Online Tour
The proposal to build “a suitable Masonic Temple in commemoration of Peace and Masonic Unity”, was put to Grand Lodge on 21st June, 1921, less than two months after the consecration of the United Grand Lodge of Queensland, on 27th April, 1921, created to achieve the “full, perfect and perpetual union” of Freemasons in Queensland.
The Centre is dedicated to a threefold purpose :
- as a shrine and monument to our mighty dead
- as a solid symbol of Masonic unity throughout Queensland
- as the administrative centre for the Craft throughout Queensland
Its total cost was approximately £130,000 ($260,000), and is today a Heritage listed building, valued at over $14,000,000. It is built of sandstone, brick, re-inforced concrete, and marble. The sandstone is from Helidon with most of the marble from Chillagoe in the north of Queensland.
The Masonic Centre in Brisbane was opened on Wednesday, December 10th, 1930, by the Grand Master, M.W.Bro. W. H. Green, at 7 p.m.
On the front of the Centre are six fluted Corinthian columns, each 1.6 metres in diameter, and four storeys high.
The building consists of five levels – four floors and a basement, and is a dedicated War Memorial to the fallen. It is the 3rd of the major Masonic Building in Brisbane following the original Temple in Albert Street and the later Alice Street Temple.
The Centre in Ann Street has been listed by the National Trust as a historic building worthy of preservation.
Most importantly it is the headquarters of the Craft in Queensland.
The Grand Foyer
His Excellency the Governor of Queensland, Sir John Goodwin, K.C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O., unveiled the Urn of Remembrance in the ground floor foyer, to the memory of our brethren who paid the supreme sacrifice in the Great War. (Since that time, the Memorial nature of the Centre includes Brethren who fell in subsequent wars.)
The wonderful inscription on the Urn reads as follows:
“Brethren beloved! Your hearts of gold,
From us no Time can sever;
Dauntless you leapt from heights untold,
Dying, you live for ever!”
The Grand Hall
The furniture in the Grand Hall and throughout the building is made of Queensland timbers – silky-oak, maple and cedar. It was constructed on-site as the Center was built. The cost of the furniture for the whole Center at the time of construction was £10,000 ($20,000), and now has a replacment cost of over $1.2 million. The Grand Hall also houses a large master clock which came from the Alice Street Temple.
Situated at the rear of the Choir Loft in Grand Hall, the Organ is a comprehensive instrument equal to any in the State of Queensland. A new Electric Action was installed with the organ in 1985 at a cost of $35,000 which include a new Swell sound board; Great sound board; a reconditioned bellows fitted with new leathers. It is the fifth largest Pipe Organ of its kind in Queensland.
Our Grand Hall, viewed from the Senior Warden’s Chair, has a seating capacity of 700, and is the only dedicated Grand Hall in Australasia capable of accommodating a Grand Installation.
Tours – Masonic Memorial Temple – Ann Street
Free tours of the Ann Street Centre are conducted at 2pm Monday – Friday. Group bookings are requested to pre book with the Grand Secretariat at least 3 days prior.
For bookings please phone 3229 3533