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Masonic lodge boasts history, but not accessibility
By Mary Ann Ford
mford@pantagraph.com
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NORMAL -- The Masonic symbol — an architect’s square and compass — is engraved in the stone above the entrance to the Normal lodge at 102 Broadway. But to get inside the building, members have to walk up several stairs.

The door knobs on the inside of the main doors to the building also have the Masonic symbol. They’re original to the 1925 building.

But then members face more steps before getting to the large lodge room where meetings are held twice a month.

“A third of our members are over 70,” said John Dorner, secretary of the lodge. “Imagine what those steps mean.”

The 286 lodge members plan to use the engraved stone and door knobs in their planned new building at One Normal Plaza, but the stairs will be left behind.

The stairs are one of the reasons the lodge sold the building to the Town of Normal for $500,000.

Now the fate of the building designed by famed architect A.L. Pillsbury remains in the hands of the town and likely One Main Development of Champaign. The development group plans to build its second mixed-use building as an “L,” with frontage on the future Constitution Boulevard and College Avenue.

Whether One Main incorporates the Masonic Lodge building at the corner of Broadway and College into the new building or whether it is razed remains to be seen.

“If they do decide to raze it, they’ll have a shock when the wrecking ball hit it,” said Jeff Fox, worshipful master of the lodge. “It’s a solid building.”

The lodge is the latest of two prominent uptown buildings to possibly face that wrecking ball.

The other is University Christian Church, 206 North St. That property was purchased by JSM Development Inc. of Champaign for another mixed-use building.

The church was built at the site in 1913. Members, then known as the First Christian Church, used proceeds from the sale of their former church — ironically on the site that is now the Masonic Lodge — to help pay for it.

The old church was eventually razed to make way for the Masonic Temple.

University Christian Church members had some of the same issues with their building as the Masons have with theirs — in accessibility for older members and ongoing maintenance issues.

Fox said the Masonic Lodge’s furnace and air conditioning units are more than 40 years old.

“We’re looking at capital improvements but we don’t have the resources,” he said.

Member’s dues are only $65 a year and $10 of that goes to the Grand Lodge. Dorner said it would be a hardship for older members to pay more.

When the pricetag for the lodge’s new building came in over estimate, it threatened to cancel the sale of the property to the town so the Normal City Council agreed to put an additional $244,000 in the new lodge building and retain some ownership.

Dorner said lodge rules forbid it from going into debt so the price of the new building had to be covered or members would have to stay in the current inaccessible building.

Town Planner Lauren Sunkel said the current lodge building doesn’t have a lot of beauty, except for the facade. There is decorative quoining on the edges and the entrance is marked with a lot of stone work.

Meanwhile, some of the original beauty of the University Christian Church has gone by the wayside since the cornerstone was laid 95 years ago, Sunkel said. It was remodeled in the 1950s and a fire destroyed the sanctuary in 1962. The building was completely remodeled and an addition built in 1963.

The Normal Historic Preservation Commission still denied JSM’s request to raze the building. The City Council had 30 days to nominate it as a historic landmark but didn’t. That means JSM now can get a demolition permit.

Meanwhile, a request to raze the Masonic Lodge has not yet gone before the commission.

Dorner said some members were initially resistant to the sale and a potential move, but most recognized something had to be done.

“The proximity to the university has been a blessing,” said Fox. The lodge has many members from Illinois State University.

“I was master in this room,” said Dorner, who previously was worshipful master of the lodge. “There are a lot of memories.”

But the move will allow the Masonic Lodge to be the only such fraternal organization in the Twin Cities to be on one level, Dorner said. And that means it will be accessible to everyone.

Construction is expected to start soon with the move taking place by the end of the year.

Take a look
Mason Secretary John Dorner, left, talks about the International Symbol for the Masonic Fraternity above the front door while Worshipful Master Jeff Fox, right, stands on Masonic Temple entryway steps in Normal Thursday afternoon (June 5, 2008)
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Reader comments on this story - 26 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

PHQ84 wrote on Jun 11, 2008 8:35 PM:

" To American: Masons have always played an important part in American History. It was members of the Boston Masonic Lodge who took charge of the Tea Party. When America was still the Colonies, Masons were often the "protectors", aka law. If there were intruders, they were there to protect the women, children, and elderly. They still protect them today thru the Shriner's Hospitals for Crippled & Burned Children, and they have an orphanage. They also have a nursing/retirement home that they support. Eastern Star has a nursing home in Macon.

As far as other historical members of this wonderful organization: Paul Revere and IL Senator Stephen Douglas. Betsy Ross was the wife of a mason.

As far as "secret" society - check out the U.S. Library of Congress. The Masonic ritual, and rituals from other organizations like Eastern Star, Job's Daughters, Rainbow Girls and Demolay are all there as well.

Good Luck, Masons in your 'new' home! You will enjoy having a 'home' that is handicapped-accessible. "

Gov't oppressed Mule wrote on Jun 11, 2008 11:34 AM:

" TO: SENIOR Lady

To add on for you: So was Ben Franklin, John Hancock, Andrew Jackson, Andrew Johnson, Davy Crockett, Daniel Boone, Jim Bowie, Shadrach Bond (first Gov of IL), Winston Churchill, George Clinton (3rd V-P of the US), Ty Cobb, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Fredrick the Great, Clark gable, J Edgar Hoover, etc... and this list goes on for AWHILE. But I was not aware of Mozart (and to think I am a huge Mozart fan.) Thank you for your insight and have a blessed day. "

senior lady wrote on Jun 11, 2008 11:21 AM:

" A bit of trivia: both George Washington and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart were masons. Mozart was especially proud of being a mason. "

Gov't oppressed Mule wrote on Jun 11, 2008 10:51 AM:

" TO: AMERICAN

Ok I lied one more thing

"Then, finally my brethren, let us imitate our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, in his virtuous conduct, his unfeigned piety to God, and his inflexible fidelity to his trust; that, like him, we may welcome the grim tyrant, Death, and receive him as a kind messenger sent by our Supreme Grand Master, to translate us from this imperfect to that all-perfect, glorious, and celestial Lodge above, where the Supreme Architect of the Universe presides."

The line and receive him as a kind messenger isn't refering to Hiram but to Death. That allow us to have honor and integrity even in the face of death and if we die in this pursuit to be Virtuous, maintain fidelity, and have piety then allow us to do so with honor. Sorry doesn't say anything against Christianity or religion. Kind of hard to be a religious organization when the first rule of masonry is that religion or politics are not to be discussed in lodge. "

Gov't oppressed Mule wrote on Jun 11, 2008 10:05 AM:

" TO: AMERICAN
Ok, one last thing. I will try to explain as much as possible without violating my oath. The website you directed me to, while partially accurate makes one GRAVE error. "Therefore, the first word spoken after Hiram is raised from the grave will be the substitute until the lost word can be recovered. At that point, King Solomon raises Hiram Abiff from "a dead level to a living perpendicular" This isn't talking about raising him FROM THE DEAD, but raising him FROM THE GRAVE. His DEAD body was PULLED out of the grave and brought "to a living perpendicular" meaning pulled straight up, no longer lying down. Sometimes we want to see something so bad that we'll see it in everything. The author of this sight has some obvious vendetta against masonry and is built on half truths to appear real. You seem like an intelligent person, so PLEASE don't swallow anything whole hearted and instead do your own research (the books listed here are great starts and actually discuss many myths) and then come to a conclusion. Thanks and have a great day. "

Gov't oppressed Mule wrote on Jun 11, 2008 9:54 AM:

" TO: AMERICAN

I just checked out the website you recommended. Thank you. I haven't had a laugh that good in awhile :-) I'm sorry I am a master Mason, A member of the Scottish Rite, and of the York Rite and I've NEVER heard anyone even hint that Hiram Abiff was raised from the dead. He was the first Master Mason who was murdered and is honored as such. I've read your recommendation, why not be fair and check out MWA's and mine? "

Gov't oppressed Mule wrote on Jun 11, 2008 9:50 AM:

" I love the fact that you tote half truths as the gospel. Do you even know who Hiram Abiff was? he isn't a savior and isn't thought of as one. He was the first Master Mason. That's all. As someone who has taken the oath it is the furthest thing from being anti-christian. In fact doesn't mention a specific God, instead refers to God as the "Supreme Architect of the Universe. (in order to include all religions-doesn't seem exclusive to me)" And as to favoring there own? Don't all fraternities do that? But if you are implying that I would only help someone if there are a Mason then I have to say you are SADLY mistaken. I am inclined to help all people, not just Mason's. So instead of feeling bitter about not being a mason or buying in wholeheartedly to the "conspiracy theories" actually open a book and do some research. MWA suggested a great book (I've read it front to back.) Also you might look into Freemason's for Dummies. Both are excellent books filled with truth and information not the half truths and lies of a conspiracy theory. "

American wrote on Jun 11, 2008 8:43 AM:

" To "Gov't Oppressed Mule":

In defining a secret society it has to meet three parts:

1. Exclusive (Masons do not allow athiest, women (though they could jump over to the Eastern Star), and many others)
2. It claims to own special secrets (Masons have the secret Handshakes, Oaths (anti-Christian by the way), and claims of special knowldedge - getting closer to the light but not there with every degree earned)
3. And it shows a strong inclination to favor its own. (This is the heart and soul of a mason.)

And yes, religous, after all it has its own savior - Hiram Abiff.

Once again word seach Ephesians 5:11, select the .org web site with a similar name. "

MWA wrote on Jun 10, 2008 3:12 PM:

" See also: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Freemasonry- A Myth-Busting Introduction to the History and Practice of Freemasonry by S. Brent Morris, Ph.D.,33 degree for all the info that you want to read about the fraternity. My father and grandfather were members and even though I am not, I have the utmost respect for the organization. "

Gov't oppressed Mule wrote on Jun 10, 2008 2:51 PM:

" TO: AMERICAN

I recommend you check the site askamason.us It may answer a lot of your questions. I now see where you got the 3/4 million and yes the gov't, in essence, paid 3/4 million for the purchase of a building. Which is fair market value (see article relating to emminent domain) I don't know where you get free gov't land as the area being used for the new lodge is purchased not donated. So if you have info that I don't I'm all ears to hear it. Thanks. "

Gov't oppressed Mule wrote on Jun 10, 2008 2:48 PM:

" TO: AMERICAN

Keep checking. The title "most worshipful" refers to the the english title i.e. judges are called worshipful (the American equvialent to "Your honor"). The "temple" is a reference to the lodge and again is a word, not a description. And ritual? All organizations have rituals. The Boy scouts, the Elks lodge, the K of C. All have rituals that are performed. A secret society is one by definition that meets in secret and denies there existence. The Mason's actually publish there meeting times and can be attended by all EXCEPT the lodge meetings. Which is concurrent with most fraternal organizations, what would the point of membership be if anyone could come and go as they pleased. In order to sit through lodge you have to be a member. "

American wrote on Jun 10, 2008 12:41 PM:

" To "Gov't Oppressed Mule": Facts, yep, checked, the masonic lodge is a secret orginization, even by your own words "held in secret until you become member". Religious, yes, "Temple, Most worshipful Master, rituals, etc. come to mind (word search Ephesians 5:11) Money: A previous Pantagraph article last week had the details, I beleive it was 1/2 million for the building and property, 1/4 million additional to "help out", and free city land to boot. "

Sam Wainwright wrote on Jun 10, 2008 11:58 AM:

" Great news! This would make an excellent spot for a city-funded semi-pro Single A Hackey-Sack team stadium. Now if I can just get a city grant for about $1.5 million I'll be all set... "

Gov't oppressed Mule wrote on Jun 10, 2008 9:25 AM:

" All said and done this was not an easy decision, many people didn't want this to happen, but most understood the need for the elder members. It is truly a shame as the building has many excellent qualities and I hope the city decides to keep it. "

Gov't oppressed Mule wrote on Jun 10, 2008 9:23 AM:

" TO: AMERICAN

Sorry, check your facts. The Masonic lodge is neither secretive nor a religious organization. Their rituals are held secret until you become a member, but they are an organization open to almost everyone, regardless of age (over 18), race, creed, or religion, and while woman cannot be mason's there are masonic bodies for woman (Order of the Eastern Star). And where do you get 3/4 million Last time I checked 224,000 is just under 1/4 million and this was so the city got what they wanted. "

American wrote on Jun 10, 2008 8:35 AM:

" Let's see: 3/4 of a million dollars, from the tax payers of Normal, given to a secret club / religous organization, to rebuild in another location since they are unable to afford the cheaper costs of renovations at their current location. Hmmm..... "

ela wrote on Jun 10, 2008 7:51 AM:

" The Masons are making the same decision that millions of people do everyday - if your home/lodging is no longer accessible and the cost is too high to renovate, YOU MOVE.

I think the Town of Normal is doing a great job on Uptown and am impressed with their help in renovating, and refurbishing historic buildings like The Normal Theater, Maggie Miley’s, The Garlic Press, Babbitt’s Books, and Micheleo’s Pizza. The Town also did a nice job with newer buildings like Medicis, NV Lounge, Emack and Bolio’s Ice Cream, Cosi, and The Children’s Discovery Museum. "

ancient one wrote on Jun 10, 2008 6:53 AM:

" And raze and rebuild is cheaper than an elevator. What was it Pogo Possum used to say: 'We have met the enemy, and he is us.' "

davidil wrote on Jun 10, 2008 5:53 AM:

" The One Main Group demolished a local landmark in Champaign, so I would fear for the future of this beautiful building! "

senior lady wrote on Jun 9, 2008 11:50 PM:

" At the turn of the last century Masonic lodges weren't accessible to women. My grandmother was a professional singer and she told me that whenever she sang at any Masonic function, she had to be blindfolded and led on the stage and sang without seeing the audience. Just a bit of quaint information. I'm sure that is not the rule now. "

Ekim wrote on Jun 9, 2008 11:12 PM:

" Yes please let us raze any hit of identity, character, or history in or surrounding Normal. We don' want anything to do with that. Shallow and superficial are the buss words. Lets leave our children nothing. "

cats55ire wrote on Jun 9, 2008 10:16 PM:

" Right-o!!!! DOWN WITH THE OLD, UP WITH THE NEW! How ridiculous!!!
How is it that so many structures in this grand land of ours are being torn down . . . progress? I don't think so! Being new doesn't mean it's better!
Let me see the hands . . . WHO WANTS TO SPEND MORE MONEY IN NORMAL--UPTOWN . . . DOWNTOWN. . . WHATEVER!!!!! "

Pontiac resident wrote on Jun 9, 2008 8:48 PM:

" The Masonic fraternaty does more good in the communities they're in than any other charitable organazation. Very good group of men! "

Not so Political wrote on Jun 9, 2008 7:44 PM:

" all good things come to an end when government gets involeded. "

matt wrote on Jun 9, 2008 7:28 PM:

" heaven forbid you keep a piece of history, something with character, instead of having all the buildings look alike. "

Venture Bros. wrote on Jun 9, 2008 6:54 PM:

" The important thing is that we tear down as many well built older historical structures as we can, so that new, drywall and fake brick exerior buildings are built as quickly as possible in the name of "progress". Uptown where ? "
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