The origins of Freemasonry are veiled in mystery. Some feel it dates back to the Roman Empire. Others say it had its beginning in ancient Egypt. While another group takes the allegories literally and believe it began with the building of the First Temple by King Solomon. Others find that the Knights Templar were the backbone of Freemasonry after escaping from mainland Europe to Scotland and England.
There are almost as many theories as there are Freemasons, and we will probably never know the real origins of the world’s oldest and largest fraternity. We do know that the first Grand Lodge was formed in London in 1717. Its successor, the United Grand Lodge of England, survives today having sired other Grand Lodges throughout the world.
The name Freemason appeared as early as the thirteenth century when master builders traveled throughout Europe erecting the cathedrals which grace most cities. They were called Freemasons because they were not subject to servitude or taxes, and free to travel about when most Europeans were not allowed those privileges.
Freemasons organized lodges so their secrets might be taught and preserved. They were quite cautious in who they allowed into their lodges. An applicant had to be of good reputation, have no physical impairment, recommended by members of the craft, and be neither too old nor too young to learn and perform the tasks assigned.
The applicant was investigated and if found to be suitable for admission, he was elected as an apprentice. The new apprentice worked under the supervision of master masons for seven years which served to prove his worth. After his seven-year apprenticeship he submitted his "master's piece" to the master and wardens of the lodge for their inspection and judgment. If the judgment was favorable, he became a fellow-of-the-craft learning more, theretofore unrevealed knowledge.
As Europe changed over the years, fewer cathedrals were built, and the lodges faced a drop in the number of applications for apprenticeship. Meanwhile, many men had become interested in the Freemasons, greatly admiring their moral rectitude and their steadiness of purpose. Eventually the lodges accepted others who were not operative Masons. It was this acceptance of non-operative Masons into the order that led to the present day title of Free and Accepted Masons, or Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons.
These new non-operative members were taught the same old rituals of conferring degrees and they were obligated in the same manner as were their operative brothers. The non operative members came to be known as speculative masons and their ranks grew steadily while those of the operative members continued to shrink. In time the membership of the Freemasons came to be almost totally speculative and remains so today.
Freemasonry continues to teach its members through the use of allegory and symbols. Freemasonry has changed over the centuries, yet it can be said that the more it changes, the more it remains the same.
Courtesy of The Grand Lodge of Illinois ©
The present Masonic Temple was conceived in the early years of this century. The existing Masonic Bodies (Macon Lodge #8, Ionic Lodge #312, Stephen Decatur Lodge #979, Great Light Lodge #1064, Macon Chapter #21 and Beaumanoir Commandery #9) saw a need for a new Temple that could serve the needs of their organizations. To this end, The Decatur Masonic Temple Association, Inc. was chartered on October 3, 1923. This new association would acquire the property and build the new temple. It would also be the governing body by way of its Board of Trustees.
Each of the Holding Bodies named above would have two Trustees representing them on the Board.
A building fund drive was launched and monies were raised for this purpose. The architectural firm of Holabird & Roche was selected to draw the plans for the new temple. On September 26, 1927, the general contract was let to the J. L. Simmons Company and construction proceeded.
The corner of William and Church Streets was selected as the site. To secure the land, a number of individual lots had to be acquired from their owners. County records indicate that at least 11 transactions were required to secure the parcel.
The building was designed in stunning Art Deco style and design inovations were far ahead of the times. The plans called for a solidly built structure of concrete and steel, encased in an Indiana Limestone facade. The massive ventilation system could change the air every seven minutes.
On March 28, 1928, Most Worshipful Grand Master Louis L. Emmerson and his Grand Officers of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, performed the Corner Stone laying ceremony. The ceremony involved thousands of Masons and tens of thousands of onlookers. A long parade made its way through the downtown streets and ended at the Northeast
Corner of the building. Thanks to the new art of movie making, the parade and festivities were preserved on 16mm film. We have had this original transferred to video tape. It can be viewed at the Temple.
Upon completion, the Temple was turned over to the Holding Bodies listed above. On January 18, 1929, Great Light Lodge #1064 conferred the Third Degree on Bro. Harry A. Swim. As this was the first work in the new Temple, all of the bodies participated. The degree was held in the Auditorium.
The Temple soon became the show place of Decatur. Its public accomodations were unsurpassed. The Ballroom ( or large dinning room) could seat 700 diners. The Auditorium could seat 1200. Many national and international celebrities were seen and heard in the Auditorium as part of The Community Lecture Series and the Community Concert Association. Symphony orchestras which played in the Auditorium included those of St. Louis, Dallas, Denver and Minneapolis. The annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner, the Kiwanis Pancake Day, the Macon County Historical Society's Antique Show, church services and revivals, political rallies, weddings and receptions, high school proms - all have found the Temple a popular place. It has truly been Decatur's civic center for many years!
The Temple had its beginnings in the period of unprecedented growth known as the "roaring twenties". Masonic growth had reached the point that Great Light Lodge #1064 was chartered to accomodate the growing membership of the Fraternity. The Temple was completed just prior to the blackest of economic times. In the course of human events came the great depression. No institution was spared its effects.
The Temple construction had been planned with great care, taking into account the economy and Masonic membership trends. The depression changed everything. Outside income and membership both suffered. In 1931, the value of the Temple property had a value of $832,375.89, withtotal liabilities of $393,582.19, for a respectable net worth of $438,793.70. With declining revenues, this debt became a burden. It was necessary to liquidate a portion of the mortgage. A group of dedicated Masons and friends organized a plan to save the Temple and succeded in surviving this black period. We still have a core of dedicated Masons striving to preserve this historic Temple for the future. The Holding Bodies now consist of Ionic Lodge #312, Stephen Decatur Lodge #979, Macon Chapter #21, Decatur Council #16 and Beaumanoir Commandery #9.T
Courtesy of http://www.decaturmasonictemple.com
