An Inside Look at the Masonic Temple
[nggallery id=”23539″ template=galleryview] Jacob Blickenstaff, a blogging music photographer, sent us these images of the Masonic Temple, that beautiful and mysterious building that happens to be located across the street from the Brooklyn Flea. Like so many once grand religious institutions, this one seems to be in its faded glory days but gorgeous nontheless. You…
[nggallery id=”23539″ template=galleryview]
Jacob Blickenstaff, a blogging music photographer, sent us these images of the Masonic Temple, that beautiful and mysterious building that happens to be located across the street from the Brooklyn Flea. Like so many once grand religious institutions, this one seems to be in its faded glory days but gorgeous nontheless. You can see the full gallery here.
‘Religious’ is defined as being concerned with sacred matters and showing a belief in and reverence for Deity. Freemasons are bound by Holy oaths taken on the religious text of the Holy Bible, which is one of the 3 Great Lights of Masonry. Freemasonry came out of the church, with the operative craft guilds overseen by Nobility, Episcopate authority and Barons. It was initially a Trinitarian CHRISTian Order, and still is in numerous countries around the world. The higher degrees beyond the symbolic craft lodge are entirely religious and Christian, though esoteric in content. As a MASON progresses up the ladder, he is exposed to prayer based concepts such as theurgy. The Most Ancient and Honorable Society of Freemasons, is a Fraternal ORDER, not a club. I should know, I AM one.
But such great decor!
My father was a quaker and a mason. he would have been rather surprised to hear that a masonic temple was a religious institution. believe me, the masons do not talk about theology. it is mostly business and philanthropy.
basically they are the rotarians with more decor. so american, so good hearted. really.
As recently as the eighties this building’s entrance on the Clermont Ave. side boasted what appeared to be pieced Tiffany glass world globes as lights. They were very beautiful, although missing some glass and one was part collapsed. They painted those pedestals an awful beige (I think they’re bronze) at about the same time the globes vanished. I hope they’re somewhere safe, but it’s more likely they were stolen along with the neighborhood’s copper drainpipes, which were all swiped around that same same time.
WonTon- omigod omigod omigod. Thanks you! That place is without a doubt, fabulous! I sent the link to a couple of people. (and thanks for the comment on the fence thread too)
Masonic Temple Grand Lodge Online Guided Tour:
http://www.pagrandlodge.org/tour/entry.html
That I would love to see, WonTon. Are any pictures posted on the internet?
I think it is fair to say that the Masons are a fraternal secret society with quasi-religious trappings. (Religious groups as diverse as the Mormons and Haiti’s Voudou have borrowed symbolism and practices from the Masons.)
The Mason’s main temple in Philadelphia is right near Chinatown, and it is mind-blowing inside, very Raders of Lost Ark, like a Hollywood copy of an Egyptian tomb. You have to make an appointment to take a tour, though, you can’t just walk in.
There is also a Chinese Masonic temple in Boston. Some people think Mason thought is based on ancient Chinese philosophy!
we have one of these in bushwick too (mysteriously called the Ridgewood Masonic Temple). it has been used as a music venue as well. what’s next? Sonic Youth at the VFW hall?