House of Temple - the headquarters of the Supreme Council, 33°, Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction in USA. Opened on October 1915, the House of the Temple was designed by famous architect John Russel Pope who also created notable Washington buildings, including the National Gallery of Art and the Jefferson Memorial. The House of the Temple was modeled after the Mausoleum of Maussollos, one of the "Seven Wonders of the Ancient World."
The Temple has 33 columns, each 33 feet high, representing the 33 levels of Scottish Rites Freemasonry. In the front of the building there are two impressive limestone sphinxes sculptured by famed sculptor Adolph A. Weinman. Each of the Sphinxes ("Wisdom" and "Power")
weigh 17 tons.
The Temple, which includes a library, archives, and museums, is open to visitors for guided tours.
The Temple, which includes a library, archives, and museums, is open to visitors for guided tours.
Atrium of the House of the Temple
The Egyptian statues flanking the Grand Staircase in the Atrium also
were carved by Adolph A.Weinman on-site out of black marble from the shores of
Lake Champlain.
The large marble table is a centerpiece of the Atrium. It is made of Pavonazzo marble from Italy inspired by a table found in the ruins of a Pompeian home.
On the corners of the table there are four two-headed eagles, the main symbol of Scottish Rite Masonry. On the basis of the table, there are words "Salve Frater", engraved in front of the entrance, meaning "Welcome Brother".
The Temple Room
The focal point of the Temple Room is a granite alter gilded with gold. A passage in golden letters reads God said "Let There be Light and there was light."
Five holy books are presented on the alter representing five major world religions: Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism.
The Executive Room
The George Washington Memorial banquet Hall is dedicated to the first president of United States. George Washington was also a Mason.
The hall is used to organize banquets, receptions, special events and lectures.
In this room there are two paintings of George Washington:
George Washington's Inauguration as the 1st President of United States, April 30, 1789.
Washington swore on the Bible delivered by St. John's Lodge No.1, when it was noticed
that there is no Bible.
The same Bible has been used during the four presidential inaugurations since Washington: Warren G. Harding, Dwight D. Eisenhower, James Earl Carter and George H.W.Bush Sr.
The same Bible has been used during the four presidential inaugurations since Washington: Warren G. Harding, Dwight D. Eisenhower, James Earl Carter and George H.W.Bush Sr.
George Washington Laying the Cornerstone of the United States of Capital, September 18, 1793
The Hall of Scottish Rite Regalia it is an artistic collection showing various elements (apron, cap, cordon, baldric, jewel, ring, gloves...) of each of Scottish Rite Degrees, from 4th through 33rd.
The honors of the Knight Commander Court of Honor and the Grand Cross
there are also on this display.
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| (L)The Fifteenth Degree - Knight of the East of the Sword or the Eagle. Rebuild the Masonic Temple of liberty, equality, and fraternity. (R)The Sixteenth Degree - Prince of Jerusalem. Keep faith in the justice and beneficence of God. |
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| (L)The Thirty-second Degree - Master of the Royal Secret. Perform your duties to God, country, family, Freemasonry. (R)The Thirty-first Degree - Inspector Inquisitor. Judge yourself as you would judge others. |
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| (L)The Thirty-third Degree - Inspector General Honorary. Endeavor to achieve the Fraternity’s Ideal of wisdom in service to God and your fellowman. (R)Grand Cross Court of Honor - The Scottish Rite’s Highest Recognition. Remain steadfast in outstanding service to humanity and Masonry. |
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The Temple Hall of Honor was established to pay tribute to thirty-three outstanding Scottish Rite Masons. Powerful and well-known men have been members,
including several
Presidents and astronauts.
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| Arnold D.Palmer 33° - American Sports Legend, World Golf Hall of Fame Honoree. Norman Vincent Peale 33°, G∴ C∴ - Clergyman and Humanitarian, Author, Publisher, Broadcaster. |
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| Douglas MacArthur 33° - General of the Army, accepted surrender of Japan September 2, 1945. John H. Glenn 33° - First US Astronaut to Orbit the Earth in 1962. |
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The library - the Supreme Council 33° was the
first institution to offer a public library in the District of Columbia. The library's collection contains around 250,000 volumes focusing on Freemasonry and fraternal organizations - including history,
philosophy, symbolism, poetry, lodge proceedings, and periodicals.
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No women were admitted to Freemasonry, so around 1850
the Order of the Eastern Star was created for Freemasons
and their female relatives. This Order is considered to be a "women's Masonic organization". This world headquarters for General Grand Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star is located at beautiful building in the DuPont Circle Historic District in Washington DC, and is known as the International Temple.
The International Temple is only open to members of the Order of the Eastern Star and other affiliated Masonic groups.
Almas Temple - Masonic building which is a headquarters of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shine. The Shrine or Shrine Masons is an international fraternity founded in New York City in 1872. This building was constructed in 1929 in the Moorish architectural style with beautiful multicolored terracotta facade. Open to the members only.
"Freemasonry is a beautiful system of morality, veiled in allegory, and illustrated by symbols...
We're not a charity or a religion. We do not exist to support others and present no way of salvation."
from an article by Ronald C.Radatz, PM "Is Freemasonry a Secret Society?"
the Journal Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction, USA - March/April 2018