posted October 5, 2008
The stately Masonic Temple on Vine Street was almost sold to a local foundation, but is now getting a facelift from its longtime owners.
Bill Fulks, treasurer for the four Masonic groups that meet in the mansion on a hill above Central Avenue, said the showplace had been offered for sale for a number of months. He said there was interest in the profit, but financing could not be obtained.
Then he said the Benwood Foundation had plans to occupy the front portion of the old Jo Conn Guild home, while the Masonic groups would continue to meet in the rear portions that were added after the 1960 acquisition.
Mr. Fulks said, "An architect gave the foundation a price of $1.5 million to restore the mansion. Then Hurricane Katrina hit, and the price went up to $3.5 million. So that was cost prohibitive."
He said the Masons at that point decided to make some needed repairs and stay on in the historic Fort Wood neighborhood.
Mr. Fulks said, "This is home to many of our members. There was one - banker Millard Reynolds - who had his ashes sprinkled here."
He said the group set aside $50,000 for a new roof and outside painting, including removing many decoratives pieces and scraping away old layers of paint.
Mr. Fulks said the original cost has already risen to above $100,000 as additional needed repairs are discovered. But he said the repairs were long overdue. He said the grounds will also be spruced up.
It was found that the decorative pieces near the roof line are actually each composed of six pieces of western red cedar bound together. The 6x16-foot roof beams are of similar fine lumber that was brought by rail from the West.
The first floor has some beautiful woodwork and fireplaces as well as pocket doors. Originally, it included a dumb waiter used to bring up food to the dining area from a kitchen below.
There are two upper floors that have long been unused and are in need of extensive repairs.
Mr. Fulks said the Masons sometimes use the first floor of the mansion for weddings and other social occasions.
They are more often holding meetings in several rooms at the rear that are lined with photographs of past Worshipful Masters. That section has rooms with intricate flooring, theatre seating along the sides and an ancient seat that is occupied by the Worshipful Master during floor exercises.
The units are Chattanooga 199 York Rite, Temple 430, Lookout Commandery 14 and John B. Nicklin 49.
A handsome Masonic Temple was formerly at the southeast corner of Seventh and Cherry, but it had to be taken down during street widenings, Mr. Fulks said. The Masons still own this and other downtown property and gain parking revenue from them.
Mr. Fulks said Tennessee had about 98,000 Masons in 1967 and about 48,000 now, but he said the groups still enjoy coming together regularly and performing important charity work.
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