Scottish Rite Cathedral (Indianapolis) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Scottish Rite Cathedral
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The Scottish Rite Cathedral
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 Location in Indianapolis
Location in Indianapolis
Location in Indiana
Location in the United States
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| Location | 650 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, Indiana |
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| Area | 1.8 acres (0.73 ha) |
| Built | 1927 |
| Built by | Hunkin-Conkey Construction Compa |
| Architect | George F. Schreiber |
| Architectural style | Tudor Gothic |
| NRHP reference No. | 83000136 |
| Added to NRHP | June 6, 1983 |
The Scottish Rite Cathedral in Indianapolis, Indiana, is a very old and important building. It was designed by an architect named George F. Schreiber. You can find it right in the middle of downtown Indianapolis. This building belongs to a group called the Valley of Indianapolis Scottish Rite. This group is part of Freemasonry, which is a fraternal organization.
The Cathedral was built between 1927 and 1929. It cost about $2.5 million to build back then. What's cool is that almost every measurement of the building, when measured in feet, can be divided evenly by three. Many measurements can even be divided by 33! This is special because it connects to the different levels, or "degrees," that members of the Scottish Rite can achieve.
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What Makes the Scottish Rite Cathedral Special?
The Scottish Rite Cathedral is one of the biggest Masonic buildings in the world. It's actually the largest building specifically for the Scottish Rite anywhere! People say it's one of the best examples of Neo-Gothic style in the United States. This means it looks like old European cathedrals.
The Singing Tower and Its Bells
The most noticeable part of the outside is the 'Singing Tower.' This tower stands 212 feet tall, which is like a 20-story building! Inside the tower, there's a special musical instrument called a carillon.
- The carillon has 54 bells.
- All these bells together weigh over 56,000 pounds.
- This makes it one of the biggest carillons in the United States.
At the very top of the tower, you can see 12 decorations that look like fleur-de-lis. These symbols point in all directions, showing that the Masonic group is worldwide.
Sculptures and Secret Meanings
Above the main entrance on the east side of the building, you'll see some carved figures. These sculptures show King Solomon of Israel and Hiram I King of Tyre. There are also three stonemasons from Solomon's Temple.
- These stonemasons are important in Masonic stories.
- They are said to have harmed King Solomon’s master builder.
Other stone carvings on the building show different parts of the Scottish Rite. The group's motto, “Spes Mea In Deo Est,” is also carved into the stone above the doors. This Latin phrase means "Our faith is in God."
Zodiac Signs and Universality
At the entrances on the east and south sides of the Cathedral, there are large bronze circles set into the marble floors. These circles are beautifully decorated.
- They show the 12 signs of the zodiac.
- They also show the four main levels of the Scottish Rite.
Together, these designs mean that the Masonic group is open to everyone, all around the world. The main entrance room is called the Tiler's Room. It's a perfect cube, measuring 33-foot (10 m) on each side.
Beautiful Stained Glass Windows
Inside the Cathedral, there are more than 100 'stained glass' windows. These windows are actually made of painted glass. They show many different things:
- They show the first three levels of Masonry.
- They show the different levels of the Scottish Rite.
- They show symbols from another Masonic group called York Rite Freemasonry.
- You can also see images of art, science, and even technology from the 1920s, when the building was made.
Exploring Inside the Cathedral
The Scottish Rite Cathedral has many interesting rooms, each with its own special features.
The Ballroom: A Dancing Dream
The ballroom in the Cathedral has a special type of floor called a floating floor. This means the whole floor rests on soft felt cushions. This kind of floor is also known as a sprung floor. It makes the floor a bit bouncy, which is great for dancers' feet!
- The ballroom is 99 feet (30 m) square.
- Pillars inside define the dancing area as 66 ft (20 m) square.
- Even the white oak floor panels are 33 in (840 mm) square.
- The chandelier in the ballroom has 200 lights.
- It weighs 2,500 lb (1,100 kg), which is very heavy!
The ballroom was designed in an Elizabethan style, which is a classic English look.
The Theater: A Stage for Stories
The theater stage has more than 50 hand-painted backgrounds. These are used for the 29 different presentations of the Scottish Rite. These backgrounds are moved using 12 miles of rope!
- The stage opening is 38 feet wide and 28 feet high.
- The theater's style is called Cathedral Gothic, like old churches.
- It was designed to look like parts of the famous Cologne Cathedral.
The wood in the theater is Russian curly oak. The wall panels have Gothic designs. They are darker near the floor and get lighter towards the ceiling. This design shows how Scottish Rite teachings help members learn and grow. The carvings on the wood were made by the sons of Anton Lang, a famous actor. There are also four large cherubs (angel-like figures) on each side of the theater. Two more are on either side of the stage. They hold plaques that remind people of important rules. About 1,100 people can sit in the theater, and another 200 can sit on chairs in the front area.
Visiting the Cathedral
The Scottish Rite Cathedral is a popular place to visit. In 1996, a local newspaper found it was the most popular historic building in Indianapolis. It was even the second favorite building of any kind! About 100,000 people visit it every year.
Music and Tours
The Valley of Indianapolis is the only Scottish Rite group in the country that has its own orchestra. It's called the Scottish Rite Orchestra. It was started in 1946 by Fabien Sevitzky, who was the conductor of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra at the time.
Indiana's Scottish Rite Masons are part of a larger group called the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. The Cathedral is one of three important Masonic buildings in downtown Indianapolis. The others are the Indianapolis Masonic Temple and the Murat Shrine Center.
You can visit the Double Eagle Cafe downstairs for lunch on weekdays. If you want to learn more, guided tours of the Cathedral are available. You can take a tour Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Images for kids
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View from south
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The Cathedral from the east
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The Cathedral from the War Memorial Plaza
