GSA Guide - Masonic Temple, Brisbane Claimed

A monumental grand hall in the Classical Revival style serves as headquarters for the Freemasons in Queensland. Its interiors, particularly the Grand Hall and the Urn of Remembrance, are renowned for their grandeur.

History: 

The Freemasonry movement, which dates from the 1850s in Queensland, amalgamated on 27th April, 1921 to form The United Grand Lodge of Queensland.

To commemorate the union, the Grand Lodge staged a competition to produce a design for a centrally located temple in Brisbane. Lange Powell, who was a Freemason himself, won the tender out of 16 entries. He designed a four-storey building with a basement for the caretaker and storerooms.

The ground floor holds the executive offices of the Grand Lodge of Queensland, a library and a museum. In the center of the large vestibule is the Urn of Remembrance to Brethen who died in World War I. The Grand Lodge Room on the top floor can seat 1100 people, grand in its time.

Built in the Classical Revival style, the facade features six fluted giant order Corinthian columns supporting a rich entablature and pediment constructed of Yangan sandstone (Formation: Marburg Subgroup) on a grey granite base. There are