Salt Lake Masonic Temple

The Salt Lake Masonic Temple is the Masonic headquarters for Utah, and is Salt Lake City's best example of Egyptian Revival Architecture. It was completed in 1927, and is located in the South Temple Historic District of Salt Lake City, Utah.General informationThe Salt Lake Masonic Temple consists of several Lodge rooms, greater and lesser Halls, numerous lounges, a banquet hall, an auditorium, a library and administrative offices. The Temple is currently home to the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Utah; five Salt Lake City Masonic Lodges (Wasatch Lodge No. 1, Mt. Moriah Lodge No. 2, Argenta Lodge No. 3, Salt Lake Lodge No. 17, and Progress Lodge No. 22) The Orient of Utah of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry; the Grand York Rite Bodies of Utah, and constituent Salt Lake York Rite Bodies; El Kalah Shrine; as well as the Grand Bodies for the ladies and youth organizations.The building remains in continual use since it opened in 1927 and is maintained and operated by the Salt Lake Masonic Temple Association.UsageThe primary function of the building is the performance of the various rituals of the several Masonic organizations in Salt Lake City, and to provide a convenient location for administrative functions of the Utah Masonic family. The building is available for use by non-Masonic entities and persons.HistoryThe decision to build the Salt Lake Masonic Temple took shape in the fall of 1920 as the Masonic population in Salt Lake City had outgrown the existing Temple then located at the intersection of 2nd East and 1st South. The architect and Building Committee traveled to other cities reviewing existing Masonic Temples for favorable and unfavorable elements. Ultimately the committee resolved that the Salt Lake Masonic Temple be unique and not copied from existing Temples. By 1925 the plans had been completed, the land was purchased, and the interior furnishings arranged.