ARDALLAS.JUL

The Dallas Scottish Rite Cathedral

     "Begun in peace and completed in harmony," the Dallas Scottish
Rite Cathedral continues to serve Dallas Brethren today.  In fact
the Cathedral's ample facilities were enjoyed by the participants
in recent South Central Scottish Rite Workshop, March 16-17, l990. 
See page     of this issue.
     The Scottish Rite of Freemasonry entered Dallas with the
permanent charter of Dallas Lodge of Perfection granted on October,
l897.  Initially housed in two other buildings, the Stafford and
Dan Sullivan, the Brethren held their first Reunion in Turner Hall,
the site of the present Cathedral, in May of l904, and by the fifth
Reunion on April 19, l906, ground was broken for the present
building.  This beautiful edifice, like the cathedrals of old, was
several years in building, but by April, l913, at the close of the
twenty-second Reunion in Dallas, it was completed and dedicated.
     The Cathedral's imposing portico is graced by six monumental
classical pillars and three large, brass-decorated wooden doors
which open into a grand marble staircase leading to second-floor
lodge rooms, blue and green, and an theater-like auditorium
lavishly decorated with oriental motifs.  A highlight of the
auditorium is its white Wicks Pipe Organ which was purchased in
l925 and expanded from 8 to 11 ranks.
     Other outstanding features of the Dallas Scottish Rite
Cathedral include a large traditional library furnished with
beautiful wood-and-glass cases, red leather chairs, rich paneling
and a massive fireplace.  Also an ample, elegant parlor provides
a comfortable meeting place for the ladies, and a huge dining room
is appropriately titled the Crystal Banquet Hall.  Suspended from
an ornate plaster ceiling, 216 crystal chandeliers add brilliant
light and elegance to this lovely facility.
     A modern kitchen gleaming with stainless steel services the
Crystal Banquet Hall and provides a modern note to the Cathedral's
rich use of traditional stained glass windows, marble wainscotting,
fine mosaics, oil portraits, luxuriant draperies, and deeply carved
plaster ceilings.
     Mixing classic and contemporary elements, the Dallas Scottish
Rite Cathedral is both an inspiring evocation of our Masonic past
and a dynamic center for the Scottish Rite Freemasonry today. 
Visit soon!

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