Scottish Rite Cathedral (Indianapolis)

Infobox_nrhp | name =Scottish Rite Cathedral
nrhp_type =

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caption = The Scottish Rite Cathedral
location= Indianapolis, Indiana
lat_degrees = 39
lat_minutes = 46
lat_seconds = 34.07
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 86
long_minutes = 9
long_seconds = 28.77
long_direction = W
locmapin = Indiana
area =
built =1927
architect= George F. Schreiber; Hunkin-Conkey Construction Co.
architecture= Neo-Gothic
added = June 06, 1983
governing_body = Private
refnum=83000136cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2007-01-23|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service] The Scottish Rite Cathedral is an historic building in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. It is owned by the Valley of Indianapolis Scottish Rite, an affiliated body of Freemasonry. It was built between 1927 and 1929. It was built with every measurement being evenly divisible by three (reflecting the three degrees in Freemasonry), with many being divisible by 33 (reflecting the degrees a member of the Scottish Rite can achieve). [ [http://www.indianapolismonthly.com/article.aspx?id=9912 The Da Indy Code - Indianapolis Monthly] ]

The Cathedral is the largest Masonic building, and considered by many [ [http://70.249.101.224/noted/LOM/lom04archive.html Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana - Landmark of the month 2004 archive] ] as the finest example of Neo-Gothic architecture, in the United States. The main tower features a 54-bell carillon and rises convert|212|ft|m above Indianapolis. [ [http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=118649 Scottish Rite Cathedral, Indianapolis] ] It also has a floating ballroom. [ [http://70.249.101.224/noted/LOM/lom04archive.html Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana - Landmark of the month 2004 archive] ] Other features are patterned ceilings, ornate carved woodwork, and artistic stained-glass windows. The auditorium has 1200 seats, and has been called a beautiful testimony to craftsmanship. [ [http://www.escocommunications.com/Projects.asp ESCO Communications - Projects - All ] ] It also has a large pipe organ.

The main entrance is known as the Tiler's Room, which is a perfect cube of convert|33|ft|m. It features both Masonic symbols and the signs of the Zodiac. [ [http://www.aasr-indy.org/buildingRental/Tiller.aspx Building Rental - The Tiller's Room ] ]

The ballroom again reflects the number 33 by being convert|99|ft|m square, pillars defining the dancing area as convert|66|ft|m square, and the white oak floor panels are convert|33|in|mm square. The chandelier has 200 lights and weighs 2500 pounds. The ballroom was done in Elizabethan architecture. [ [http://www.aasr-indy.org/buildingRental/Ballroom.aspx Building Rental - The Ballroom ] ]

The Indianapolis Business Journal in 1996 ran a poll that had the Cathedral as the most popular historic building in Indianapolis, and second-most favorite overall. The last few years it has seen 100,000 visitors a year. [ [http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-28437947_ITM Funds being raised to renovate cathedral. | Indianapolis Business Journal (September, 2000) ] ]

Guided tours are available on weekdays and the third Saturday of each month.

ee also

*Murat Centre

References

External links

* [http://www.aasr-indy.org/ Indianapolis Scottish Rite Homepage]