Celebrate Naperville’s Masonic Temple

2024 was the 175th anniversary of the founding of the Naperville Masonic Lodge.  Chartered in 1849, the Naperville Masonic Lodge is one of the oldest Masonic Lodges in Illinois and the oldest fraternal organization in Naperville.

In celebration of the anniversary, the Masonic Temple at 34 W. Jefferson Avenue was open to the public on Sunday, October 13, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  As a special treat, the George Washington Inaugural Bible will be on display.  This is the Bible that was sworn upon by George Washington when he took office as the first president of the United States on April 30, 1789.

The Lodge has also published a history, authored by Tim Ory, Historian, Euclid Lodge No. 65.  Titled 175 Years of Freemasonry, Naperville, Illinois, it includes photos and biographical sketches. Copies will be available for purchase at the event—a $10.00 minimum donation for the softcover edition and a $25.00 minimum donation for the hardcover edition.

The cornerstone of the Masonic Temple itself was laid in 1916.   Members of the Lodge have met on the 2nd floor since the opening in 1917, although the first floor has been home to a variety of businesses.  Some of you may remember the Naper Theatre, which was there from 1935 to 1977.  Now, the 1st floor is home to the Naperville Running Company.

The Masonic Temple is a truly historic building in our town.