Meet The Building

History:

The cornerstone of the Masonic Center of Grand Forks was commemorated on July 30th, 1913, with many prominent pioneers of this city in attendance and an audience of over 100. Grand Master Walter Williamson of the Grand Lodge of North Dakota was on hand as well as Judge Charles Cooley – Master of Acacia Lodge, Clarence Hale, Dr. Henry Wheeler, J. Nelson Kelley, F.D. Cameron, Frank Kent, Art Dinnie, Wilson Ray, George Duis, and many others present to perform the ceremony.

In January of 1912, the Grand Forks Masonic Temple, on the site of the present Stratford Block on DeMers Avenue, was destroyed by fire. However, the 1902 Masonic cornerstone remains in place today and the new replacement would be a more impressive structure located on Bruce Avenue, the site of a former livery stable. With insurance proceeds and donations from member organizations and bonds underwritten by members, $200,000 was raised. Joseph Bell DeRemer, the most noted architect in Grand Forks history and Past Master of Acacia Lodge, designed the Renaissance style structure. The contractor who built the building was the firm of Dinnie Brothers of Grand Forks. During this time, many buildings were being constructed in this portion of the city including the Grand Forks County Courthouse, whose cornerstone was placed on July 16th, 1913.

The completed Masonic Temple was dedicated June 15th, 1915, during the North Dakota Grand Lodge session with Grand Master F.H. Sprague presiding and Grand Secretary W.L. Stockwell giving an address during an evening dedication ceremony held under the auspices of Acacia Lodge No. 4. The month of June 1915 was filled with many meetings and celebrations for the occasion including the Grand Lodge of North Dakota, Scottish Rite Festival, Grand Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star Meetings, and the ceremonial session of Kem Shrine.

The building today contains many priceless works of art, original furnishings, and regalia. The theater stage scene collection contains hand painted scenes installed in 1919 and today is a rare and valuable collection that is still in use. The building has been open to many public concerts, plays, weddings, and other community functions throughout the past century. The Masonic Center building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981. The Grand Forks Masonic Preservation Association was formed in 2003 as the tax-deductible charity that raises funds for the restoration of the historic building.

The Masonic Center is the home of Acacia No. 4 & Malta No. 131 Masonic Lodges, Prince Hall Lodge, Kem Shriners, Scottish & York Rite Bodies, Order of Eastern Star, Demolay, and Rainbow.

The Auditorium:
With over XX backdrops to set the scene with, the auditorium is a perfect stage for a wedding, concert or company meeting.

The Reception Hall: