Among Downtown Sacramento’s grandest historic structures is the Masonic Temple at the northwest corner of 12th and J streets. The presence of this large, three-story, brick, architectural jewel of the city has attracted the attention of residents and visitors for many decades. Adding to the aesthetics of this historic structure is a pair of large sentries, the Knights Templar, which flank the entr
ance of the temple near the southwest corner of the building, along J Street. Other features include images of 13 cherubs riding upon fish and animals, several lion heads and other terra cotta work, as well as bricks, which were created at the historic Gladding, McBean and Co. As one of the largest buildings of the area, the Masonic Temple has served as the home of local Masonic lodges since 1918. During this time, a variety of local businesses have come and gone from the building’s street level business spaces, which line both 12th and J streets. Although this storied edifice will turn 100 years next year, Freemasonry is much older, both in and outside of Sacramento. A special day in Masonic history occurred when the cornerstone for the Temple was placed during a well-attended ceremony held on September 7th, 1918. The completion of the elaborate, three-story temple, which was constructed at a cost of $350,000, was celebrated with its official dedication, led by the Grand Master of Masons in California, MW Charles Albert Adams, on the evening of May 15, 1920. The program, which concluded with dancing in the magnificent Ball Room, also presented the public with the opportunity to tour the entire building. A tour of the new temple began with the street level foyer, which includes a marble staircase, elevator, tile work and a large terra cotta urn created at Gladding, McBean and Co. The building’s second floor includes four lodge rooms: the large and small Blue Lodge Rooms, the York Rite Red Room, and the Order of the Eastern Star (OES) Room. OES members, however, no longer meet in this room. The third floor consists of the Ball Room, the Club Room, the Lounge Room, and the balcony. The building also has two mezzanines, the first being on the second floor (2M) and including an office, kitchen, dining room and storage rooms. The second mezzanine is on the third floor (3M) and features a balcony overlooking the auditorium and a kitchen. Along with the opening of their new temple, local Freemasons have enjoyed continued success in the Capital City, which has been marked by anniversary celebrations of 50, 100 and 150 years of Freemasonry in Sacramento. Today, downtown Sacramento’s Masonic Temple is home to hundreds of local Freemasons of Union-Tehama Lodge No. 3, Washington Lodge No. 20, Sacramento Lodge No. 40, General Douglas MacArthur Lodge No. 853, and Philomathean Lodge No. 2. In addition to these lodges, three local York Rite bodies (Royal Arch Masons, Cryptic Masons, and Knights Templar) also meet in the building. Despite decreasing membership number in recent years, the future of local Freemasons remains promising. The temple’s director, Phil Hardiman, has been pleased to see new faces at the temple lately. As the local Masons continue through the first quarter of the 21st century, their sturdy, well-built temple stands as a testament to the strength and unity of the brothers of Sacramento’s historic Masonic lodges.
