History of Salem Scottish Rite

Records establish the fact that the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite was active in Salem as early as 1870. For reasons unknown, this group was dissolved sometime between 1875 and 1880.

In the spring of 1922, four Scottish Rite Masons called a meeting of members of the Rite in Salem to consider plans for the observation of Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday ceremonies. These were solemnized by a Thursday evening banquet at the Marion Hotel and an Easter Sunday meeting at the Masonic Temple. A few months later, the same group met to consider regular meetings and on November 13, 1922, the Salem Rose Croix club was organized.

To prosecute a vigorous membership campaign, five vice presidents were elected (one each from Salem, Silverton, Dallas, Woodburn and Independence). In January of 1923 the club banqueted with Scottish Rite members of the Legislature at the Spa Restaurant. The membership campaign continued throughout the following summer with a series of box lunch picnics. At a meeting of the club on December 3, 1924, attended by Illustrious Brother Phillip S. Malcolm, Sovereign Grand Inspector General in Oregon, prerequi-sites for a Lodge of Perfection were outlined.

The club prospered and, in 1927, directors were authorized to purchase equipment and paraphernalia. Continued activity of degree conferrals, practices and dinners marked the years 1928 and 1929. In November 1929, Illustrious Brother Gaylord Clark, Sovereign Grand Inspector General for Oregon, was requested to establish the Salem Lodge of Perfection. In January 1930, formal petition for Letters Temporary were prepared and on February 20, 1930, these were granted.

The Salem Rose Croix Club was therefore dissolved after a successful existence of over seven years. Its 65 members, and 19 others, became charter members of the new Salem Lodge of Perfection to which all properties and mo-neys were donated. Total financial assets of the Lodge were $162.12. By 1939 the assets had increased to $3,280 and the membership risen to 183. In this year, the Salem Chapter of Rose Criox were charted and meetings for both were held in the Masonic Temple at 495 State Street.

By 1945, interest in a new Masonic facility was stimulated by the great demand for use by these and other Masonic affiliated organizations. In 1948, when no action had been taken by the Symbolic Lodges, the Scottish Rite Lodge and Chapter decided to proceed alone. This resulted in the purchase of a lot, but a later committee decided the property was not satisfactory.

However, in the 500 block of South Commercial Street there was a property of nearly half a block on which stood a large uncompleted building involved in litigation. One of the members, after noticing a group inspecting the building, informed the officers of the Lodge that the building might be purchased. In 1950, a conference with the officers of the Trust company that held the building resulted in an option to buy. A committee immediately began securing pledges of money; labor and materials to purchase and rebuild. It would be impossible to evaluate the hours and days of labor given by number-less volunteers, working along with professionals, toward the common goal of the new Temple. The first ceremonies were held in the new facility on May 31, 1951.

Since then, cash contributions by members purchased an electric organ and theater chairs for Jewett Memorial Hall. Costumes and equipment for the presentation of the degrees have been accumulated. Lighting fixtures for the stage and the entire building have been improved, microphones and speakers installed. Realization of the final goal was speeded by Masonic and affiliated bodies that make regular use of the building. The Blue Lodge, Order of the Eastern Star, Order of Amaranth, White Shrine of Jerusalem, Rainbow Girls, Jobs Daughters, DeMolay, and many others have all helped the make the Salem Scottish Rite Temple an outstanding Masonic facility.

Plans have been made and are now being implemented to increase the activities of this vigorous body of Free-masonry. By active participation in our labors and devotion to traditional Americanism, the membership becomes a weighty influence for the promotion of basic Masonic principles.

More information may be found at http://www.salemvalleyaasr.org.

Compiled by Virginia Green

Bibliography:
"An Introduction to the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Valley of Salem, Orient of Oregon" July, 1966.

Review by Scottish Rite secretary, Neal Lamphear., September, 2001