Building

CORNERSTONE EVENT: The front page of the January 14, 1915 Grand Rapids Herald reported, "Today marks a new era in the history of masonry in western Michigan. The day will witness the laying of the cornerstone of the most pretentious structure devoted to fraternal purposes in the western part of the state, when the magnificent new temple erected by the masonic fraternity in Grand Rapids is completed there will be nothing in the state to equal it, with a single possible exception. The ceremony will be conducted with simple accompaniments, but no less solemn because of its simplicity. The cornerstone containing the archives of the lodges of Free and Accepted Masons in Grand Rapids, will be laid according to ancient Masonic usage, in the present of the officers of the Grand lodge of Michigan, F. & A. M., Grand Chapter of the Easter Star and White Shrine of Jerusalem. The official act of placing the unpretentious block of granite where it will stand for ages to come will be performed by grand Master William M. Perrett, Od Detroit, assisted by other Grand lodge officers. Preceding the cornerstone exercise, the five masonic lodges and co-ordinate bodies will march to the site on Fulton Street, between Barclay and Lafayette avenues, and participate in the exercises. While the exercises attending the placing of the cornerstone will be impressive and attended with deep fraternal significance, the banquet at the Coliseum in the evening will be a crowning feature of the most auspicious and significant masonic event in the history of Grand Rapids and western Michigan. The forenoon will be devoted to the reception of distinguished officers of the grand Lodge, and co-ordinate bodies, Supreme Chapter White Shrine of Jerusalem and Grand Chapter order of the Eastern Star." "The order of the morning exercises will begin with assembling of masonic bodies at 11 a.m. at the temple, lonia Avenue and Louis Street, under the direction of William E. Elliott, marshal, who will superintend the line of march and disposition of the numerous bodies at the new temple for the ceremonies. The column will march through lonia Avenue to Monroe Avenue, thence direct to the temple. The parade will beled by the Furniture City band, DeMolai commandery, Knights Templar, acting as escort. Following will be the five Blue Lodges, each lodge to be headed by a Knight Templar in uniform, aids of Marshal Elliott. Following the lodges will be automobiles containing the distinguished guests from various parts of the state, the autos being led by Malta band. Governor Woodbridge N, Ferris, United States senator William Alden Smith, Former Governor Chase S. Osborn, john J. Carton, deputy supreme council thirty-third degree; Grand Master William M. Perrett, Detroit;....". "Grand Eminent Commander Gordon R. Campbell...." "John I. McMallum, Grand Master R.A.M.; Mrs. Emma Ecobock, worth associategrand matron of the general grand chapter, O.E.S. of the United States,". After the laying of the cornerstone a program at the Coliseum will be held where the Michigan state governor will speak. Honors will be given to William E. Elliott 33°, “The Man Who Made It Possible". "The copper box containing the historical data for the cornerstone was sealed yesterday afternoon at 5 o'clock.

The January 15, 1915 Grand Rapids Herald reported the Cornerstone laying event in detail. At "High Twelve," Thursday, January 14, 1915 was the event of laying the corner stone for the new Grand Rapids Masonic Temple where 3,400 persons claim membership in different masonic bodies. Ceremony headed by Grand Master William E. Perrett of Detroit, head of the Grand Lodge of Freeand Accepted Masons (F&AM) Michigan. The parade marshal was William E. Elliott Past Commander of DeMolai No.5, and with him in charge of the parade it was stated that it was a total success without any problems. The parade started at the current Temple building (which many still called the Fox building) and had 200 DeMolai No. 5 Sir Knights which was led by another Past Commander, Charles I. Buell, who had them formed into 14 platoons was the parade escort as they lead them to the new temple on Fulton that was under construction on this cloudy day. Following was the Furniture City Band and following them was white horse drawn carriages. The first one was carrying VIPs of the Grand Lodge; and second one U.S. Senator William A. Smith. Following these were Automobiles with other VIPs. Some of the special VIPs that were present for the event and celebrations after the laying of the cornerstone were; Current Michigan Governor Woodbridge Nathan Ferris (1913-1917){Master Mason), former Michigan Governor Chase S. Osborn (1911-1913). United States Senator from Michigan William Alden Smith (1907-1919) (Sir Knight and 33°), Grand Rapids Mayor George E. Ellis (past Grand Patron of the Grand Chapter of the O.E.S. of Michigan), Right Eminent Grand Commander Gordon R. Campbell of Knight Templar Michigan, John J. Carton Deputy for Michigan Supreme Council 33rd degree Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (A.A.S.R.), John I. McCallum Most Illustrious Grand Master Royal & Select Masons of Michigan, Mrs. Emma Ocobock Worth Associate GrandMatron of the General Grand Chapter 0.E.S. of United States, Herbert Montague Past Grand master and Superintendent of the Masonic Home in Alma, and John Rowson (1901 DeMolai Commander and Past Grand Master) President of Masonic Temple Association (MTA), Grand GeneralissmoMark Norris (Past commander of DeMolai No. 5, and future Grand Commander of Michigan (1917, and future Grand Commander of the Grand Encampment (1937-1940]). Before the start of the corner stone ceremonies the DeMolai No. 5 Commandery Sir Knights were at their post of Honor at the corner entrance of the building. At "High Twelve" when the flag that had been draped block of corner stone of granite which all where here to honor, as this United States Flag was slowly raised, the Furniture City band played, “The Star-SpangledBanner" which swelled upon the air and the vest crowd stood uncovered in respectful homage while the strokes of 12 were tolled in ringing tones. As the corner stone was hanging and ready to be placed, the cement applied to the area with the symbolic workman's tool that cements all good men together, the trowel, as the Worshipful William M. Perrett of the Grand Lodge of Michigan, (who would late receive the Masters trowel in honor of this event), as he was to apply the cement just as the stone was set in place and bind the stone to the main structure, the inspiring strains of "America" added a patriotic solemnity to the scene. The Divine blessing was invoked by Grand Chaplain William H. Gallagher. Then the Past Grand Master and acting President of the Masonic Temple Association, John Rowson, invited the grand Lodge to lay the corner stone with due ceremony in accordance with Masonic custom. He said, “MostWorshipful Grand master, the masonic fraternity of this city being animated by sincere desire to promote the social uplift and general welfare of the craft in this part of our, grand jurisdiction, have undertaken to erect on the place we now stand, a temple to be devoted to the exclusive uses of our order and its branches. We hope it may long serve the purpose for which it is being constructed; that strength and beauty may adorn all its parts and wisdom continually go forth from within its walls to enlighten its members and this community. On behalf of the Masonic Temple Association I now most respectfully request that you lay the cornerstone, thereof, according to the form and ceremonies of our ancient and honorable fraternity." Then John H.P. Hughart 33° and Past Commander of DeMolai No. 5 (1902), he was the custodian of the copper box containing the historical data, which at this time he presented the box to Worshipful Grand Master. While the cement was being prepared the Furniture City band played "Solders of the Cross". The box was then given to Grand Treasure William Wente, and now the band was once again playing, “The Star-SpangledBanner", and he deposit the copper box into the corner stone and cement was applied. The working tools of the craft were then presented to the Grand Master, the square, compass, and level. These were presented to Grand Marshal Ira Beck in turn to Deputy Grand Master George L. Lusk, who made the ritualistic test with the square. Senior Grand Warden John H. Hawks, who made the test with the level, and to Junior Grand Warden Louis H. Fead, who made the compass test, Grand Marshal Beck then pronounced the stone "plumb, squire and level”, in this proclamation due from his office, then grand honors were given by officers and members. The celebration included presenting the master trowel to Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Michigan William M. Perrett. The trowel was described as finished in steel highly polished, bearing the square and compass in heave raised gold with this inscription, "Presented to William M Perrett, M.W.G.M. (Master Worshipful Grand Master of Michigan F. & A. M. of Michigan), by the Masonic Temple Association of Grand Rapids, Michigan, on the occasion of the laying, of the corner stone, Masonic Temple, January 14, 1915." The worshipful grand master was deeply moved and for several moments his emotions prevented him in giving a reply. However when he recovered he expressed great appreciation in terms that wept deep into the hearts of every Mason present. Then Michigan Governor Woodbridge N. Ferris rendered kind remarks the great impulse of the industrial world and man's constructive power. The governor draw a parallel with these things and this new Mason Temple which illustrated that genius of construction impulse which demonstrated the Masons in Grand Rapids to give to coming generations and the community a building that would exemplify the true principles of Masonry, and by this illustration show that it was this constructive element that built communities, states and nations. He stated, "Your temple is illustrative of the work of the head and heart. I congratulate you because it stands for all those things which make for the construction of charter, and your purpose and impulse has been exemplified in that beautifulstructure. It is a glorious thing to look upon. It is not simple for you, but for the whole community, an exemplification of the brotherhood and the principles in which you glory."

An impressive portion of the ceremony was the spreading of corn upon the stone, emblematic of joy; and wine, emblematic of refreshment, by the deputy grand master, grand marshal and senior grand warden, respectively, The contents of the cornerstone were read by Grand Secretary Lou B. Winsor and copies of The Grand Rapids Herald of January 3 and 10.