Filed Under Havre

Havre Masonic Temple

Havre Residential Historic District

The five-story Masonic Temple was Havre’s largest building at the time of its opening in 1916. Its solid massing follows a longstanding Masonic tradition of erecting lodges whose size and bulk symbolize the permanency and stability of masonry itself. The members of Havre Lodge #55, first organized in 1901, wanted a home that would provide space for ceremonial and social functions. They also saw the building as an investment in Havre. The Masons counted on rent from first-floor retail establishments and second- and third-floor offices to subsidize the lodge. They reserved the fourth and fifth stories for their ceremonial and social rooms, including a Lodge room, a large kitchen and dining area overlooking the Lodge, and a chapel. Local architect Frank Buossot incorporated the Egyptian Revival style in the entrance's monumental, tapered sandstone pilasters and winged frieze to reflect the Mason’s symbolic ties to ancient Egypt. An Egyptian motif decorates the fourth floor Lodge room as well. Diamond-patterned brick, Italianate style double brackets, and a Gothic Revival stained glass window in the Knights Templar chapel also add dignity to the building.

Images

Havre Masonic Temple
Havre Masonic Temple Historic black and white photo of Masonic Temple Date: ca. 1916
Havre Masonic Temple
Havre Masonic Temple View of facade Source: Montana State Historic Preservation Office Creator: Pete Brown, photographer Date: 2008
Havre Masonic Temple
Havre Masonic Temple View of masonry detail and roof brackets on third and fourth floors Source: Montana State Historic Preservation Office Creator: unknown photographer Date: 2018
Havre Masonic Temple
Havre Masonic Temple View of main entrance with Egyptian Revival motifs in stone and double wood doors with glass panels. Source: Montana State Historic Preservation Office, Helena, MT Creator: unknown photographer Date: 2018
Havre Masonic Temple
Havre Masonic Temple Side view along 3rd Ave. Source: Montana State Historic Preservation Office, Helena, MT Creator: unknown photographer Date: 2018
Havre Masonic Temple
Havre Masonic Temple Photo of building exterior. Source: Montana Historical Society Creator: Tom Ferris, Photographer Date: 27 September, 2021
Havre Masonic Temple
Havre Masonic Temple Photo of building entrance. Source: Montana Historical Society Creator: Tom Ferris, Photographer Date: 27 September, 2021
Havre Masonic Temple
Havre Masonic Temple Photo of building exterior details. Source: Montana Historical Society Creator: Tom Ferris, Photographer Date: 27 September, 2021

Location

305 3rd Ave, Havre, Montana | private

Metadata

“Havre Masonic Temple,” Historic Montana, accessed March 29, 2024, https://historicmt.org/items/show/3217.