Masonic Lodge- Euroka Morning Star Lodge, 10 Skene Street, STAWELL
10 Skene Street STAWELL, NORTHERN GRAMPIANS SHIRE
-
Add to tour
You must log in to do that.
-
Share
-
Shortlist place
You must log in to do that.
- Download report
Statement of Significance
The Euroka Morning Star Masonic Temple at 10 Skene Street, Stawell makes a significant architectural and visual contribution to the predominantly late 19th and early 20th century residential area. The Temple also has significance as an intact and unusual example of an interwar eclectic Greek Revival style. Built in 1926 for the Euroka Morning Star Lodge, the building appears to be in good condition when viewed from the street.
The Euroka Morning Star Masonic Temple at 10 Skene Street is architecturally significant at a LOCAL level. It demonstrates original design qualities of an interwar eclectic Greek Revival style. These qualities include the substantial streamlined temple front with the projecting rendered portico supported by paired, square and round Tuscan columns and pilasters. Other intact or appropriate qualities include the side wing of similar design and construction, plain entablatures, solid parapets, large plain temple front pediment, rendered plinths, central double door opening under the portico with four panelled double doors and rendered moulded architraves, timber framed 8 paned and double hung windows, rendered window sills and rectangular brackets, face brick wall construction, single storey height, and the gable roof form behind the main temple front.
The Euroka Morning Star Masonic Temple at 10 Skene Street is historically significant at a LOCAL level. It is associated with the development of Freemasonry in Stawell from 1926. In particular, the building has associations with the Euroka Morning Star Masonic Lodge, which was established in 1903 upon the amalgamation of the former Euroka and Morning Star Lodges that had formed in Stawell in 1861 and 1883 respectively.
The Euroka Morning Star Masonic Temple at 10 Skene Street is socially significant at a LOCAL level. It is recognised and valued by sections of the Stawell community for cultural reasons.
Overall, the Euroka Morning Star Masonic Temple at 10 Skene Street is of LOCAL significance.
-
-
Masonic Lodge- Euroka Morning Star Lodge, 10 Skene Street, STAWELL - Physical Conditions
The Masonic Temple, 10 Skene Street, Stawell, is set in a predominantly intact residential streetscape with visual connections to late 19th and early 20th century Victorian, Edwardian/Federation and interwar Bungalow styled houses with well-landscape gardens. This building has a modest front setback defined by an open area of grass, concrete paving and scoria ground cover.
The single storey, face brick, interwar eclectic Greek Revival styled Masonic Temple is characterised by a substantial streamlined temple front with a projecting rendered portico supported by paired, square and round Tuscan columns and pilasters. Above the columns is a plain entablature surmounted by a solid parapet/balustrade with the signage "Masonic Temple". The temple front terminates at the corners by rendered Ionic pilasters, with a plain rendered entablature and pediment above. There is also a rendered plinth along the base at the front. The building is accessed by a central double door opening under the portico, which has four panelled double doors and rendered moulded architraves.
To one side of the main temple building is a slightly recessed wing that may be a later addition. It has face brick wall construction with tapered Doric pilasters forming narrow bays at the ends. Between the pilasters are early 8 paned timber framed windows within rendered sills and rectangular window brackets. The pilasters support a large plain entablature that is surmounted by a projecting moulded cornice and solid parapet above.
Along one side of this wing are early timber framed double hung windows. Towards the rear appears to be a later skillion side addition.
Both the temple front and the side wing are adorned with the Masonic symbol comprising a compass and square (set square). Prof. James Stevens Curl in The Art and Architecture of Freemasonry provides details on the Masonic symbology of the compass and square:
"Compasses: A symbol of the sun, (like the pyramid), and an architectural and Masonic implement. Virtue, the measure of life and conduct, the additional light to instruct in duty and keep passions within bounds."
"Square: An angle of ninety degrees which enables great exactness in building to be achieved. It is also a symbol of moral probity, and is one of the Three Great Lights. Masons meet 'on the Square', with a moral meaning (to act honourably) enhanced by the chequerboard patterns of floors."
Heritage Study and Grading
Northern Grampians - Shire of Northern Grampians - Stage 2 Heritage Study
Author: Wendy Jacobs, Vicki Johnson, David Rowe, Phil Taylor
Year: 2004
Grading: Local
-
-
-
-
-
HILL PIPE ORGAN - ST PETER'S LUTHERAN CHURCHVictorian Heritage Register H2177
-
CENTRAL PARKVictorian Heritage Register H2284
-
COMMONWEALTH MEMORIALVictorian Heritage Register H1943
-
-