My Visit to the Grand Lodge of New York.

On November 17^th, 2007 I had the great pleasure of visiting the Grand Lodge of New York. Situated in two connecting 19 story buildings between 23^rd and 24^th Streets West, the Masonic Hall has abundant commercial space, as well as a fraternal meeting space that holds 11 lodge rooms, a three story Grand Lodge room, the executive offices, and the Livingston Masonic Library. Constructed in 1910 (and a second building added in 1912); the New York Masonic Hall is the home for over 70 New York Masonic lodges, and concordant bodies.

In 1986 the Trustees of the Masonic Hall and Home finalized plans to restore the magnificent building. Restoration was headed by Felix Olimpio Chavez, and his Peruvian team of nearly 100 talented artists. The team lived in the commercial building during the restoration period.

When you step into the three story, 1200 person capacity, Grand Lodge room, you are immediately stunned by the marvelous Tiffany and Co. glass ceiling, and G in the north. Nearly 54000 sheets of gold leaf brighten the room, making it one of the most awe-inspiring lodge rooms I have had the opportunity to see in my young Masonic life. Of particular note, the ceiling was so amazing that John Jacob Astor, who at the time was working on building the Titanic, was so impressed that he asked designers to copy the grand lodges ceiling for the fated vessel’s grand ballroom. So now, there are two identical ceilings. One in Manhattan, and one at the bottom of the Atlantic…

My favorite room, the Renaissance Room, located on the sixth floor has a beautiful depiction of the four cardinal virtues of Masonry, as well as the seven muses of arts and sciences all done in a romantic-baroque style. In the north is a second Tiffany and Co. glass G. Of particular interest is the marble alter, where stricken with polio, Franklin D. Roosevelt took his Masonic oath, becoming a Master Mason. A crack in the marble step still exists where Roosevelt slipped and fell, causing his heavy leg braces to crack the marble.

Not currently housed at the Masonic Hall, but of particular interest, is the Washington Bible. The bible, which belongs to St. John’s Lodge no. 1, is the very same bible in which Washington took his oath of office becoming the first President of the United States. The bible, which is always escorted by no less than three brother masons is also used for presidential inaugurations (most recently George HW Bush in 1989) and confirming the degree of Master Mason on newly raised members of St. John’s Lodge no. 1.

I have to say, that visits such as this really make you feel like you are part of something so vital, and so great, it really brings context into our fraternity. On Wednesday, the 21^st, I will sit in St. John’s Lodge no. 1. I am looking forward to the honor, as it is the State’s oldest lodge. St. John’s is so old, that it doesn’t operate by charter to the Grand Lodge, but by a warrant from England!

Yours Fraternally—Bro. Timothy Grisham