House of the Temple
In the heart of the nation's capital, stands one of the city's most beautiful monuments. It's been called a marvel of architecture, a wonder in stone, the spirit of the Scottish Rite captured for a moment in time.
The House of the Temple is a Masonic temple which serves as the headquarters of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A. It is located at the corner of 16th Street and S Street in the northwest section of the city. The Temple was modeled after the Mausoleum of Maussollos (a provincial king in the Persian Empire). Ground was broken on May 31, 1911 and the cornerstone was laid on October 18, 1911. The building was dedicated four years later on October 18, 1915. An alcove in the temple holds the remains of Confederate general and noted freemason Albert Pike.
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Bronze nine pointed star. Upon close examination there are three interlaced triangles.
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At the center of the temple stands an altar of black marble. Words are inscribed on the floor on all four sides - From the light of the Divine Word, the Logos, comes the wisdom of life and the goal of initiation.
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Center alter view of the House of the Temple. There are four books on the Alter; the Holy Bilble, The Jewish Tanuuk, the Koran, and the Biva Gita.
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The Grand Commander's Station. All the furniture is made of Russian Walnut from the trees that were burned from a meteor strike in Russia.
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A bronze door that goes out to the ledge of the building. *
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Bronze sculpted double-headed eagle spreads its wings in front of a red pyrimid.
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Southwestern view of the House of the Temple. The floor is polished marble mosaic, each laid by hand.
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Inscription above the Eastern entrance door of the Temple - WHOM TIS THE VIRTVE HATH JOINE DEATH WILL NOT SEPERATE - TIS THE MYSTIC TIE THAT MAKETH ALL MEN BRETHREN
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Upward Northern view of the Temple. Words are inscribed in a black marble frieze in bronze letters - FROM THE OUTER DARKNESS OF IGNORANCE THROUGH THE SHADOWS OF OUR EARTH LIFE, WINDS THE BEAUTIFUL PATH OF INITIATION UNTO THE DIVINE LIGHT OF THE HOLY ALTAR
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Upward view of the Skylight directly above the the Grand Temple alter. The skylight is supposed to represent the heavens.
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Bronze Double-Headed Eagle with the inscriptions - 33 - DEVS MEVMQVEJVS
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View of the Atrium from the Grand Staircase.
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The Grand Commander's sword and scepter.
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Executive Chamber
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Bronze crown over the chair of the Supreme Commander.
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