Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Albert Pike Memorial Temple has served and continues to serve as the headquarters for the Masonic fraternity in Arkansas. The brainchild of Illustrious Brother Charles E. Rosenbaum, our beautiful Temple stands as a beacon of celebration for the Craft that has now stood for 95 years! Designed by architects George Mann and Eugene Stern, it was dedicated on May 12, 1924. Mann was considered the “dean of Arkansas architects” having designed several important Arkansas buildings, including the Arkansas State Capitol and the Arlington Hotel in Hot Springs. The building is a monumental three -story structure in the Neo-Classic Revival style, lined on its front facade are nineteen Greek Ionic columns that have stood the test of time, just as our fraternity has.
Many of our members will remember times, even recent times, when the future of our magnificent Temple was not so certain or secure. As we approach the Centennial Celebration of this great Masonic edifice we should also remember the admonishments from our Sovereign Grand Inspector General, Illustrious Brother James Graham, 33˚, PGM. Brother Graham told us that we were at a crossroads and it was time to dedicate ourselves to securing the future of the Albert Pike Memorial Temple for a Second Century. Brethren, we have been able to keep the Temple open and if you frequent the Temple much at all, you will notice mechanical and cosmetic improvements that are being completed for the first time in decades. The leadership of the Scottish Rite believes that this labor is worth it and we do not want the progress to stop.
So in the spirit of commitment for the future and to support our Temple going into its 100th anniversary, the Scottish Rite in the Orient of Arkansas would like to introduce a recognition program for our brethren and their families that make financial contributions to the Arkansas Scottish Rite Foundation for the purpose of Temple Preservation! For those of you that are familiar with the Enchanted Lantern Program of the Grottoes of North America and the Endow the Future Program of our Grand Lodge, this new program, the Arkansas Double Eagle, will be very similar with a few differences. For a $50 contribution to the Arkansas Scottish Rite Foundation, a Brother or their family will receive an Arkansas Double Eagle lapel pin pictured in this article. There is no limit to the number of contributions that can be made and each contribution will be tracked by the Orient Office and recognized by interchangeable fobs in increments of 5. All of the funds collected through this program will stay here in Arkansas and go towards the preservation of our Temple. Also, as an added benefit to our donors, any contribution made through this program is tax-deductible.
Through the combined efforts of each of us, much can be accomplished, and we will be successful if we each do our part. We thank you for your consideration and for your convenience, there is an Arkansas Double Eagle form on the last page of this newsletter. Please contact the Orient Office at 501.375.5587 or mitchellhensley@att.net if you have any questions.
This article was published in the February 2019 edition of the Voice of the Orient.
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