A History of the Masonic Temple, 888 , Barry Mapes, F.O.C.F., R.P.C.T. York Pioneers & Historical Society, Toronto

Masonry or Freemasonry is primarily a fraternal organization that is found around the world. It is thought its roots were in the mediaeval guild of masons. You may have seen the Masons' symbol of a square and a set of compasses ­ tools that are used to teach lessons to the members. While little is known about the organization's early history ­ mainly because of the required vow of secrecy, we know that Masonry came to North America in 1730; Benjamin Franklin joined the following year. Later, other well­known North American members included U.S. President George Washington, and, in Canada, Prime Minister Sir John A. MacDonald. Note that membership is limited to those of fine character and of a charitable nature. If you are interested, you can find a long list of well­known Masons from all fields on the web.

The Masons hoped to find a new, inexpensive home in the downtown area of Toronto due to the risings costs of rent and leases. On May 28, 1906, after much discussion, the Masonic Temple Company was formed; its main purpose was to raise money, find, and purchase land for the construction of a new Masonic Temple that would be central for most Masons. Twelve thousand dollars eventually changed hands between the Company and Senator J. K. Kerr for the 138 ft x 81 ft property at the northwest corner of Yonge and Davenport. The only existing building on the property was the dilapidated Methodist Church (the Christian Workers Church) for which the Company had to pay an additional $350.

After much fundraising and loan arranging, construction began in November 1916; the architect was W.J. Sparling, a local from Toronto, and the cost was $220,864. The building in Italian Renaissance style was constructed with reinforced concrete and face in Don Valley rug or tapestry brick and grey Indiana stone. The roof was flat with a covering of Welsh promenade tile which was used due to its strength so that drill practice could take place on the rooftop. The cornerstone was laid on November 17, 1917 with the official opening held on January 1, 1918 in the presence of the Grand Master Most Worshipful William Wardrope.

Along with several Blue Lodge rooms, also built were Chapter and Scottish Rite rooms, kitchens, banquet hall, caretaker’s apartment and an auditorium with stage. The purpose of the banquet hall and auditorium was to bring in rental income to help offset the daily expenses of running the Temple. The auditorium was contracted out and given the name “Concert Hall” later being called the “Rock Pile.” It played a very important role in Toronto's music scene: Led Zepplin opened its first North American tour there, Lighthouse debuted there in 1969, and rehearsed there. Other singers and groups such as Frank Sinatra, , Smashing Pumpkins, the Pixies and many other bands/singers have performed on the Temple stage.

Up until the 1960’s, the Masonic Temple was running in the black and at its height the Temple could claim 27 Craft Lodges, 6 Chapters, 2 Preceptories, 2 Scottish Rites plus the Adoniram Council as tenants. In the mid 1960’s, other concert venues began to open and Masons left their Lodges there to join Lodges closer to their homes. Couple this with the deterioration, lack of regular upkeep and the rising costs of ownership, the financial situation for the Temple was heading into the red quickly. The beginning of the end came in November 1993 when the Toronto Dominion Bank forced the building to be put up for sale due to its debts owing. The end arrived in June 1994 when the Masonic Lodges were asked to remove their belongings.

The building was sold to CTV in 1998 and became home to the Mike Bullard show, “MTV Canada” and the “.”

In 1974, two important designations had been bestowed on the Old Temple Building. The first was the building being added to the City of Toronto’s Inventory of Heritage Properties and the second was that 888 Yonge Street was designated under the Ontario Heritage Act. Along with the designations for the outside of the building, there are some interior portions that have also been protected.

Toward the end of 2012, Bell Media, owner of CTV, announced that it was moving “MTV” to 299 Queen St. West and would probably be putting the building up for sale. The neighbourhood feared there could be more unwanted and unnecessary Yonge Street condos but hoped the heritage designation and heritage property status could help save this great old building from such an undignified ending.

Good news arrived when it was announced that Info­Tech from London, Ontario, bought the building for their Toronto offices and intended to hold a yearly rock concert. We look forward to the grand old Temple's new life.