Plaridel Masonic Temple

The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines
Plaridel Masonic Temple
Side View of the Building
Shown within Metro Manila
Basic information
Location	Ermita, Manila
Geographic coordinates	14°34′46″N 120°59′24″E / 14.579391°N 120.990136°E / 14.579391; 120.990136Coordinates: 14°34′46″N 120°59′24″E / 14.579391°N 120.990136°E / 14.579391; 120.990136
Completed	Originally built in 1914; Rebuilt in 1948 after World War II; Reconstructed in 2006

The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines, also known as Plaridel Masonic Temple, was founded on December 19, 1912 to assure permanency and promote the progress and efficiency of the legitimate and Ancient Craft Masonry in the Philippines.^[1] It was declared as a Historical Landmark in 1987 by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (formerly National Historical Institute). It is located at 1440 San Marcelino Street in Ermita, Manila.

History

Establishment of the Lodge

In 1912, three American Lodges owing allegiance to the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of California were already established in the Philippines. Those were Manila Lodge No. 342, Cavite Lodge No. 350 and Corregidor Lodge No. 386. The three lodges held a meeting on November 17, 1912 to fix a date for the First Convention of the delegates selected and to be selected for the purpose of considering the organization of a Grand Lodge.

Those who were present in the meeting were: Bros. Charles J. Kindler, Wor. Master, Guy Clinton, Sr. Warden and Charles S. Banks, Jr. Warden of Manila Lodge No. 342; Bros. Burton Whitecomb, Wor. Master and Emmanuel Valmas, P. M., of Cavite Lodge No. 50; and Bros. L. C. O’Donnel, Wor. Master J. F. Bromfield, Sr. Warden and George R. Harvey, P.M. of Corregidor Lodge No. 386.

The First Convention assembled at the Masonic Temple in Manila on the evening of December 11, 1912 . Bro. George R. Harvey, P. M., Corregidor Lodge No. 386 was unanimously elected Chairman of the Convention, and Bro. Charles S. Banks, S. W., Manila Lodge no. 342 was elected as Secretary. The Committee on Credentials composed of the Masters of the three Lodges unanimously found.

Soon, a Committee on Constitution was created to draft a Constitution. The Lodge of Master Masons was then opened for the purpose of organizing and opening in Ancient Masonic form, the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippine Islands.

The following brethren were appointed to fill the stations and places: Bro. George R. Harvey – Worshipful Master; Bro. Charles J. Kindler – Senior Warden; Bro. Burton Whitecomb – Junior Warden; Bro. Charles S. Banks – Secretary; Bro. Louis C. O’Donnel – Senior Deacon; Bro. Emmanuel Valmas – Junior Deacon; Bro. William E. Wichman – Tyler;

An election for Grand Lodge Officers was held and the officers were installed. The first Communication of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippine Islands was held in the Masonic Temple at 1:00 AM Thursday.^[1]

The Temple

Before the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines operated as a lodge for the Freemasons, it was a former clubhouse built for German migrants in 1914.

But during World War I, the clubhouse was leased to YMCA. In 1919, it was sold to the Plaridel Temple Association, an exclusive corporation of Masons. The Plaridel Masonic Temple property was handed to the Grand Lodge of the Philippines Islands in 1937 and had it improved a year after during the incumbency of Justice Jose Abad Santos, the Grandmaster.

During World War II, the temple was occupied by the Japanese soldiers and got burned during the battle for the liberation of Manila in 1945. It was rebuilt in 1948. Unfortunately in 2000, the temple, including the relics of Freemasonry in the Philippines, were destroyed by fire. It was reconstructed and the new building was formally inaugurated in 2006.^[2]

Gallery

• 
  Historical Marker
• 
  Centennial Gate Marker
• 
  Main Portal

References