The History of the Allentown Masonic Temple

The decision to build a new Masonic Temple was made in 1915 by several lodges that were meeting at different locations throughout the Allentown area. The two most influential lodges at the time were Barger Lodge No. 333 and Jordan Lodge No. 673 with 450 men as well as four appendant York Rite Bodies.

The Masonic Temple Association was organized in 1916.
In 1920 there were eleven Masonic and Masonic related organizations.  A fund drive was launched and a committee formed for gathering ideas. The fundraising by 3,168 members making monthly pledges raised, $445,535 by 1921. The additional funds needed, a half million dollars, were raised by the public sale of 20 year bond. The contracts for the Temple were awarded in 1923. Ground was broken in February 1923.

The cornerstone was laid by the officers of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania with over seventeen hundred Masons and several thousand spectators.

By the summer of 1925 there were more than 20 Masonic or Masonic-related organizations with various auxiliaries, drill corps, choruses and bands occupying the Temple. From 1928 to the 40’s the temple was used for fraternal Masonic activities and daily for social activities as well as banquets.

The Great Depression impacted Masonic membership and the Temple Association began rental of parlor space which has continued to the present time. Rental grew over time. By July 2014 the largest tenant left leaving 13,000 square feet of office space available. In addition since 1970 four Chapters of the Eastern Star have left or merged with other chapters, also several of the Masonic organization have merged internally or merged with other organizations at another location.
Although through the years some of historical decorations have been compromised, there still remains a significant amount of the original stencil and decorative art. The temple gained National Historical Registry May 5, 2004.

At the present time there a four Masonic Lodges and at least 9 Masonic or related appendant bodies housed in the Temple. In addition the Temple houses the General Harry C. Trexler Library gifted in 1928, and is one of the finest Masonic research libraries in Pennsylvania.