Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-07-25
MASONS BREAK
TEMPLE GROUND
Structure to Be Erected in
RosevilIe Means Outlay
of 500, 900.

With simple but impressive cere
monies and attended by prominen'
masons from various parts of thu
State. ground for the new Rosevill'
Masonic temple, at 65-67 Rosevillt
avenue was broken today. Contract:
for the structure, which will cost ap-
proximately $50, 900, were signed Just
before the first sod was turned. This
was followed by addresses of a con-
gratulatory nature by several officers
of the lodge.
With the members of the lodge
grouped In the background in the
shape of a crescent President Lewis
Vanderbilt signed the contracts for
construction with Frederick Kilgus,
the contractor, attested by Alfred c.
Heath. secretary. This took place on
fhe spot where the first sod after
ward was turned by Mr.. Vanderbilt.
The spade used in the ceremonies was
used first in turning the first sod for
the State Normal School at Montclair.
$4,000 Still Is Needed.
Those who took part in the exer-
cises assembled at the present head
quarters of the lodge, Roseville ave-
nue. and Orange street, at 8 o'clock
and marched to the site of the new
building. a half block away. George
Mclaughlin, master of the lodge,
opened the ceremonies with a short
address. in which he congratulated
the members for their part in max
ing Masonic history.
President Vanderbilt spoke briefly
49, G-a.aAa Co.. 4hR na1r -trT1ofNtrA
and declared that So. 900 still is
needed to complete the building.
After invocation by Elwood S. Nc
Nabb. district deputy. who acted in
the absence of Rev. Dorr F. Diefen-
dorf, pastor of the Roseville NJ. E.
Church. and chaplain of the lodge,
the first pick was sunk into the
ground by Secretary Heath and the
first spade turned by President VAN
derbilt.
Architecture Is Egyptian.
An Egyptian style of architecture
has been followed by the architect in
of the proposed temple. The building
will be of brick. with limestone trim
mings, and the Masonic emblems will
worked in the reliefs and panels
of the exterior. The cornices arctic
be finished in colors usual in Egyp-
tian architecture. purple, red and
blue. Each Masonic column, on
either side of the front portals, will
be crowned with a sphere and will
be Illuminated at night. The build
ing has been so designed that it will
be a true Masonic building In its
style and appointments.
The architect has so designed the
that it may be used at one
time by three separate bodies, each
in its own room. The basement will
be fitted with billiard and card rooms
and bowling alleys. and also a
spacious kitchen equipped for quick
The auditorium will have a
stage large enough for dramatic pro-
auctions, and will have retiring rooms
either side.
Will Be Ready January 1.
In designing the lodge room the |
Egyptian style also has been carried
out, and 1t will be decorated with
Egyptian ceiling and columns. The
spaces between the columns are to
oC lliiCo WIN PidotciSd Aclltt pdIlclS |
colors illustrating scenery of Egypt |
and Syria.
The cost of the structure. not in
the furnishings or the ground,
will be $4,000. It is planned to have
It ready for occupancy on January 1. !
1913. The preliminary work of ex-
cavation will be started within a
days.
The building is being erected by a
corporation, the officers of which are:
Vanderbilt, president; Freder-
lex Kilgus. vice-president; Samuel
treasurer; Alfred c. Heath, !
secretary; Henry s.. Jefferis, Joseph |
e. Small and Emil Vollweiler, direct
ors. The Roseville lodge was con-
stituted in 1875, with a charter mem
bership of twenty-three.