The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-10-11
A. G. A. RITE SANCTUARY.
The Finest Scottish Rite Temple on
Any Continent.
Description of the Several Divisions of the
Building-A Miniature Theater-Dedi-
cation of the New Structure.


is rapidly approaching completion, and by the
first of next month the rooms of the rite, which
occupy all of the building above the ground
floor, which has been rented for stores and bust
ness offices, will be ready for the work of the
order The front of the building is now painted
a Orick.red, relieved by black bands between the
stories AT the top of the building, fronting on
Pennsylvania street, in large gilt letters, may
be read ga. & A. Scottish Rite" with the en-
hlematlc doube-headed eagle in black and gold.
The eagle covers a space nearly six feet square.
The front shows but five rows of windows, while
on its east line the buildingis six stories high.
The stairways leading up into the building are
wide and easy of ascent. On the second floor on
the west side are the secretary's room, two par
lors and the library room. These four rooms are
each twenty five feet square and en- suite OF
the library, donated by Mr.. william Hacker, 1t
may be said that in intrinsic value a Masonic
library II stands only second in the United
States. These rooms are all carpeted with vel
vet The furniture of the secretary's room and
the library is walnut and leather, and of the two
parlors, walnut and plush. On the east side is
the banquet room, 35x59 feet, which, by means
of folding doors, can be thrown open, and with
the other rooms on the floor, accommodate a
great throng of people. Communicating with
ranged kitchen and pantry.
PERFECTION DEGREE ROOMS.
On the third floor, which will be devoted to
work in the degrees leading and including the
fourteenth Perfection degree, are the CandI-
dates room and the Perfection room. The first
| is 19x40 feet, the furniture being walnut
and plush; the other is 25x38 feet
in its auditorium with a stage twenty
! feet deep. Adjoining this are scene-rOoms, etc.
On this floor, the others, there all con-
veniences, including numerous and easy exits to
the floor below.
The fourth and fifth stories, in which will be
| conducted the work OF comforting the higher de-
grees. must be considered as forming one story
| On the west side is the grand auditorium ROOM
| forty by eighty feet including "A stage thirty
this hoOr is twenty-five by fifty feet and twenty
| seven feet high, and the candidates room is
neteen by forty feet. Around three SIDES of
the theater flor SO IL must be called are broad
and capacious galleries that will seat over $50
persons, and the sunlight that depends from the
center of the ceiling diffuses a beautiful and
| brilliant light over The audience-rOOm. THIS
room and the ceiling and galleries have been
| exqusitely frescoed by Mr.. II. Ranje, ana are
admired by all who have seen the Ornamental
ton.
FOR SCENIC EFFECTS
The scene painting is now being done by
| Henry G. Tyron, of Chicago the scenic artist
member of this cOns:story, who has come here
| from Salt Lake City, where he has been painting
a Mormon theater. The prOscenium opening is
| twenty-five by thirty feet, and the height from
the stage to the rigging loft forty-fve feet great
enough to enable drops twenty-five feet high to
be carried up without tripping. Most Of the
| scenes Will be made up each of three-cut drops
gauzed in addition to wings and borders. The
entire length of scenery, with borders, will be
| thirty feet, and forty feet width. Every
scene will be arranged spectacularly. The sub
/ .
| full, and throughout call for purely art WORK,
none of the subjects in any scene being mechan-
ical in any sense. All the effects, grand and Iu-
Jrcate, known to the modern stage can be re-
produced here, @ the entire outfit equals the re-
| quirements OF spectacular drama
| The stage is abundant;y lighted with border
| fOotlights, ground lights and bunch lights. OF
| the decorations, it may be said that the color
| tones are harmonious rich and delicately beau
tifnl 1t may be said that this differs from q fine
| theater only in having the stage elevated but
| two feet above the floor, but as there is or
chestra before the fOOtlights to shut off the
view. the necessity for greater elevation is not
apparent. There are two tireeseapes from the
main room to the adjoining building, and five
| stairways leading to the floor below. Mr. TryOh
will be employed at scene work for nearly two
| months. The stage carpenteTing is in the hands
| of John Saunders. The new organ, which will
soon be finished, will cost $4,000. 1t Is being
| built by Mr.. Sanburn, of this city, who has had
| thirty years experience organ builder. On
| this floor, and opening upon the stage, is large
| clothing and property room.
AT THE TOP.
The sixth floor room is twenty-four feet high
and will be worked up for scenic effects of vari
GUS kinds. The roof commands the best view of
| Indianapolis to be obtained in the city. No won
der on that score, as the east and south walls of
the building are LOG feet high. Over $4,000
have been invested in this temple which is the
most complete in all its appointments Of any
Scottish rite sanctuary in the United States or
in the world. Under the careful eye of r. z.
Daggett, the architect, himself a member of the
rite, the building has been adjusted to meet all
the requirements Of the various degrees that
will he conferred in it, and Is, in addition to its
convenience, strong and substantial house from
foundation TO turret
DEDICATION OF THE NEW TEMPLE.
The annual convocation of the Indiana Con-
sstory of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish
Rite will be held on Nov. 20, q and %. instead
of in March, as heretofore. The convocation is
called thus early it order to have the dedication
of the new temple take place at the same time
There are now over 600 members in this con-
sistory, and at the recent meeting of the Su.
preme Council of the $50, held in Cincinnati 1t
was shown to be the most harmonious ami pros
porous Scottish rite body in the United States,
with reputation unexcelled for the quai ity of
| its work. 1t is agreed thar a number of
the degrees are conferred batter here than
| anywhere either side of the Atlantic
The dedicatory services will be largely attended.
Henry L. Palmer, $50 NJ. p. Sovereign Grand
OOHludnutf VI JH6 HOrbHOTu MdSOulc JurlS-
dlcJon and other members of the Supreme
Council will be here, as we'll as representatives,
of New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Provi-
dence consistOries, and large delegations from
the consistories of the neighborug cities of Gin
| cinnatI, Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit, Cleveland
and other points. The members of the A. ana A
rite working in the valley of Indianapolis will
| then have the pleasure of showing their dis
| tinguished brethren from abroad the best
| equipped temple in the world and the smOothest
and best Scottish rite work.
--<1n---