The Time Capsule Contents of the Downtown Oklahoma City Masonic Temple

By T.S. Akers

 

The downtown Oklahoma City Masonic Temple.

(Courtesy of the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum)

By 1918, the nine Masonic orders that occupied Oklahoma City’s former Baptist White Temple found quarters there to be quite cramped. Total Masonic membership in the young city had grown to over 800 Masons. Together with the India Shrine Temple, a Masonic Temple Building Association was formed for the purpose of constructing a new Masonic temple in downtown Oklahoma City. Land was acquired at the corner of 6th and Robinson for the project and the architectural firm of Layton, Hicks, and Forsythe was chosen to design the new temple. Solomon Layton, of Layton, Hicks, and Forsythe, was also the architect responsible for the Oklahoma State Capitol, the Skirvin Hotel, and Bizzell Memorial Library at Norman. Construction began on the temple in 1921 and the cornerstone was laid on the 13^th of October, 1922. Completed in 1923, the neoclassical temple became the largest non-governmental building in downtown Oklahoma City. 

 

The Oklahoma City Masonic Temple during construction. 

(Courtesy of the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum)

When the cornerstone for the temple was laid, a time capsule was deposited inside to be opened by future generations. Unfortunately, the Masons of Oklahoma City were not able to keep their newly completed temple owing to financial troubles brought on by the Great Depression. However, the time capsule remained inside the cornerstone through several changes of ownership for the building. Today, the former temple is known as The Heritage and the building’s owner Bond Payne was kind enough to orchestrate an opening of the recently discovered time capsule on the 12^th of October, 2022.

The contents of the time capsule, the list of which is rather lengthy, were remarkably well preserved. Documents in the time capsule of note to Freemasonry in Oklahoma City included local histories of Ancient Craft Masonry, Capitular Masonry, Cryptic Masonry, Templary, and the India Shrine Temple. These documents provide interesting insights into early Freemasonry in Oklahoma City and are available in full below.

 

Ancient Craft Masonry in Oklahoma City

This document outlines the beginning of Freemasonry in Oklahoma City, as it commenced on the 23rd of September, 1889, at the corner of California and Broadway upon receipt of North Canadian Lodge's dispensation to operate. Also noted are the six homes of the lodge prior to the downtown Masonic temple. There is a complete listing of the Past Masters of Oklahoma City Lodge No. 36 (formerly North Canadian Lodge). Additionally, there are brief histories of Myrtle Lodge No. 145, Siloam Lodge No. 276, Amity Lodge No. 473, and Hiram Lodge No. 494.

 

Capitular Masonry in Oklahoma City

This document traces Cyrus Chapter No. 7 to its formation on the 18th of January, 1890. The first officers are noted, with DeForest D. Leach as the first High Priest. Growth in Capitular Masonry is indicated with the mention of the establishment of Oklahoma City Chapter No. 91 in 1922. Included is a listing of all the Past High Priests of Cyrus Chapter and the officers for 1922 of both Cyrus and Oklahoma City Chapters.

 

History of Alpha Council No. 18, Royal and Select Masters

This document notes the date of dispensation to form Alpha Council as being the 22nd of March, 1909. The first assembly is indicated as having occurred on the 24th of March, at which time seventeen candidates were received and greeted. The Past Illustrious Masters from formation are listed, as well as the officers for 1922.

 

Concerning the organization of Oklahoma Commandery No. 2 of Knights Templar

This document mentions the 17th of February, 1892, as being the date that sixteen Knights Templar from Oklahoma City petitioned the Grand Encampment to form a commandery and lists those Sir Knights. The first regular conclave was held on the 17th of March, 1892. Also listed are the names of the first petitioners for the Orders of Knighthood in Oklahoma City.  There is mention of the consolidation of the grand commanderies of the twin territories, which changed Oklahoma Commandery's assigned number to 3. The officers of Oklahoma Commandery No. 3 for 1922 are noted. Also included is mention of the formation of Bethlehem Commandery No. 45 at Oklahoma City in 1922 and the charter officers are listed.

 

History of India Temple A.A.O.N.M.S.

This document highlights the beginning of India Temple with its date of dispensation on the 3rd of May, 1893. It names the five of thirty-eight charter members who were Shriners before coming to Oklahoma City. The first ceremonial of India Shrine is indicated as having been held in the Knights of Pythias Hall at the northwest corner of Main and Robinson. India Temple then moved above the Western National Bank at Main and Broadway in 1902 before erecting its own temple at Broadway and Second in 1903.