Charters Towers Masonic Lodge

Charters Towers Masonic Lodge
Charters Towers Masonic Lodge
	Charters Towers Masonic Temple, 1985
Location	20 Ryan Street, Charters Towers City, Charters Towers, Charters Towers Region, Queensland, Australia
Coordinates	20°04′33″S146°15′38″E / 20.0758°S 146.2606°E
Design period	1870s–1890s (late 19th century)
Built	1887–1897
Queensland Heritage Register
Official name	Charters Towers Masonic Lodge
Type	state heritage (built)
Designated	21 October 1992
Reference no.	600411
Significant period	1887, 1896–1897 (fabric); 1887–ongoing (social)
Significant components	toilet block/earth closet/water closet, furniture/fittings, residential accommodation – housing
	Location of Charters Towers Masonic Lodge in Queensland Charters Towers Masonic Lodge (Australia)

Last updated December 23, 2023

Charters Towers Masonic Lodge is a heritage-listed masonic temple at 20 Ryan Street, Charters Towers City, Charters Towers, Charters Towers Region, Queensland, Australia. It was built from 1887 to 1897. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.^[1]

History

The Charters Towers Masonic Lodge was constructed in two stages in 1887 and 1896–97. The building is a prominent structure within the city, and is illustrative of the prosperity of Charters Towers in the late nineteenth century, and the importance of the Masons within the local community.^[1]

Queensland was the last Australian state to have a Freemason's Grand Lodge. The first lodges were established in Brisbane by 1859 and the first lodge in Charters Towers was established on 23 March 1875. Fourteen people were present at the first meeting held at Hishon's Hotel. Installing Master, Mr Brodziack of Townsville, installed Gold Warden, WSEM Charters, as the first Worshipful Master. Charters served two terms as Worshipful Master of this first lodge which was known as the Charters Towers Lodge No.1546EC.^[1]

The first Masonic hall, a small wooden building, was constructed on land in Gill Street which was donated by Mr Brodziack of Townsville. The building soon became too small as more lodges were formed. The St John's Davenport Lodge No.655SC approached the Charters Towers Lodge to discuss the erection of a new hall. Both lodges pooled resources, formed a company, sold shares to members and purchased the Ryan Street property on 18 September 1876.^[1]

In 1887 a new single storey hall was constructed on Ryan Street directly behind the Gill Street building. The foundation stone was laid on 30 April 1887 and the new building was dedicated on 16 September 1887 by Worshipful Master Maurice Bennett WM.^[1]

Two "commodious" shops were constructed on the former lodge site in Gill Street in 1889. Rent from these shops was used to support the work of the Masons in the town, including a yearly bursary of £ 25 for the education of a child of a member. Funds were also directed to the further development of the Lodge in Ryan Street.^[1]

In April, 1896 the Northern Miner stated that work had begun on the construction of a second floor to the Masonic Lodge. An article in the North Queensland Register on 18 June 1897 reported that construction of the second storey was completed.^[1]

Several grand lodges were established in Charters Towers during the early days of settlement. These lodges, reflecting the code of Freemasonry to promote the brotherhood of man, render practical aid to the less fortunate in your community, to encourage the practice of every moral and social virtue and to develop behaviour in everyday life which would reflect the teachings of the Freemasons organisation, were established by various national groups. Scottish, Irish and English Freemasons had all established lodges by 1896. These lodges, which were established mainly to offer support to miners and towns people during times of crises, also became centres of social activity.^[1]

The tradition of Freemasonry, begun in 1872, continues in the city today with five lodges operating from the Ryan Street building.^[1]

Description

The Masonic Temple, Charters Towers is a two-storeyed masonry and timber building with a hipped corrugated iron roof. Facing north, it addresses Ryan Street which runs parallel to, and one block from Gill Street, the main commercial street of Charters Towers.^[1]

The building is located centrally within the flat, grassed property of two allotments. Fronting the building is a garden of shrubs and hedges.^[1]

With the height, and long side facing the street, the building is prominent amongst its mainly single-storey residential neighbours. From the upper level, the commanding view extends over the nearby houses.^[1]

The building is rectangular in plan, on an east–west axis, with a rendered brick core and timber verandahs on three sides. The two end verandahs are enclosed. The open front verandah has timber posts, boarded valance and cast iron balustrade, frieze and brackets. Centred is a two-storeyed rendered masonry entry portico, with archways pediment and balustrade.^[1]

The exterior of the core is render scored as ashlar coursing. The end verandahs are timber framed, externally clad in chamferboard, which have been further clad in fibro sheet and metal siding. The gutters have acroteria, decorative rainwater heads and moulded soffit brackets.^[1]

The core of the ground floor is a single room meeting hall. It has a high (about 4.5-metre (15 ft)) boarded ceiling, and awning windows with sills at eye height. The pair of entry doors are six-panelled with an arched fanlight. The eastern end is enclosed as a kitchen. The western end has the timber stair. It features turned balusters and newels and moulded string. Added to the rear is a small single-storey toilet block clad in fibro sheet.^[1]

The upper level has a similar layout to the ground floor, and a similar high boarded ceiling with three fretted roses, panelled doors and double hung windows. At the western end, the panelled entry doors have a ceremonial knocker and peep-hole. The hall contains furniture specific to its use as a Masonic lodge, including black and white lino centrepiece, floor, pews, thrones, podium, certificates and decrees. The layout is in accordance with Masonic practice with the Grand Master to the east.^[1]

Between the western end of the temple and the boundary is a small single-storey caretaker's cottage clad in fibro sheet.^[1]

Heritage listing

Charters Towers Masonic Lodge was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992 having satisfied the following criteria.^[1]

The place is important in demonstrating the evolution or pattern of Queensland's history.

The Charters Towers Masonic Lodge demonstrates the spread of Freemasonry in regional Queensland.^[1]

The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a particular class of cultural places.

The two-storeyed building, comprising a large meeting hall on each level, is typical of the planform chosen for Masonic Lodges.^[1]

The place is important because of its aesthetic significance.

The Masonic Lodge exhibits aesthetic qualities valued by the community, in particular, it contributes to the streetscape as a prominent monumental building and is a symbol of the prosperity and importance of Charters Towers in the late nineteenth century.^[1]

The place has a strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group for social, cultural or spiritual reasons.

It has a long association with the Charters Towers community and reflects the important civic role of Masonic Lodges in the city.^[1]

The place has a special association with the life or work of a particular person, group or organisation of importance in Queensland's history.

It is significant as a place which has been in continuous use as a Masonic Centre since 1887 and the configuration of furniture and fittings has a strong association with Masonic ceremonies and the Masonic Lodge.^[1]

Related Research Articles

The Masonic Temple is a heritage-listed masonic temple at 311 Ann Street, Brisbane City, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Lange Leopold Powell of Atkinson, Powell and Conrad and was built from 1928 to 1930 by George Alexander Stronach & Son. It is also known as the Masonic Memorial Temple. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

Yangan Masonic Hall is a heritage-listed masonic hall at 36 King Street, Yangan, Southern Downs Region, Queensland, Australia. It was built from 1898 to 1957. It is also known as Yangan Masonic Temple and was formerly the Yangan School of Arts. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

St Mary's Presbytery is a heritage-listed Roman Catholic presbytery of St Mary's Roman Catholic Church at 142 Palmerin Street, Warwick, Southern Downs Region, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Wallace & Gibson and built from 1885 to 1887 by John McCulloch. It is also known as Father JJ Horan's private residence. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 31 July 2008.

Cooroora Masonic Temple is a heritage-listed community hall at 9 Station Street, Pomona, Shire of Noosa, Queensland, Australia. It was built in 1923. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 12 December 2003.

Isis Masonic Lodge is a heritage-listed masonic temple at 18 Macrossan Street, Childers, Bundaberg Region, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by F H Faircloth and built from 1897 to 1909. It is also known as Corinthian Lodge. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 28 April 2000.

Mount Morgan Masonic Temple is a heritage-listed masonic temple at 2 Gordon Street, Mount Morgan, Rockhampton Region, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Eaton & Bates and built in 1903 by Newman Brothers. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

Rockhampton Masonic Hall is a heritage-listed masonic hall at 112–114 Kent Street, Rockhampton, Rockhampton Region, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Eaton & Bates and built from 1900 to 1901 by Bradshaw & Ricketts. It is also known as Masonic Lodge and Masonic Temple. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 23 June 2000.

Mackay Masonic Temple is a heritage-listed masonic temple at 57 Wood Street, Mackay, Mackay Region, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by F. H. Faircloth and built in 1925 by William Ptrick Guthrie. It is also known as Masonic Hall. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 14 August 2009.

Bank of New South Wales Building is a former heritage-listed bank at 101–111 Flinders Street, Townsville CBD, City of Townsville, Queensland, Australia. It was built in 1887 by Denis Kelleher. It is also known as Australian Meat Industry Employees Union. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

Townsville Masonic Hall is a heritage-listed former masonic temple at 485-493 Sturt Street, Townsville CBD, City of Townsville, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by W G Smith & Sons and built in 1889 by Sparre & Hansen. It is also known as Assembly of God Hall, Calvary Temple, Townsville Choral & Orchestral Society Building, Townsville Choral Society Inc. Building, and Townsville Choral and Orchestral Society Building. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

Barcaldine Masonic Temple is a heritage-listed masonic temple at 39 Beech Street, Barcaldine, Barcaldine Region, Queensland, Australia. It was built in 1900. It is also known as Comet Masonic Temple. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

Blackall Masonic Temple is a heritage-listed masonic temple at Hawthorn Street, Blackall, Blackall-Tambo Region, Queensland, Australia. It was built in 1908. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

Mount Perry Masonic Lodge is a heritage-listed masonic temple at Isabella Street, Mount Perry, North Burnett Region, Queensland, Australia. It was built in 1904. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

Cairns Masonic Temple is a heritage-listed former masonic temple at 8 Minnie Street, Cairns City, Cairns, Cairns Region, Queensland, Australia. It was built from 1934 to 1935. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 28 August 1998.

Bank of New South Wales is a heritage-listed former bank building at 34–36 Gill Street, Charters Towers City, Charters Towers, Charters Towers Region, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Eyre & Munro and built in 1889 by Kelleher. It is also known as Wherry House. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 9 November 2012.

Charters Towers Police Station is a heritage-listed police station at 49 Gill Street, Charters Towers City, Charters Towers, Charters Towers Region, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Thomas Pye and built in 1910 by T Johnson. It is also known as Police Barracks. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

Croydon Hospital Ward is a heritage-listed former hospital at Sircom Street, Croydon, Shire of Croydon, Queensland, Australia. It was built in 1894. It is also known as Croydon State Emergency Services Building. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

Maitland Lodge of Unity Masonic Hall and Lodge is a heritage-listed masonic lodge and masonic hall at 5 Victoria Street, Maitland, City of Maitland, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by J. W. Pender and built from 1886 to 1927. The property is owned by Maitland Lodge of Unity. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 19 December 2014.

Charters Towers Post Office is a heritage-listed post office at 17 Gill Street, Charters Towers City, Charters Towers, Charters Towers Region, Queensland, Australia. It was added to the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List on 8 November 2011.

References

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 "Charters Towers Masonic Lodge (entry 600411)". Queensland Heritage Register . Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 1 August 2014.

Attribution

This Wikipedia article was originally based on "The Queensland heritage register" published by the State of Queensland under CC-BY 3.0 AU licence (accessed on 7 July 2014, archived on 8 October 2014). The geo-coordinates were originally computed from the "Queensland heritage register boundaries" published by the State of Queensland under CC-BY 3.0 AU licence (accessed on 5 September 2014, archived on 15 October 2014).

External links

Media related to Charters Towers Masonic Temple at Wikimedia Commons

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[qhr-1] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 "Charters Towers Masonic Lodge (entry 600411)". Queensland Heritage Register . Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 1 August 2014.

[1]