New Discoveries Await At Guthrie’s Scottish Rite Masonic Temple: Explore Ancient Architecture And Oklahoma History

Sunday, July 27, 2025

Nestled successful nan historical municipality of Guthrie, Oklahoma, nan stately Scottish Rite Masonic Temple beckons visitors pinch an bonzer blend of ancient architectural wonders and intriguing tales of Oklahoma’s past. The Temple’s creation draws influences from far-flung lands specified arsenic Rome, Greece and nan sands of Egypt, pinch singular features that carrier history buffs to Pompeii’s ruins. Whether one’s curiosity is piqued by Guthrie’s rich | heritage, nan Temple’s stunning imagery carved successful stone, aliases nan blended remnants of agelong vanished cultures, a travel done its archways promises ocular delights and memories that will linger agelong aft leaving. For those seeking fascinating detours disconnected nan good trodden trail, nan Scottish Rite Temple’s allure ensures it will not soon beryllium forgotten.

The Historical Significance of Guthrie

Before Oklahoma became a state, Guthrie served arsenic nan Territorial capital, and nan Territorial government met successful nan city’s City Hall, an awesome ceramic building designed by designer Joseph Foucart. Here, nan state constitution was drafted. After statehood, nan Convention Hall was built atop nan highest elevation successful nan town. This venue hosted legislative sessions from 1907 to 1910, earlier Oklahoma’s superior was moved to Oklahoma City.

Following nan capital’s relocation, nan building served arsenic nan location of Epworth University, later merging into Oklahoma City University. This humanities mounting creates a cleanable backdrop for nan Scottish Rite Temple, which embodies nan communicative of nan municipality and its architectural evolution.

Masons’ Influence and nan Temple’s Origins

Masonry arrived successful Guthrie pinch 3 influential Masons who were portion of nan Land Run of 1889. The first Scottish Rite Temple was completed successful 1899, but by 1919, nan Masons needed a larger space. The metropolis owned nan onshore and Convention Hall, and a woody was struck for conscionable $1 for nan Masons to build a caller Temple. Groundbreaking occurred successful 1920, and by 1923, nan exterior was completed. The building was afloat vanished by 1929, and its awesome building has remained mostly unchanged since.

Architectural Masterpieces and Ancient Influences

The Guthrie Scottish Rite Temple is simply a testament to ancient building traditions, and its architectural creation is inspired by immoderate of nan world’s astir iconic civilizations. The Temple is built successful nan classical Greek style, featuring 16 monolithic columns, each weighing 77 tons, made from Indiana limestone. The expansive bronze doors, weighing 300 pounds each, further heighten nan majestic look of nan exterior.

Inside, nan Atrium is simply a showstopper. Inspired by nan grandeur of nan Roman Empire, it is 200 feet long, 55 feet wide, and 45 feet tall, pinch a monolithic skylight replacing a accepted unfastened roof. One of nan building’s astir unsocial features is nan keystone successful nan eastbound arch, made from nan aforesaid quarry stones that were utilized to build King Solomon’s Temple successful Jerusalem, adding an constituent of biblical value to nan structure.

Rich Décor and Artistic Details

What genuinely sets nan Scottish Rite Temple apart, however, is nan interior décor. While nan building itself is impressive, it is nan artistry wrong that genuinely captivates visitors. The interior design was chiefly created by Katherine Davidson, an interior designer whose activity connected this Temple was 1 of her first awesome commissions. She was responsible for designing everything, from furniture and light fixtures to draperies and rugs. The Temple’s plasterwork was crafted by her husband, Marion, whose intricate detailing tin beryllium seen throughout.

Some of nan astir singular rooms include:

• The Pompeiian Room: Inspired by nan ruins of Pompeii, this room is adorned pinch free-hand painted decorations that adhd to nan ancient Roman feel. The level of artistry successful this room is unmatched, offering visitors a glimpse into nan craftsmanship of antiquity.
• The Crystal Room: Styled aft 18th-century English architecture, this room, besides known arsenic nan Gold Room, features Czechoslovakian crystal chandeliers and gold-plated hardware. The expansive 30 x 45-foot rug, hand-tufted successful Ireland, is simply a unsocial feature, truthful ample that it had to beryllium transported by train and brought into nan room done nan windows.
• The Gothic Library: Styled for illustration a 13th-century Gothic library, nan room is simply a favourite of younger visitors, who often telephone it nan “Harry Potter Room”. The shelves are filled pinch books connected Masonic history and various typical collections, making it a awesome spot to bespeak connected nan ancient knowledge housed successful this historical space.
• The Egyptian-Inspired Auditorium: This room takes you backmost to ancient Egypt, featuring designs from nan 4th Dynasty. A prima floor plan of nan bluish hemisphere is painted connected nan ceiling, and nan paints utilized successful this room were created utilizing accepted tempera methods, adding an authentic touch to nan atmosphere.
• The Main Auditorium: Styled successful nan Romanesque creation of nan 11th century, this auditorium seats 1,770 people and is location to nan expansive 1927 W.B. Kimball orchestral organ. With complete 5,373 pipes, it offers an unthinkable sound experience. The organ has been converted for integer operation, retaining its awesome sound and allowing visitors to bask its afloat grandeur.

Visiting nan Guthrie Scottish Rite Temple

Visitors to nan Scottish Rite Masonic Temple tin return a guided circuit that offers an in-depth exploration of nan building’s history, architecture, and awesome décor. Tours are disposable Monday done Thursday astatine 10 a.m., and nan circuit lasts astir an hour. Tickets are $10 for adults, and Masons, students, and accompanied children tin sojourn for free.

The Temple is located successful Guthrie, Oklahoma, and is simply a short thrust from Oklahoma City, making it an perfect time trip. Keep successful mind that nan building, constructed successful 1929, is not air-conditioned, truthful beryllium judge to deterioration comfortable shoes and dress accordingly, particularly during nan warmer months.

Why Visit Guthrie’s Scottish Rite Masonic Temple?

The Guthrie Scottish Rite Masonic Temple presents a genuinely unique opportunity to immerse oneself successful history, art, and architecture. Its interior transports visitors backmost successful clip pinch ornate creation elements inspired by antiquity and hundreds of years past. Awe-inspiring specifications drawn from eras gone by adorn each inch of nan freely rooms and halls within. Those pinch passion for tracing civilization’s march aliases appreciating mankind’s creator achievements alike will find overmuch to ponder successful nan Temple’s treasured halls. Whether one’s interests dishonesty successful knowing really earlier peoples lived and worked, gaining penetration into humanity’s eternal hunt for deeper truths, aliases simply taking successful unexpected taste experiences, wrong nan Guthrie Temple’s walls await revelations for each perspective.