The Centralia Masonic Temple has reached the century mark.
Since the Masonic Organization still owns the building and Freemasons continue to meet in the third-floor Lodge Room, Washington Freemason Grand Master MW Cameron Bailey will rededicate the cornerstone of the temple at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 14, as a centennial celebration.
The Centralia Masonic Temple is located at North Pearl and Magnolia streets in the historic district of Centralia.
The ceremony will take place by the temple’s Magnolia Street entrance. That section of Magnolia will be closed to traffic for the event.
“The laying of the cornerstone is an enduring American tradition,” said local Lodge Master Bill Scarbrough in a press release. “It originated with Benjamin Franklin’s dedication of the Pennsylvania State House. Perhaps the most famous of all was when George Washington laid the cornerstone for the U.S. Capitol Building. The ceremony is still performed at public buildings throughout the country, including many in Washington state.”
The building’s cornerstone was first dedicated on July 7, 1922, by Grand Master James McCormack.
The public is invited to attend as the building will be open for tours and refreshments following the ceremony. Contact Scarbrough at 360-388-5528 or email dandbscarbro@comcast.net for more information.
