York Masonic Temple on Lindell

steve · PostApr 05, 2008#12008-04-05T20:36+00:00

This hulking structure on Lindell near Spring has always intrigued me. I've always wondered what it looks like on the inside. I thought it was abandoned because I've never seen anyone go in or out of it, nor have I ever seen any lights on. Turns out I was wrong.

I stumbled on this collection of photos of the inside. Click on the right arrow near the top of the page to continue the tour. It's pretty damned impressive.

A member of one of the Masonic orgs that still uses the building writes a little blog about it.

Together, they're a great insight into one of Saint Louis' most unique and mysterious places.

bevo bill · PostApr 06, 2008#22008-04-06T17:56+00:00

When I graduated from SLU, the Arts & Sciences graduation ceremony was held there in the main auditorium. (many other departments did as well, but I don't remember which ones).

That was 1998- IDK if they still use it...

debaliviere · PostApr 06, 2008#32008-04-06T20:06+00:00

My fraternity initiation was held there - it's incredibly ornate and beautiful. They have an old time elevator that requires an operator.

PostApr 06, 2008#42008-04-06T20:07+00:00

Bevo Bill wrote:When I graduated from SLU, the Arts & Sciences graduation ceremony was held there in the main auditorium. (many other departments did as well, but I don't remember which ones).

That was 1998- IDK if they still use it...

Interesting. My graduation - A&S 1997 - was held at the Scottish Rite, another cool building.

drdrew · PostApr 07, 2008#52008-04-07T03:55+00:00

I was in the Scottish Rite for the first time during the First Night celebrations this year. Very cool. Quite ornate, and large. Not as impressive as the Fox though.

MattnSTL · PostApr 07, 2008#62008-04-07T04:29+00:00

DeBaliviere wrote:
Bevo Bill wrote:When I graduated from SLU, the Arts & Sciences graduation ceremony was held there in the main auditorium. (many other departments did as well, but I don't remember which ones).

That was 1998- IDK if they still use it...

Interesting. My graduation - A&S 1997 - was held at the Scottish Rite, another cool building.

I was the last class to graduate from there- Public Service 2007. Nice space. Now all of the pre- commencements will be at the Chaifetz Arena.

Thanks for the Masonic Temple pics. I've always wondered what the interior looked like.

bevo bill · PostApr 07, 2008#72008-04-07T09:24+00:00

Okay, I'm an idiot. My graduation was also in the Scottish Rite building. I got the two confused. I have never been in the mason temple one.

Carry on.

steve · PostApr 07, 2008#82008-04-07T16:42+00:00

A&S '04 was also at the Scottish Rite.

Although the University will save money, it's a little sad that Chaifetz will be used for all the pre-Commencement ceremonies. Powell Hall and the Scottish Rite were really nice for graduation exercises--far more appropriate than a sports arena.

MattnSTL · PostApr 07, 2008#92008-04-07T19:51+00:00

I agree. Much more intimate, and graduationy feeling.

jlblues · PostApr 07, 2008#102008-04-07T20:47+00:00

Did anyone see the room where they sacrificed the babies?

southslider · PostApr 07, 2008#112008-04-07T21:40+00:00

^Or Brain's lair in post-apocalyptic, free-for-all, walled-off, prison-island New York?

dutchtowner · PostApr 08, 2008#122008-04-08T14:40+00:00

I vaguely recall that, during the mid 90s when I was at SLU, the Freemasons floated the idea of selling the York Rite Temple to the university, which wanted to use it as a performing arts space and the HQ for a ramped-up fine arts program. This was when the Rev. LB was in full Lorenzo de Medici, patron of the arts, mode, but before the university lost something like $75 million of the endowment when the stock market went sour.

The masons' offer, however, was withdrawn after much of the brotherhood objected. Probably unrelated fact, unless you're a conspiracy nut: Not long after, some temple functionary died there by falling down an elevator shaft.

debaliviere · PostApr 08, 2008#132008-04-08T14:53+00:00

^

Good memory - I had forgotten about all of that!

mophipsi · PostApr 30, 2008#142008-04-30T12:34+00:00

Last weekend I learned that the York Masonic Temple has partnered with a developer to convert the bottom 3 floors of the Temple into modern office condominiums. Additionally they have tenants lined up for several of the office condos. The upper 3 floors would still be reserved for Masonic use as lodgerooms and meetings for other groups that also meet there. THey will also be leasing spaces for the offices from the Scottish Rite Parking Garage next door.

This will add more office workers to Grand Center and should be a great addition to the neighborhood, while preserving and restoring the building.

framer · PostMay 01, 2008#152008-05-01T04:30+00:00

Sounds like a good plan.

roger wyoming II · PostDec 12, 2014#162014-12-12T13:55+00:00

6.5 year thread bump. Masons are putting the building up for sale so Grand Center/SLU area gets another unique opportunity.

http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/ ... f5a51.html

I've never been inside and the Masons never completed many planned features. Could be cool.

debaliviere · PostDec 12, 2014#172014-12-12T15:09+00:00

It's a REALLY cool building. Pretty amazing. We used to have our fraternity initiations there and would go exploring.

True_dope · PostDec 12, 2014#182014-12-12T15:11+00:00

Is this building empty or not, every time I walked by it look like it was.

moorlander · PostDec 12, 2014#192014-12-12T15:51+00:00

Masons still use it 10 days a month so not totally

beer city · PostDec 12, 2014#202014-12-12T17:11+00:00

The article says SLU tried to buy in 1996 - I think its a no brainer as a collegian level school of performing arts, but I wonder if the events of 96 left a bad taste in everyone's mouth. I am guessing that this time the Masons will be moving out all together, there numbers get thinner every year. It would be great to get Stages and/or the Rep to move to GC - but the auditorium is too large, Still if the took part of it for other uses and got the number down to about 1,000 it could work.

roger wyoming II · PostDec 12, 2014#212014-12-12T17:45+00:00

^ that reminds me of the situation at the Grandel.... anyone know what's up with that? Also, does anyone know if the Emerson Theater and Harris-Stowe will be the Black Rep's permanent home?

It would be nice to get another nice theater draw in Grand Center.

Presbyterian · PostDec 13, 2014#222014-12-13T00:25+00:00

Grandel is moving forward. No details yet.

moorlander · PostFeb 23, 2015#232015-02-23T15:26+00:00

Sales brochure with more pics.
http://hillikercorp.com/wp-content/uplo ... levard.pdf

shadrach · PostFeb 23, 2015#242015-02-23T19:16+00:00

...place gives me the creeps

erina · PostFeb 23, 2015#252015-02-23T20:27+00:00

shadrach wrote:...place gives me the creeps

It's Stonecutter Lodge!