Salt Lake Masonic Temple
| Salt Lake Masonic Temple | |
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Salt Lake Masonic Temple, front view from across South Temple St.
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| General information | |
| Architectural style |
Egyptian Revival |
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Salt Lake Masonic Temple
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| Location | S. Temple St., Salt Lake City, Utah |
| Coordinates | 40°46′10″N 111°52′11″W / 40.76944°N 111.86972°W |
| Area | 119 acres (48.2 ha) |
| Built | 1926 |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Mixed (more than 2 styles from different periods) |
| Part of | South Temple Historic District (#82004147) |
| Added to NRHP | July 14, 1982 |
| Location | Salt Lake City, Utah, United States |
| Coordinates | 40°46′08″N 111°52′20″W / 40.76889°N 111.87222°WCoordinates: 40°46′08″N 111°52′20″W / 40.76889°N 111.87222°W |
| Construction started | 1926 |
| Completed | 1927 |
| Cost | approximately $250,000.00 (1927) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Carl W. Scott |
Egyptian Revival
The Salt Lake Masonic Temple is the Masonic headquarters for Utah, and is Salt Lake City's best example of Egyptian Revival Architecture. It was completed in 1927, and is located in the South Temple Historic District of Salt Lake City, Utah.
The Salt Lake Masonic Temple consists of several Lodge rooms, greater and lesser Halls, numerous lounges, a banquet hall, an auditorium, a library and administrative offices. The Temple is currently home to the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Utah; five Salt Lake City Masonic Lodges (Wasatch Lodge No. 1, Mt. Moriah Lodge No. 2, Argenta Lodge No. 3, Salt Lake Lodge No. 17, and Progress Lodge No. 22) The Orient of Utah of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry; the Grand York Rite Bodies of Utah, and constituent Salt Lake York Rite Bodies; El Kalah Shrine; as well as the Grand Bodies for the ladies and youth organizations.
The building remains in continual use since it opened in 1927 and is maintained and operated by the Salt Lake Masonic Temple Association.
The primary function of the building is the performance of the various rituals of the several Masonic organizations in Salt Lake City, and to provide a convenient location for administrative functions of the Utah Masonic family. The building is available for use by non-Masonic entities and persons.
The decision to build the Salt Lake Masonic Temple took shape in the fall of 1920 as the Masonic population in Salt Lake City had outgrown the existing Temple then located at the intersection of 2nd East and 1st South. The architect and Building Committee traveled to other cities reviewing existing Masonic Temples for favorable and unfavorable elements. Ultimately the committee resolved that the Salt Lake Masonic Temple be unique and not copied from existing Temples. By 1925 the plans had been completed, the land was purchased, and the interior furnishings arranged.
Much of the discussion preserved from the planning meetings centers on the amount of Masonic symbolism built into the Temple, and how it should be concealed, if at all.
The Salt Lake Masonic Temple has been considered Salt Lake’s best example of Egyptian Revival architecture. The Egyptian motif was chosen for several reasons: 1. the Egyptian style was the height of fashion at the time; 2. existing Temples largely followed elements of the classical orders of architecture, so the Egyptian motif would ensure a unique Masonic experience; and 3. it provided ample opportunity to incorporate Masonic symbols without disclosing their presences or disrupting the visual harmony of the edifice.
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