Historic Lancaster Masonic Temple
The Lancaster Masonic Temple is a registered historic property located within the Lancaster Historic District, which in turn is on the National Register of Historic Places. The original building was constructed in 1838 as the Methodist Episcopal Church. By the turn of the century, Lancaster's Methodists had outgrown the building and constructed a new building at the top of Wheeling Hill. In 1907 the old property was sold to the Masonic lodge. After a disastrous fire in December of 1944 destroyed the original building, an exact replica was built. With a few minor differences - such as fireproof steel and poured concrete construction instead of wood - the present building was completed in 1953 as a faithful reproduction of the original both inside and outside. Learn more about our history here.
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Lancaster Masonic Lodge is planning many fellowship activities and events in 2024. Bourbon raffles, wine tastings, Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre, breakfast events, Haunted House, Community Carnival, and others.
Check back regularly to see what's coming up! |
On Thursday 30 May, the Lancaster-Fairfield Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the new permanent home for Rise Up Arts Alliance at the Masonic Temple. The Fairfield County Visitors & Convention Bureau and the Chamber of Commerce commended the partnership between Lancaster Masonic Lodge and Rise Up Arts Alliance for service to the community through the performing arts & education.
Lancaster's Freemasons have a long history of supporting the arts and education in Lancaster. Especially for children’s theatre – and particularly for Penguin Project – theatre teaches about interpersonal relationships, communication skills, leadership skills, music, respect for others, bettering ourselves, and community building. Representing RUAA were Judith Cosgray, Executive Director; Jessica Hill, Assistant Director, and Cindy Muller, Secretary. Representing Lancaster Lodge No. 57 F. & A.M. were Jonathan W. Allison, Worshipful Master, and Thurlow B. Weed IV, Acting Secretary. Exec. Dir. Judith Cosgray is the recipient of the Grand Master's Award for Community Service from Grand Master Jess Raines in 2019 for her work in children's community theatre. 
Lancaster Masonic Temple is the hosting venue for the first-ever
national mid-century barware show which will be taking place throughout the Downtown Historic District, with vendors from all over the United States coming here. Twenty-six vendors from around the United States will be set up downstairs in the Temple's historic Ballroom. This national event is rooted in Lancaster's rich history of glass-making, and the legacy of Fran Taylor's Gay Fad Studios, one of the nation's premier midcentury glassware makers from 1939 to 1962. Lancaster Masonic Lodge has historic connections to the famous Anchor Hocking glassmaker: founder Isaac J. Collins was one of our distinguished members, and many A-H employees have been members of our Lodge. For more information about this historic event, please click or tap on the poster above. For photos of past community events, please visit our Theatre & Concert Events page.
Lancaster Lodge #57
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Past Events
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Veterans Day Spaghetti Dinner
On Saturday 12 November, Lancaster Chapter No. 10 Blue Star Mothers and Boy Scout Troop #165 served their annual Veterans Cat Spaghetti Dinner. Musical entertainment was provided by Heritage Fifes & Drums.
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Lancaster Fire Department
Annual Retirement Dinner
For many years, Lancaster Masonic Lodge has hosted the fine hard-working men & women of the Lancaster Fire Department for their annual Retirement Dinner. It is a way for us to honour and recognise our wonderful city's first responders. The 28 September 2022 dinner had the banquet room filled with the mouth-watering aroma of slow-cooked prime rib!
[Photo credit: LFD Lt. Josh Harris]
[Photo credit: LFD Lt. Josh Harris]
Saturday Cinema - Destination Downtown Lancaster
On 14 May 2022 a rapidly-approaching severe storm system forced Destination Downtown Lancaster's Saturday Cinema to relocate from Bandstand Square downtown to the Ballroom of the Masonic Temple at the last minute. Within but ten minutes after the call was received, the Temple's doors were unlocked and the migration was on!
MEETING SCHEDULE
LANCASTER MASONIC TEMPLE
The Temple is the home of Lancaster Lodge #57 F&AM, the Lancaster York Rite bodies: Chapter #11, Council #3, and Commandery #2; and White Shrine.
STATED COMMUNICATIONS:
Lancaster #57 - First & Third Tuesday 7.30pm, dark July-August.
Chapter #11 - Fourth Tuesday 7.30pm
Council #3 - Fourth Tuesday 8.30pm
Dark July-August.
Commandery #2 - Second Tuesday 7.30 pm, dark July-August.
White Shrine - Third Monday 7.30pm
EDUCATION GROUPS
Rough Ashlars - every Saturday 8.00am
The Temple is the home of Lancaster Lodge #57 F&AM, the Lancaster York Rite bodies: Chapter #11, Council #3, and Commandery #2; and White Shrine.
STATED COMMUNICATIONS:
Lancaster #57 - First & Third Tuesday 7.30pm, dark July-August.
Chapter #11 - Fourth Tuesday 7.30pm
Council #3 - Fourth Tuesday 8.30pm
Dark July-August.
Commandery #2 - Second Tuesday 7.30 pm, dark July-August.
White Shrine - Third Monday 7.30pm
EDUCATION GROUPS
Rough Ashlars - every Saturday 8.00am
COVID-19 STATUS: Masks are no longer required under Ohio Department of Health & CDC guidance for those who have been fully vaccinated. Members and Visiting Brethren are still welcome to wear a mask of they wish.
Free disposable masks are available.
Free disposable masks are available.