Masonic Temple (St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador)
Encyclopedia
The Masonic Temple built in 1894 at St. John's
, Newfoundland
, Canada
is an example of Victorian
construction which includes pilaster
s, free-standing columns and multiple pediment
s.
The building was constructed from large bricks imported from Accrington
and built upon a stone foundation. It is three stories and contains several classical motifs
, it includes pilaster
s, free-standing columns and multiple pediment
s. 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 Chalker Crosbie
.
The cornerstone was laid in a Masonic ceremony conducted by Former Newfoundland prime minister (and Freemason) Sir William Whiteway
held on August 23, 1894. 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. The last Masonic meeting in the temple was held in June 2007. The Masonic Temple has since been sold, and there is no longer any Masonic connection with the building, and no Masonic events are held there.
The Masonic Temple was designated a Registered Heritage Structure by the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador
in April 1995.
Currently the Masonic Temple is owned by Spirit of Newfoundland, and used mainly by artists of all artistic genres, with the core business being dinner and show.
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
, Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
is an example of Victorian
Victorian architecture
The term Victorian architecture refers collectively to several architectural styles employed predominantly during the middle and late 19th century. The period that it indicates may slightly overlap the actual reign, 20 June 1837 – 22 January 1901, of Queen Victoria. This represents the British and...
construction which includes pilaster
Pilaster
A pilaster is a slightly-projecting column built into or applied to the face of a wall. Most commonly flattened or rectangular in form, pilasters can also take a half-round form or the shape of any type of column, including tortile....
s, free-standing columns and multiple pediment
Pediment
A pediment is a classical architectural element consisting of the triangular section found above the horizontal structure , typically supported by columns. The gable end of the pediment is surrounded by the cornice moulding...
s.
The building was constructed from large bricks imported from Accrington
Accrington
Accrington is a town in Lancashire, within the borough of Hyndburn. It lies about east of Blackburn, west of Burnley, north of Manchester city centre and is situated on the mostly culverted River Hyndburn...
and built upon a stone foundation. It is three stories and contains several classical motifs
Motif (art)
In art, a motif is an element of a pattern, an image or part of one, or a theme. A motif may be repeated in a design or composition, often many times, or may just occur once in a work. A motif may be an element in the iconography of a particular subject or type of subject that is seen in other...
, it includes pilaster
Pilaster
A pilaster is a slightly-projecting column built into or applied to the face of a wall. Most commonly flattened or rectangular in form, pilasters can also take a half-round form or the shape of any type of column, including tortile....
s, free-standing columns and multiple pediment
Pediment
A pediment is a classical architectural element consisting of the triangular section found above the horizontal structure , typically supported by columns. The gable end of the pediment is surrounded by the cornice moulding...
s. 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 Chalker Crosbie
John Chalker Crosbie
Sir John Chalker Crosbie, was a Newfoundland politician and businessman.Born in Brigus, Newfoundland, the son of George Graham Crosbie and Martha, he started a company, Crosbie and Company, which was an exporter of fish. In 1908, he was elected to the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly...
.
The cornerstone was laid in a Masonic ceremony conducted by Former Newfoundland prime minister (and Freemason) Sir William Whiteway
William Whiteway
Sir William Vallance Whiteway, QC KCMG was a politician and three time Premier of Newfoundland. Born in England, Whiteway emigrated to the island in 1843 and entered the law in 1852. In 1859 he was elected to the House of Assembly as a member of the Conservative Party of Newfoundland and became a...
held on August 23, 1894. 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. The last Masonic meeting in the temple was held in June 2007. The Masonic Temple has since been sold, and there is no longer any Masonic connection with the building, and no Masonic events are held there.
The Masonic Temple was designated a Registered Heritage Structure by the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador
Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador
The Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador is a non-profit organization which was established by the Provincial Government of Newfoundland and Labrador in 1984 to stimulate an understanding of and an appreciation for the architectural heritage of the province...
in April 1995.
Currently the Masonic Temple is owned by Spirit of Newfoundland, and used mainly by artists of all artistic genres, with the core business being dinner and show.