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Freemasons Hall – Chennai
Among the various forts, mansions & buildings which the British built in the historic city of Madras, the Freemasons Hall makes a fine entrant in the list. The foundation stone was laid on the 26th of February 1923, by then Governor of Madras, Lord Willingdon.
The history of Freemasonry in Madras City is more or less the history of the Lodge of Perfect Unanimity, being the oldest surviving Lodge in the region. Our ancient Brethren being operative Masons is one of the reasons, perhaps, for modern Freemasons always aspiring to possess a building of their own. The Lodge of Perfect Unanimity had several homes in the city, but eventually settled in the building on the Mount Road. Other Lodges which were founded from time to time in the city met in rented buildings in Vepery. The District Grand Lodge as such had no home of its own. As years passed, it was felt that a central home for the Freemasons of the district was necessary and the Lodges working in the Madras City decided that, if the District Grand Lodge acquired a building, they would occupy it for their meetings and pay rent. And thus was born the idea of developing the Freemasons Hall that stands today on Ethiraj Salai, Chennai.
The Freemasons Hall, headquarters of the District Grand Lodge of Madras, sits on the land purchased by the District Grand Lodge in 1917, with the Cooum River on the western boundary. This masonic building is a double-story mansion, with three temples. The large lodge room can accommodate up to 200 people, while the small lodge rooms on the first & ground floor are capable of accommodating 60 people at a time and is meant for holding Masonic meetings. On entering the building, you are welcomed by the grand winding staircase, in an anti-clockwise direction, made of Sholingar stones, & wrought iron, leading to the 2nd Storey. This is a traditional feature one finds in most Masonic Buildings across the world.
