Each of the Holding Bodies named above would have two Trustees representing them on the Board.
A building fund drive was launched and monies were raised for this purpose. The architectural firm of Holabird & Roche was selected to draw the plans for the new temple. On September 26, 1927, the general contract was let to the J. L. Simmons Company and construction proceeded.
The corner of William and Church Streets was selected as the site. To secure the land, a number of individual lots had to be acquired from their owners. County records indicate that at least 11 transactions were required to secure the parcel.
The building was designed in stunning Art Deco style and design inovations were far ahead of the times. The plans called for a solidly built structure of concrete and steel, encased in an Indiana Limestone facade. The massive ventilation system could change the air every seven minutes.
On March 28, 1928, Most Worshipful Grand Master Louis L. Emmerson and his Grand Officers of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, performed the Corner Stone laying ceremony. The ceremony involved thousands of Masons and tens of thousands of onlookers. A long parade made its way through the downtown streets and ended at the Northeast
Corner of the building. Thanks to the new art of movie making, the parade and festivities were preserved on 16mm film. We have had this original transferred to video tape. It can be viewed at the Temple.
Upon completion, the Temple was turned over to the Holding Bodies listed above. On January 18, 1929, Great Light Lodge #1064 conferred the Third Degree on Bro. Harry A. Swim. As this was the first work in the new Temple, all of the bodies participated. The degree was held in the Auditorium.
The Temple soon became the show place of Decatur. Its public accomodations were unsurpassed. The Ballroom ( or large dinning room) could seat 700 diners. The Auditorium could seat 1200. Many national and international celebrities were seen and heard in the Auditorium as part of The Community Lecture Series and the Community Concert Association. Symphony orchestras which played in the Auditorium included those of St. Louis, Dallas, Denver and Minneapolis. The annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner, the Kiwanis Pancake Day, the Macon County Historical Society's Antique Show, church services and revivals, political rallies, weddings and receptions, high school proms - all have found the Temple a popular place. It has truly been Decatur's civic center for many years!
The Temple had its beginnings in the period of unprecedented growth known as the "roaring twenties". Masonic growth had reached the point that Great Light Lodge #1064 was chartered to accomodate the growing membership of the Fraternity. The Temple was completed just prior to the blackest of economic times. In the course of human events came the great depression. No institution was spared its effects.
The Temple construction had been planned with great care, taking into account the economy and Masonic membership trends. The depression changed everything. Outside income and membership both suffered. In 1931, the value of the Temple property had a value of $832,375.89, withtotal liabilities of $393,582.19, for a respectable net worth of $438,793.70. With declining revenues, this debt became a burden. It was necessary to liquidate a portion of the mortgage. A group of dedicated Masons and friends organized a plan to save the Temple and succeded in surviving this black period. We still have a core of dedicated Masons striving to preserve this historic Temple for the future. The Holding Bodies now consist of Ionic Lodge #312, Stephen Decatur Lodge #979, Macon Chapter #21, Decatur Council #16 and Beaumanoir Commandery #9.
For more information on Temple History or Masonry, call the Temple office at (217)-422-1217 or Email us at THE DECATUR MASONIC TEMPLE.
For more information about having the Temple host your party, meeting, civic event or dinner, CLICK HERE.