Temple Has Unique Oklahoma History

By Van Mitchell, Staff Writer
The Scottish Rite Temple located at 900 E. Oklahoma Avenue in Guthrie has served multiple functions in Oklahoma history, including as the first state capitol building, as a location for TV and film production and as a site used by Freemasonry for educational and gathering purposes.

On April 22, 1889, Harper Samuel Cunningham, 33°, made the Run of the Unassigned Lands which opened for settlement. He came to practice law in the newly opened Territory. And he came to establish the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in what would soon become Oklahoma.

Designed for the use and benefit of the Masonic Fraternity in Oklahoma, the original Temple was situated at the northeast corner of Harrison and Broad Streets in downtown Guthrie. It served the Masons well from 1899 to 1923.

The original building in this complex, now named the East Annex, was constructed in 1908 by the city of Guthrie and called Convention Hall. It was intended as the meeting place for the Oklahoma State Legislature. It was a rectangular brick structure with two two-story wings flanking a two-story atrium having a gallery promenade. A basement completed the internal space.

The East Annex was used for one regular session of the Legislature in 1909 and one special session in 1910.

After the Legislature agreed to move the state capital from Guthrie to Oklahoma City in 1910, the city of Guthrie offered to sell the Convention Hall complex, including Capitol Park, to the Scottish Rite Masons, who wanted to construct a temple in Guthrie.

A deal was concluded with the Parr & Hawk, an Oklahoma City architectural firm, to design the western building (designated as the Temple), and the James Stewart Construction Company began construction in May 1920. Construction of the Guthrie Scottish Rite Temple was completed in 1924, at which time the Masons occupied the building, though interior finishes were not finalized until 1929.

It was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1987.

The Scottish Rite is one of the most widely practiced rites within Freemasonry, comprising 33 degrees that build upon the ethical teachings of the first three degrees conferred in Blue Lodges. The Scottish Rite emphasizes moral and philosophical education, allowing members to deepen their understanding of Freemasonry and its values.

The Scottish Rite Temple is a significant Masonic building that serves as a center for the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, offering education, fellowship, and community service.

“We’re like a college-level class of the usual Masonry that you see in hometown lodges,” Masonic Rite Temple General Secretary Glen Chaney said. “We have a continuation of the same purpose, which is to take good men and make better men. We are a philosophy, not a religion. We require that our members be eligible, that they do believe in a god, a greater spirit. We do not dictate who that is or what that is. It must be a force of good that all humankind has a soul that is immortal. And past that, we leave religion to individuals. What we do is try to make this world better.”

Chaney said the Scottish Rite takes Masons through philosophical degrees and ceremonies and teaches lessons of moral and integrity through theatrical team performances.

“We in Guthrie are very proud because we are the mecca for this level of Masonic instruction,” Chaney said. “We have been the guiding light that other people come to see how we do it.”

Chaney said Masons come from across the country as well as far away as Brazil, Canada and Germany.

“We’re one of the few temples that do all 29 degrees. We do that once a year. That takes three days,” Chaney said. “We have theatrical teams for each of those degrees, and they come in and do that. We call that drinking from the fire hydrant of knowledge because it just knocks you down, overwhelms you.”

Chaney said each fall they do a two-day version of instruction, which encompasses 14 degrees.

Tim Heaton, Facilities Manager, said the Temple is large enough to house the Masons while in Guthrie.

“This building’s so huge that we just have the space,” he said.
Heaton said the housing includes 19 apartments plus other bed spaces throughout the Temple.

“They look like Warren and June Cleaver’s bedroom with an ensuite. Completed in 1952. They still look like 1952,” he said. “They’ve been featured in several movies.”

Heaton said they feed members on-site as well as eat at various Guthrie restaurants.

Heaton said public Temple tours take place Monday to Thursday at 10 a.m.
“People from every walk of life like to find out, want to come see this place,” he said. “We get a lot of Masons from around the country as well who know this place and it becomes a destination for them to come see.”

The Scottish Rite Temple in Guthrie has served as a filming location for several movies and TV shows, including the 2020 film “Reagan.”

“They (film crew) built the (replica) of the Oval Office here,” he said.
Heaton added that the Temple served as the backdrop of the White House for the “Reagan” movie, as well as scenes replicating a train station.

The Scottish Rite Temple has members that are Veterans, including Chaney an U.S. Army Veteran.

“A number of our members are Veterans,” he said. “Masonry is something that is appealing to Veterans. I have seen young men that came in and they didn’t know what they’re getting into and suddenly, it’s like the whole world is lit up and they could see so many avenues for thought, for service in the community, for just being a better person.”
Chaney said becoming a Mason was a defining moment in his life.
“This has been, for me, one of the most defining aspects of my life,” he said. “It’s made me look at the way I treat the world and try to do a little better.”

For more information about the Guthrie Scottish Rite Temple call (405)282-1281 or visit www.guthriescottishrite.org.