TEMPLE REVIVAL: Group Eyes Restoration of Masonic Temple, Recalls 1903 Fire
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Eric Jylha (Back of Room) speaks to a large crowd at the old Masonic Temple.
In its glory days, before the 1903 fire, the temple sported onion domes and an elaborate campanile soaring high above.
It was Tuesday, May 19, 1903 at 5 p.m. when a fiery moment burned into the history of Bay City.
Historian Eric Jylha drew a huge crowd on Sunday, May 18, 2014, on that very site, talking of the glorious past of one of Bay City's most architecturally interesting buildings -- the old Masonic Temple at Madison and Sixth.
Eric Jylha
The Friends of the Masonic Temple, headed by Dee Dee Wacksman, are engaged in a drive to raise funds to fix roof leaks, estimated to cost $40,000, and find a source for a complete restoration, estimated at $6 million.
Officers of the group are considering using the temple for an arts and music school. A permanent use must be in place to qualify for foundation grants, said Lynn Stamiris, a board member who is heading the fundraising drive.
The group has found 300 commemorative coins in the building that will be given to donors of $20 or more, he said.
It is impossible to recreate with words the scene of the blaze, but the local newspaper did an admirable job in the next day's edition.
The Masons had just completed the work of conferring Scottish Rite degrees on a large class. After adjournment at 5 p.m., a few members lingered behind, including a Mr. Gilbert and W.W. Williams.
Suddenly, Mr. Gilbert noticed the smell of smoke. "An investigation followed, and sure enough it was discovered issuing from a point near the stage," the Bay City Times-Press reported.
"Even then there was no apprehension. No. 1 chemical responded and the men proceeded to locate the fire. This proved a very difficult task.
"It was but a few minutes, however, when smoke began making its appearance through the cornice on Sixth Street."
Firemen began tearing out the ceiling in the dining room in the southeast corner of the basement almost below the stage. "It was found that fire had eaten its way between the flooring and ceiling and the entire length of the hall.
"At 6 it became apparent to all that the building was doomed to destruction. The city's entire firefighting force worked valiantly until long after dark to little effect beyond saving the surrounding buildings."
First Baptist Church, which adjoined the temple, was doused with water and survived with only a scorching, noted Mr. Jylha.
Cause of the fire, it was surmised by Fire Chief T.K. Harding, was likely lightning during a thunderstorm the previous day. Perhaps some electrical wires without proper insulation had smoldered all night and much of the following day before the members became aware of the smoke.
Members began moving furniture out when they decided the fire had taken hold but the Knights Templar were able to save only a few uniforms, he said.
The Masons determined even while the building was afire to rebuild, and the present structure was completed and opened in 1905. Money was short so some of the ornate onion domes and the campanile on the original building were not reconstructed.
The temple dates to a group headed by Nathan B. Bradley and James McCormick that petitioned for a Masonic charter in 1858. Joppa Lodge Free and Accepted Masons was chartered in 1861, the same year the Civil War broke out. Bay City's population was only 700 at the time, said Mr. Jylha.
The number of lodges grew to 12 from the first Joppa Lodge and membership exceeded 700 by the 1870s when the Scottish Rite adherents broke off and eventually built the Consistory Cathedral next door, opened in 1927. The York Rite members continued in the old building and Joppa Lodge still meets there today.
Rock River sandstone from the Bay City Quarry, run by local businessmen, some 20 miles from Marquette was used for the building and also the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, he said.
Architects Pratt & Koeppe likely used a Masonic design to create the Moorish look featuring terra cotta tile decorations in the 36,800 square foot building, said Mr. Jylha.
The first movie shown in Bay City, a short flick featuring the Charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War, was screened in 1897 at the Masonic Temple, said Mr. Jylha. Today it is home to the Hell's Half Mile Film Festival in the fall.
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