Antient York Lodge No. 80 Temple (former)
124 Bell Street, Coburg VIC 3058 - Property No 29607
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Statement of Significance
The former Antient York Lodge No. 80 Temple at 124 Bell Street, Coburg.
How is it significant?
The former Antient York Lodge No. 80 Temple at 124 Bell Street, Coburg is of local historic and aesthetic significance to the City of Moreland.
Why is it significant?
Of historic significance, as the first Masonic temple to be constructed in Coburg and the first permanent home of the Antient York Lodge which formed in Melbourne in 1879. Also, as a meeting place for the Coburg and wider Masonic communities from 1911 to 1986, and for its strong connections with the Coburg Council, and particularly with the leaders of the Council who were shaping local policy whilst members and leaders of the Lodge. It demonstrates the important and influential role that masonic lodges played in the development of communities until the immediate post-war period and the strength of masonism in Coburg particularly.
Of aesthetic significance, as an intact representative example of an interwar Masonic Temple in the stripped classical style typical of these buildings, which is notable for unusual design detail such as the portico.
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Antient York Lodge No. 80 Temple (former) - Physical Description 1
The Antient York Lodge No. 80 Temple (Former) is a two storey (plus an attic storey) brick and render building with a gabled corrugated iron roof behind a high parapet. The temple was single storey when first erected in 1914 but was extended in 1920, and a second storey put on in 1929.
The symmetrically arranged facade employs stylised classical detailing including an unconventional order of columns, with balls set atop iconic capitals 'supporting' an arch which 'floats' above the balls; stylised rusricated piers with a symbolic relief 'capital'; stylised 'empty' entablature to the ground floor and an entablature of squares and rectangles to the upper floor. A relief pediment protrudes from the parapet. Steps lead up to the double four panel unpainted timber front doors. The ground floor windows in the facade are high-set, typical of Masonic Lodges, to ensure privacy. Windows are double hung sash, the ground floor windows with multi pane uppers. The exterior of building is adorned by a number of presumably Masonic symbols, the meaning of which require further assessment.
According to lodge member Maurie Brady, internally on going through the front door you pass between a meeting room on the left and toilets and stairs on the right to enter the hall. At the far end there is a kitchen. After ascending the stairs near the street entry you are in an assembly area immediately above the ground floor meeting room and toilets. From this area you can access the Lodge Meeting Room or Temple.Antient York Lodge No. 80 Temple (former) - Physical Conditions
Good
Antient York Lodge No. 80 Temple (former) - Integrity
Minor Modifications
Heritage Study and Grading
Moreland - City of Coburg Heritage Conservation & Streetscape Study
Author: Timothy Hubbard Pty Ltd
Year: 1991
Grading: LocalMoreland - Moreland City Council: Local Heritage Places Review
Author: Context Pty Ltd
Year: 2004
Grading:
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INFANT BUILDING AND SHELTER SHED, PRIMARY SCHOOL NO.484Victorian Heritage Register H1709
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COTTAGEVictorian Heritage Register H0689
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BRIDGEVictorian Heritage Register H1446
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