Greenville Masonic Temple to be rebuilt within historic brick walls
GREENVILLE — Site preparations began Sept. 30 for rebuilding Greenville’s Masonic Temple, preserving its four original brick walls and familiar exterior appearance.
E.W. Littlefield, Inc. & Sons began installing construction fencing, with interior demolition scheduled to begin during the week of Oct. 5.
The project follows nine months of insurance work, engineering and planning after the Dec. 15 fire. An insurance settlement now allows Columbia-Doric Lodge No. 149 to move ahead. The rebuilt temple’s roofline, windows and entrance will look very similar to those of the original building.
REBUILDING THE MASONIC TEMPLE — Construction fencing was installed at Greenville’s Masonic Temple on Sept. 30 as preparations begin for rebuilding after last December’s fire. The project will preserve the building’s four original brick walls.
“Keeping those four walls means a great deal to the lodge and to the community,” Luke Muzzy, lodge member and executive director of the Moosehead Historical Society, said. “We’re happy to tell people that the temple will be rebuilt and will still look very much like the building they remember.”
Approximately three weeks of interior demolition are planned, retaining the brick walls and existing steel beams. Crews will add steel supports where needed and construct new wood-framed walls inside the brick exterior.
Work will continue throughout the winter, with a new roof a priority to protect the building from the weather. It is too early to give a completion date.
The biggest change will be moving the kitchen and dining room from the basement to the first floor. Together with an accessible entrance ramp, this will make public breakfasts, dinners and gatherings easier to attend. The basement will become space for lodge members. The lodge room and associated rooms will remain upstairs, with the goal of restoring their familiar appearance.
The building will be energy efficient, meet applicable codes and include sprinklers.
The lodge extends particular thanks to fellow Mason Dwayne Littlefield, who has helped since day one and whose company will undertake the reconstruction, and Keith Hewing of Plymouth Engineering, also a Mason, for his engineering and planning work. Local members have contributed considerable time and effort, especially former lodge leaders Craig Watt and Sawyer Murray.
Arthur A. Crafts gave the temple to Columbia Lodge on June 21, 1929, his 61st birthday. It served generations of lodge members and became a familiar setting for community meals, gatherings and funeral services.
Insurance makes reconstruction possible, but it will not fully replace the craftsmanship, furnishings, regalia and other ceremonial items that distinguished the old temple. Restoring as much of that character as possible will require additional support.
Lodge members are developing a fundraising strategy, with efforts expected to continue after reopening. They hope members, friends and the community will help. Contribution details will be shared as plans take shape.