Part 699: The New Orleans Scottish Rite, 1906
The same year that new Scottish Rite Cathedrals were dedicated in San Francisco, California, and Topeka, Kansas, another one appeared in the south – New Orleans, Louisiana. The Times Democrat reported, “Scottish Rite Masons of Louisiana yesterday afternoon officially dedicated the beautiful new home of the Louisiana Grand Consistory in Carondelet street, and later entertained at a reception the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons and a large number of invited guests.”(30 Nov. 1906. Page 8).
The old Carondelet Street Methodist Church was transformed into a Scottish Rite Cathedral for the price of $10,000. Articles incorporating the Scottish Rite Cathedral were filed in the Probate Court on October 14, 1906, according to The Times-Democrat (page 28). The announcement stated, “The organization is a branch of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Free Masons and the purpose is to erect a cathedral in this city which will be one of the first in the south, and the only one on the state.” The incorporators were R. W. Southerland, H. L. Gaines, Thomas M. McMillan, Robert L. Douglas (president) and P. B. Dixon (secretary).
The dedication ceremony took place in the theater, with the stage being occupied by members of the Grand Lodge and the Grand Consistory. Uniformed members of the Consistory were seated on the main floor and guests in the balcony.
In 1906, painted scenery for the newly constructed stage was gifted by the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Arkansas Consistory, Valley of Little Rock, Orient of Arkansas.
Gus D. Levy, Venerable Grand Master of the Grand Consistory, began the program, explaining that the decision of the Scottish Rite to buy the cathedral of their own had, at the time it was reached, created the impression that it grew out of a breach between the Scottish Rite and York Rote Masons. The Times Democrat included his explanation and his attempt to set the record straight. He allowed L. C. Allen of Shreveport, the Grand Lodge F and AM. To address the matter. The Times Democrat reported, “Mr. Allen first said he was glad of the opportunity to explain matters. The move of the Scottish Rite Masons had not meant that there was any conflict between the two bodies. As a matter of fact they were still intimately associated and closely affiliated with each other.” He concluded the explanation and then spoke of the original, history and present status of Scottish Rite Masonry as well as its relation to the York Rite branch of the order. I have to wonder what else was also going on between the two Masonic orders at this time.
The new temple was the first home for the Louisiana Consistory; the building bought a while back from the Methodists before an additional $10,000 was spent on the recent remodel. The building committee included Charles F. Buck, Gus D. Levy (chairman), Richard Lambert, Frank Chalonn, Joseph Meyers, George W. Voth, B. Lake Henry and W. H. Wood. The architects for the remodel were Stone Bros. With their new stage, the first work of the Scottish Rite included a candidate class of 112 applicants over two days.
On 2 March 1907, the Times Democrat announced “Many Masons Coming” (page 5). The Scottish Rite was to hold a reunion and Sovereign Grand Commander James D. Richardson of the Southern Jurisdiction attended to witness 198 candidates receive the 4th through 32nd degrees. Grand Commander was visiting the New Orleans Scottish Rite on his way to another reunion in Galveston, Texas.
In 2014, the building was listed for $4 million and was sold to developer Craig Boes for $3.25 million. The scenery collection sold for $1,000 during the middle of June in 2015. I know this fact, as I was trying to secure it at the same time on behalf of the Minnesota Masonic Heritage Center. This was during the summer of 2015 while working as their Curatorial Director during the planning and construction of the center. We missed buying them by a week. Because we were unable to purchase the New Orleans collection, the Fort Scott scenery collection became an alternate.
In the end, a theatre group near Austin, Texas, purchased the New Orleans Scottish Rite scenery, cutting the ones they wanted off of the battens. In the end, the group who purchased the scenery, cherry-picked the collection, leaving about twenty drops behind. Lance Brockman and I were in touch with the developers in charge of the renovation for a while, as they sought to track down the artistic provenance. Their plan was to photograph the scenery and maybe hang it in a warehouse somewhere. Unfortunately, the remaining drops were removed during the renovation and their fate is currently unknown.
In looking at the very few images I have received over the years, it appears to be a compilation from a few different eras. I know that some scenery was delivered by Volland Studios in 1953, but am unsure of the rest. I believe that some of the earliest pieces were from Toomey & Volland, including a palatial backdrop posted on one blog. What I am curious about, however, was the stage right rigging, as is looked very similar to that in Yankton and Wichita; certainly not a Brown’s special system.
Almost three years ago, the historic building became home to Nolaluna, an entertainment and dining development company in New Orleans. The building now that features circus artists, singers, musicians, variety acts and comedians. The renovation was estimated at $8 million for the 162-year old building. There is something comforting that the building continues to include the performing arts.
To be continued…
There is a lovely little post by the Traveling Templar about his visit to the building in 2010: http://www.travelingtemplar.com/2013/08/sights-and-places-nola-scottish-rite.html
