Scottish Rite Temple, 2011 Dupont Ave South, Minneapolis, Minnesota
From Placeography
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Revision as of 14:03, May 26, 2019
| Edit with form | |
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Scottish Rite Temple | |
| Address: | 2011 Dupont Avenue S |
| Neighborhood/s: | Lowry Hill East, Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| City/locality- State/province | Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| County- State/province: | Hennepin County, Minnesota |
| State/province: | Minnesota |
| Country: | United States |
| Year built: | 1890 |
| Primary Style: | Richardsonian Romanesque |
| Historic Function: | Religious/Place of worship |
| Current Function: | Religious facility, other |
| Architect or source of design: | Warren H. Hayes, Harry Wild Jones |
| Material of Exterior Wall Covering: | Sandstone |
| First Owner: | Fowler Methodist Church |
| National Register of Historic Places Information | |
| Reference Number: | 76001062 |
| Reference URL: | [Reference] |
| Certification date: | January 30, 1976 |
History
Our historic Scottish Rite Masonic Center was built in several phases over many years, first as a church and then as the home for the Minneapolis Scottish Rite. Construction of the original Fowler Methodist Church was initiated on this site in Minneapolis in 1890. As the church expanded in the mid 1890s additional space was needed to serve the growing congregation. Construction of the main auditorium was begun in 1895 and completed by 1906. The Minneapolis Scottish Rite purchased the building when the Fowler Church merged with the Hennepin United Methodist Church. The Scottish Rite took possession of the building and established its new home here on January 1, 1915. The previous home for the Scottish Rite in Minneapolis was the Masonic building that is still located at 6th and Hennepin in Downtown Minneapolis. That building is now the home of the Hennepin Center for the Arts.
The impressive Romanesque Revival architecture of our Scottish Rite Masonic Center represents the only combined work of 2 major Minnesota architects, Warren H. Hayes (the original sanctuary - now our Red Room) and Harry Wild Jones (the new sanctuary in 1906, now our main auditorium). Our building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
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Highlights of the interior of the building:
The Tomhave Library
John Benjamin Tomhave served as the head of Scottish Rite Masonry in Minnesota from June 1957 until his death in July 1971.
The library includes an impressive collection of historical books related to Masonry and the activities of Minnesota Masons.
The Red Room
The original sanctuary designed by Warren H. Hayes. The room is now used as a lodge room for various Masonic groups that meet in our building.
The Main Auditorium
Was completed by approximately 1906 and is used as a sanctuary by the growing Fowler Church until they sold the building to the Scottish Rite in 1915.
This grand space is now used for presentation of Masonic plays or degrees that form the teachings of Scottish Rite Freemasonry. The chandeliers were
acquired by the Scottish Rite from the Farmers and Mechanics Bank in downtown Minneapolis. Most of the stained glass windows are original to the church.
The stage loft has accomodations for 36 drops. All the drops have been removed and we are currently planning restoration of the drops and renovation of the
stage rigging infrastructure.
The Rose Window
Perhaps the most iconic element in our historic building is the Rose Window. While the window is rich with Masonic symbolism and images, it actually predates the Scottish Rite ownership of the building. The window was donated to the Fowler Church by Zion Commandery #2, Knights Templar of Minneapolis
and was originally called The Zion Commandery Memorial Window.
Main Level Lounge
This room is one of our more recent renovations and serves as a gathering space for members before, during and after various Masonic events.
Candidates/Education Room
This recently renovated room is used as a class room/education center for candidates of Scottish Rite Masonry. This section of the building was constructed in 1948 by the Scottish Rite. The prominent mural, titled Lux Tenebris (Light in Darkness) was created by Norwegian-American artist Theodore Sohner. The scenes in our mural represent the development of humanity's social, cultural, philosphical and theological growth throughout the ages, and epitomize lessons from several of our Scottish Rite degrees.
The Burns Room
The Burns room, named after our Masonic Brother and Poet Robert Burns, is located on the third floor. The Burns room is currently used as a lodge meeting room. This room was one of our initial renovation projects in the early 2000s. The paint colors and window treatments were selected to represent the suspected original colors used in the Fowler Church. The stained glass window enjoys a west exposure, making the room alive with color in the late afternoon sun.
Lower Level Lounge
The area serves as a gathering place before and after meetings and social events.
The Library and Museum
The Minneapolis Scottish Rite collection of Masonic texts, periodicals and artifacts is deemed one of the most extensive in the United States.
A very small sampling of our collection is displayed in the Tonhave Library. Our collection is not open to the public but is available to Masonic scholars
for research and study.
Lower Level Gathering Area (west end of the dining room)
This meeting/gathering are recently refurbished but was once part of the larger main dining room. It now serves as a small, intimate dining room or meeting area. Also of note in this area is the impressive 45 star United States flag.
33rd Conference Degree Room
This room is where we honor those Masons of the Minneapolis Scottish Rite who have been honored by receiving the 33rd degree from the Supreme Council in Washington, D.C.
The pictures span only a short history of our time in this building - the pictures on the left side of the west wall begin in 1947 and end with 2017
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