119th Anniversary of the Cornerstone Dedication of the Portland Scottish Rite

At one-thirty o’clock pm on Thursday, June 12th, 1902, on the second day of the 52^nd Annual Communication of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Oregon, Most Worshipful Brother William E. Grace called the Grand Lodge from labor to refreshment, a Lodge of Entered Apprentices was opened in Ample form with the Grand Officers in position and procession was made, with the accompaniment of Oregon Knights Templar Commandery No. 1 and all totaled about 500 Masons to the northeast corner of an open field at the intersection of Morrison and Lownsdale street (now 15th Avenue).

There they dispensed with ceremonies to dedicate the Cornerstone of a soon-to-be stately Masonic edifice to be erected on the site and serve as the future home and first of its kind Cathedral style model of Scottish Rite Masonic buildings.

At the occasion, Ill. Brother William Fenton, 33º (then K.C.C.H.), provided the oration, its entirety is available in the Proceedings of the Grand Communication from 1902, provided here are some excerpts: “This is an epoch in ceremonial Masonry. It is also a day of reflection, re-examination of fundamental truths and consecration to new ideals. In the brief moment devoted to this service a mere outline of our thoughts can be expressed. This corner-stone is to perform a double purpose and to mark alike the foundation of a great temple builded of brick, mortar and the handiwork of man, and also an unseen house not made with hands, erected in the hearts and consciences of men, swift in purpose and sure of endeavor…  The Masonic lodge is a changing and mortal constituency. Its membership comes and passes out and into the Eternal. Its officers serve their terms and succeed each other, and each year, decade and cycle new men pass over the threshold and enter from the outer door. The temple of yesterday, last decade and of a former generation endures. This corner-stone looks young and new today, fresh from the hand of its craftsman—but it was made in the crucible of the world and will endure until the day ’in which the heavens shall pass away with great noise and the elements shall melt with fervent heat.’… This cathedral, builded by the hand of man, fashioned and adorned by the genius of his brain, will stand as a mute sentinel guarding the fame and glory of our noble order… Individuals, communities, states and nations pass away—their good deeds alone survive the defacing finger of Time. This cathedral shall outlive all that are now present, and into its open doors shall go the unnumbered brethren who follow us. It shall live as a memorial, a witness testifying of our sacrifice, our love and consecration.”

This June 12^th, 2021, marks the 119^th anniversary of the laying of our Temple’s Cornerstone by the Grand Lodge of Oregon; although we are unable to unite at this time for this recurrence it is hoped the Members of the Portland Valley will still celebrate its steadfast endurance and soon again resume labor in our historic temple.  If you are so inclined please consider donating to the Temple Preservation Foundation. All funds donated to the Portland Scottish Rite Temple Preservation Foundation go to support the Foundation’s stated mission: “To solicit and expend funds to protect, preserve, maintain, and restore the cultural and structural integrity of the Scottish Rite Masonic Temple in Portland, Oregon.” The funds donated to the Portland Scottish Rite Temple Preservation Foundation are not used for the day-to-day operations of the facility or fraternity.