DUANE
Duane's take
Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'll do my best to do it justice. Scottish Rite Masonry in San Antonio goes back to 1912 — that's when the Sovereign Grand Inspector General of Texas granted the charter, and the organization took root. It grew slowly at first, the way most things worth keepin' tend to do.
Then World War I arrived, and with it came soldiers stationed in San Antonio, a good many of whom joined the ranks. The membership swelled. By 1919, the organization had its eyes on this very site, purchased it, and started drawing up plans for something serious.
Something lasting. Construction began in 1922, and two years later, at a cost of one and a half million dollars, the Cathedral was complete. June of 1924, they dedicated it — and South Texas Masonry had itself a home.
Now when you see this building, you understand why it became the center of Masonic activities for the whole region. Five and a half stories of classical revival architecture, standing there with an imposing gable front bay, eight Corinthian fluted columns, a terra cotta frieze, and a stepped central mass. It does not apologize for itself, I'll tell you that.
But the detail that stops people cold — and rightly so — are those bronze front doors. Noted artist Pompeo Coppini, born 1870, died 1957, executed them over a two-year period. Sculpted right into that bronze are figures of George Washington and Sam Houston, both of them members of the Masonic fraternity.
Think about that. You're walkin' through a doorway guarded by two of the most consequential men in the history of their respective nations. The Cathedral has been a San Antonio attraction since its construction, and in more recent years it has grown into something even broader — a center for the performing arts and other cultural activities.
The building kept expandin' its purpose, just like the organization that built it once expanded its membership, one soldier at a time.
What the marker says
Scottish Rite Masonry in San Antonio dates to 1912, when a charter was granted by the Soverign Grand Inspector General of Texas. The orgnization grew slowly until World War I, when many soldiers stationed in San Antonio became members. This site was purchased in 1919,and plans were made to erect a new temple. Construction began in 1922 on this structure. Completed two years later at a cost of $1.5 million, the Cathedral was dedicated in June 1924. It soon became the center of Masonic activities for South Texas. Features of the five-and-one-half story clasical revival temple include an imposing gable front bay, eight Corinthian fluted columns a terra cotta frieze on the primary temple building, and stepped central mass. The elaboarately sculpted bronze front doors, executed over two-year period by noted artist Pompeo Coppini (1870-1957), feature figures of George Washington and Sam Houston, both members of the Masonic fraternity. The Scottish Rite Cathedral has been a San Antonio attraction since its construction. In recent years it has become a center for the performing arts and other cultural activties. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1987