Detroit's Masonic Temple (MI) (Images of America) [Paperback]

Alex Lundberg (Author), Greg Kowalski (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 18, 2006

The largest Masonic temple in the world, Detroit’s Masonic temple is a monumental structure with a rich and colorful history, befitting one of the most historic organizations in the world. Encompassing more than 1,000 rooms and more than a million square feet, the temple has served Masons since 1926 and provides a venue for many leading entertainers and theater productions. Its lodges, chapels, and ballrooms are masterpieces of architecture rich with the symbolism of Freemasonry, evident even in the smallest details. The temple stands as an artistic work of architecture and as the physical embodiment of the history, traditions, and symbolism of Freemasonry. What are the secrets of the craft? Just look; they are carved into the walls, inlaid in the marble floors, and depicted in woodcuts on every floor.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Alex Lundberg is an award-winning journalist who has worked in the metro Detroit area since 1992. The great-grandson and grandson of Freemasons, he was entered, passed, and raised as a member of Detroit Lodge No. 2, Free and Accepted Masons, in 2002. He lives in Detroit. Greg Kowalski is a journalist and local historian. He is the author of two books on the city of Hamtramck and coauthor of one on art deco in Detroit. He lives in Hamtramck.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing (September 18, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 073854034X
• ISBN-13: 978-0738540344
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,362,683 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A glorious past, a troubled future, November 25, 2006

By 

Christopher L. Hodapp "Author - "Freemaso... (Indianapolis, IN USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Detroit's Masonic Temple (MI) (Images of America) (Paperback)

Eighty years ago, the Freemasons of Detroit had a vision. They dreamed big and they built bigger, erecting the largest Masonic building in the world. Today, the Masons of Detroit seem to have lost their vision, or at least their ability to afford it. The Shriners and the Scottish Rite have both fled to the suburbs, and this magnificent building is in serious danger. A few individual lodges survive there.

Thankfully, the authors of this little volume have captured it on film before it is gone forever. The sheer scope of this 1000+ room building is incredible, and they have packed an enormous amount of history and detail into a brief telling of its glorious past.

If you are a Mason, it is worth trying to visit the Detroit Masonic Center soon. Unless a developer with as much vision as the Freemasons who first built it come to its rescue, it is in serious danger.

A tiny wish for some color shots of the more stunning rooms can be satisfied by hunting the Center's website.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Detroit Temple Mason, January 5, 2007

By 

Arthur F. Girard (Brownstown Twp, MI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Detroit's Masonic Temple (MI) (Images of America) (Paperback)

Fabulous array of photos however this book should have been edited by one who was a little more aware of Detroit Masonic History. I found a number of errorsin the text portions.