose career spanned over six decades. He was noted for his gruff but relaxed voice and gap-toothed Cheshire Cat grin. A popular perfor ...
filmed a scene on the Temple's steps. Borgnine, a Mason, attended Masonic meetings in the building.
The ground and first floors and the first-floor mezzanine have areas where the general public is admitted only on days when a meeting is held, which is currently 10 per month. The second floor contains the Eastern Star quarters. Third and fourth floors and their mezzanines were designed to house the Blue Lodges with the potential for eight Blue Lodge halls. The four halls and the fourth floor were not completed, and one area on the third floor was made into a dining room.
Fifth and sixth floors were designed to house three of the York Rite organizations, which are known as the Chapter, Council, and the Commandery. Most of the building is non-sectarian, but the fifth floor features Christian symbolism. The fifth level hall is 100’ long, 75’ wide and 48’ high.
See also
* Moolah Temple of the Mystic Shrine, at 3821 Lindell Boulevard, completed in 1912 * Scottish Rite Cathedral (St. Louis), at 3627 Lindell Boulevard, completed in 1924References
External links
Webpage
about the history of the Lindell neighborhood * German Wikipedia article {{coord, 38, 38, 18, N, 90, 14, 06, W, region:US-MO_type:landmark_source:kolossus-dewiki, display=title Buildings and structures in St. Louis Neoclassical architecture in Missouri Landmarks of St. Louis Masonic buildings completed in 1926 Masonic buildings in Missouri Midtown St. Louis 1926 establishments in Missouri