There have been very few masonic lodges that actually made me go "ok, that's very nice". Just about all of the lodges I've been in have been, to put it mildly, utilitarian. Bare walls, boring colors, old carpets, uninspired lighting, amateurish artwork, etc. It would be nice if lodges that actually have the financial wherewithal to update and beautify their lodge rooms to do so.
First thing, get rid of those damn old 1930s era theater seats so many lodges seem to outfit themselves with.
My blue lodge in Albuquerque, Temple Lodge #6 was built in around the 60s. The old lodge downtown had burned down. Thankfully this lodge was well funded and able to buy land and build a new temple. The members at the time had the foresight to build not just a lodge for their needs, but for future generations. Of course, having the finances helped pull that off. When you walk in the lodge room, you feel that esoteric pull on your heart. The star light heavens, the floor, all of it combines for a wonderful meeting space. They have a library as described by MW. In addition, they had a pool hall and several small office spaces for members to practice with new brothers.
I have yet to see anything to match that in WA yet, but I have hope.
Likewise, the Valley of Santa Fe Scottish Rite Temple is a thing of true beauty. The lodge room is magnificent. You can feel the history.
When I am in such a space, the boring parts of masonry, the mundane, slide away, and the light is easier to find.
Not all lodges have 100 or 200 year old buildings that have been as well cared for as we would like.
But it's our duty to our forefathers to improve upon what they left us, and leave future generations able to say they are proud of the lodge we leave them.
You touch upon our duty to those who come after us, and I certainly feel that as well.
In many cases those that came before left us assets that strengthen Masonry. Perhaps a wonderful building, perhaps investments, whatever it might be.
We in turn, I think, have a responsibility to protect and preserve those things that we have been given so that it continues to serve the Craft in the generations that will come after us.
None of this is to say that we shouldn't use the assets we have been given, financial or otherwise, but when we do use them we have a responsibility to use them wisely, and plan so that they can be transmitted into the future.
nice things are nice. I'd rather stay in a nice hotel than a poor one.
But you don't ever want to be in a situation where it has to be nice for you to get the work done. We want a fraternity that can meet in a room above a tavern and scratch out some chalk on the floor, mopping up before we leave. We don't have to be so rustic, my point is just that none of the work requires splendor
God doesn't need silver candlesticks but the church might, if you catch what I'm saying.
I agree that we don't need splendor. One of my favorite stories (not my own, I stole it from a member of my Lodge) is that in order to have a truly wonderful Masonic experience all that is needed is three committed Masons, sitting in a garage, talking about Masonry. And I think that is true.
Splendor can however communicate about value, and if we are able to combine splendor with the pride and dedication of those 'three guys in the garage' then we have something unique and wonderful indeed. Splendor without those 'guys' is however without value.
But, I think that as long as we own purpose built buildings, we must maintain them well, lest we communicate that we have no pride in our Ancient Craft.
There have been very few masonic lodges that actually made me go "ok, that's very nice". Just about all of the lodges I've been in have been, to put it mildly, utilitarian. Bare walls, boring colors, old carpets, uninspired lighting, amateurish artwork, etc. It would be nice if lodges that actually have the financial wherewithal to update and beautify their lodge rooms to do so.
First thing, get rid of those damn old 1930s era theater seats so many lodges seem to outfit themselves with.
I'm with you on that theater seating Brother! Those things are awful!
My blue lodge in Albuquerque, Temple Lodge #6 was built in around the 60s. The old lodge downtown had burned down. Thankfully this lodge was well funded and able to buy land and build a new temple. The members at the time had the foresight to build not just a lodge for their needs, but for future generations. Of course, having the finances helped pull that off. When you walk in the lodge room, you feel that esoteric pull on your heart. The star light heavens, the floor, all of it combines for a wonderful meeting space. They have a library as described by MW. In addition, they had a pool hall and several small office spaces for members to practice with new brothers.
I have yet to see anything to match that in WA yet, but I have hope.
Likewise, the Valley of Santa Fe Scottish Rite Temple is a thing of true beauty. The lodge room is magnificent. You can feel the history.
When I am in such a space, the boring parts of masonry, the mundane, slide away, and the light is easier to find.
Not all lodges have 100 or 200 year old buildings that have been as well cared for as we would like.
But it's our duty to our forefathers to improve upon what they left us, and leave future generations able to say they are proud of the lodge we leave them.
You touch upon our duty to those who come after us, and I certainly feel that as well.
In many cases those that came before left us assets that strengthen Masonry. Perhaps a wonderful building, perhaps investments, whatever it might be.
We in turn, I think, have a responsibility to protect and preserve those things that we have been given so that it continues to serve the Craft in the generations that will come after us.
None of this is to say that we shouldn't use the assets we have been given, financial or otherwise, but when we do use them we have a responsibility to use them wisely, and plan so that they can be transmitted into the future.
nice things are nice. I'd rather stay in a nice hotel than a poor one.
But you don't ever want to be in a situation where it has to be nice for you to get the work done. We want a fraternity that can meet in a room above a tavern and scratch out some chalk on the floor, mopping up before we leave. We don't have to be so rustic, my point is just that none of the work requires splendor
God doesn't need silver candlesticks but the church might, if you catch what I'm saying.
I agree that we don't need splendor. One of my favorite stories (not my own, I stole it from a member of my Lodge) is that in order to have a truly wonderful Masonic experience all that is needed is three committed Masons, sitting in a garage, talking about Masonry. And I think that is true.
Splendor can however communicate about value, and if we are able to combine splendor with the pride and dedication of those 'three guys in the garage' then we have something unique and wonderful indeed. Splendor without those 'guys' is however without value.
But, I think that as long as we own purpose built buildings, we must maintain them well, lest we communicate that we have no pride in our Ancient Craft.