Audubon-Parkside Lodge #218
Free & Accepted Masons
Audubon Masonic Temple
The Highland Theater era
The structure that is known today as the Audubon Masonic temple has stood for well over 100 years, being built in the early 1900's. It was originally known as the Highland theater, then renamed to the "New" Highland theater in the mid 30's.
1952 Construction of the Temple
The New Highland Theater closed down and then became the new home of Audubon Lodge. In 1952, the brothers of the lodge began construction on the theater to convert it into a Masonic temple. Much of the original architecture including fixtures can still be found in the building today. For example, we still use the old theater lightning in our ceremonies!
From Theater to Masonic Temple
While not much had changed from the transformation of the Highland theater to Audubon Masonic temple in 1952, of the edifice was a busy and active one. For decades after the temple opened, it housed many Masonic bodies. Multiple lodges, Chapters of Royal Arch Masons, Councils of Royal & Select Masters, Commanderies of Knights Templar, Orders of the Eastern Star, and various non Masonic organizations such as the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Adult Day Centers, and more using the building for charitable efforts. The Masonic temple saw many changes in the world from wars to the rise and fall of foreign regimes, but the Masons who occupied it remained.
The Next Chapter
In June of 2023, the Brethren decided to form a committee over the summer to determine whether or not it was viable to stay in our long time home. In September, the Brethren, with the report of the committee, decided to sell Audubon Masonic Temple and become a tenant in another Masonic temple. The decision was not made easily. However, the Brothers felt that even though Audubon-Parkside was getting stronger with younger, newer and committed members, the size of the lodge no longer was viable for such a large, expansive, and expensive building, and the process to sell the temple which we called home since the early 1950's began. On January 19, 2024, the closing gavel for Audubon-Parkside lodge #218 sounded for the final time at the Audubon Masonic Temple. Many memories were made in that magnificent edifice, but everything has its season. We were first made to be Masons in our hearts, and our duty is to carry the torch for the next generation of Masons. Our goal was to prepare our Lodge for the Brothers who have yet to knock on our door by taking away the necessity for them to be building superintendents and instead allow them to focus on Faith, Hope and Charity. they