DECATUR — Decatur’s Masonic Temple is rich in history; however, the nearly 100-year-old building continues to show its age.
The exterior of the Decatur Masonic Temple is pictured Monday on West William Street. The structure is on the Landmark Illinois agency’s list of 2024 Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois. The building, constructed in 1929, is in desperate need of repairs.
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The exterior of the Decatur Masonic Temple is pictured on West William Street on Monday. The building, constructed in 1929, is on Landmarks Illinois’ 2024 list of Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois.
The exterior of the Decatur Masonic Temple is pictured on West William Street on Monday. The building, constructed in 1929, is on Landmarks Illinois’ 2024 list of Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois. In addition to the damage front steps outside the building, there are numerous issues needing to be addressed within the structure.
From the archives: The Decatur Masonic Temple
1951: Gordon R. Mitchell, left, a member of the Decatur Municipal band since 1912, and his son, Gordon C. Mitchell, right, talk with John A. Thompson, director, about the band's concert in the Masonic temple.
A portrait of A.E. Staley overlooks the Staley Lounge in the Decatur Masonic Temple. He donated to the building's construction.
JIM BOWLING, HERALD & REVIEW The Staley Lounge includes a portrait of A.E. Staley Sr. inside the Decatur Masonic Temple. A.E. Staley Sr. was the largest individual donor for the construction of the temple in 1929.
1930: The first meeting of DeMolay International at the Masonic Temple, Decatur. DeMolay International is a fraternal organization for young men ages 12 to 21. It was named for Jacques de Molay, the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar.
1958: Nancy Nottelmann. second from left, of Warrensburg was crowned Miss Decatur last night in a beauty pageant at the Masonic Temple
Kim Barding, right, stands on the stage of the Decatur Masonic Temple's auditorium. The auditorium can seat approximately 800 people and is a popular venue for weddings and music events.
Jim Chumbley shows one of the plates in the dish room of the Decatur Masonic Temple. The temple's dish room stores thousands of dishware, each individually showing a Masonic symbol.
Job's Daughters adult adviser, Mindy Oakley, left, and Jim Chumbley, right, in the kitchen of the Decatur Masonic temple. The large kitchen, as well as the rest of the temple, is being brought renovated to meet the standards of renters as well as maintain its original styling.
Thousands of dishes fill a room the Decatur Masonic Lodge constructed in the 1920s. The building once had numerous events throughout the year.
Volunteer Jim Chumbley stands in the Decatur Masonic Temple. A group of about 10 help out keeping the historic building functioning.
Jim Chumbley stands in the Gold Room of the Decatur Masonic Temple. The gold room, named for its gold ornamentation, is commonly used as the bride's room for weddings hosted at the temple.
The large auditorium in the Decatur Masonic Temple can seat approximately 800 people and is a popular venue for weddings and music events.
Recent water damage affects the paint on the walls of the Decatur Masonic Temple. Recent renovations by local Masons and contracted workers have improved a majority of the temple and will continue with the goal to meet the standards of renters and clients renting space within the temple.
The Decatur Underground Theatre rehearses on Thursday in one of the spaces at the Decatur Masonic Temple. Organizations looking for rehearsal space and venues for events will rent out a location within the extensive array of rooms in the temple.
H&R file photo 5-13-1954 A capacity crowd of some 700 citizens, civic leaders and visiting dignitaries filled the Masonic Temple dining room for last night's Wabash Cnetennial dinner, believed to be the largest such affair ever held here. Fifty were seated at the long speakers' table. Toastmster A.E. Staley Jr., president of the A.E. Staley Mfg. Company, (center at mike_ was introducing speaker James C. Worthy, U.S. assistant secretary of commerce (right of Staley) when this picture was taken.
Contact Donnette Beckett at (217) 421-6983. Follow her on Twitter: @donnettebHR
Donnette Beckett
"Together Decatur" Columnist and Food/Drink Reporter
