Copyright © 2021 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett
In 1924, Thomas G. Moses wrote, “Fred and I took an auto trip to Fort Wayne and got the wires laid for the Shrine work.” They were bidding on scenery for the new Mizpah Shrine Temple at 409 West Berry Street in Fort Wayne, Indiana. On April 24, 1924, the “Garrett Clipper” reported, “The general contract for the construction of the auditorium of Mizpah Shrine temple to be erected in Fort Wayne has been let to Max Irmscher & Sons of that city and excavations were started Thursday morning. The structure will be finished some eighteen months from now or around September 1, 1925.” Designed by Fort Wayne architect Guy Mahurin, the building was an interesting mixture of eastern and western elements. The stage was intended to host professional productions. From the beginning the Masons anticipated that the stage would be used for much more than Masonic activities.
In 1925 Moses wrote, “Fulton and I started our western work by making a lot of models and sketches for a big job in Fort Wayne, Indiana, all Shrine work. The Mizpah Temple. We have endeavored to give them some new ideas and I hope they will go…After a number of delays, we expressed our models to Fort Wayne.”
Moses landed the contract and painted everything on site. That fall, he recorded, “Arrived in Fort Wayne on September 17th and found everything in good shape; a good bridge and frame and a drop on the frame ready for me. I got busy the next day and did a 30’ x 75’ wood in a day and a half – quickest time I ever made, and for one who had not worked in five months, I considered it some feat. I found that I was in good condition and capable of doing a good day’s work.” He was 69 years old and still incredibly fast at scene painting.
After the project was completed, Moses even stayed for the opening ceremonies, writing, “I finished on time and enjoyed my Fez parade and mixing with real fellows, especially the stunts that I have been working on for so many years.”
The opening of the Mizpah Shrine was a three day event that ended with a production of “Aida.” On Nov. 18, 1925, “The Times” announced, “Fort Wayne, Ind. Nov. 18. – A three-day program marking the dedication of the new $1,000,000 clubhouses and auditorium of the Mizpah Shrine temple was opened here today with hundreds of Shriners from Northern Indiana, Ohio and Michigan in attendance” (Muncie, Indiana, page 6).
On Nov. 19, 1925, “The Times” reported, “With 3,000 nobles from all over Indiana in attendance, the three-day program incident to the dedication of the new $1,000,000 building of the Mizpah Shrine Temple was opened here today. Ritualistic services of the order during the day were in charge of Elias Jacoby, of Indianapolis, past imperial potentate. The day’s events closed with a grand ball in the auditorium of the new temple. Tomorrow a class of 300 novices will cross the hot sands to Mecca, the initiation being in charge of Imperial Potentate James C. Burger of Denver, Col., and his divan. A banquet will be served in the evening. The dedication ceremonies will come to a climax Friday evening when the Chicago Grand Opera Company will present Verdi’s “Aida,” with Rosa Raisa singing the title role.”
I was surprised about the addition of n operatic performance. More information was published in the “Steuben Republican” – “The Chicago Grand Opera Company is now in the midst of its season at the Auditorium, Chicago, but will break into its season there and transport the entire immense company and massive scenic equipment to Fort Wayne for the one appearance at the new Mizpah Temple” (Angola, Indiana, 4 Nov., 1925, page 4). That had to have cost a pretty penny at the end of the day, as the production traveled with a 65-piece orchestra too. Membership in the Shrine was skyrocketing and the coffers were filling fast. This did not last, and the Masons could not hold onto their grand edifice.
The building is now known as the Robert Goldstine Performing Arts Center.
To be continued…
Thank You Wendy,
Have enjoyed your story of Thomas Moses.
Paul Martin