scottish rite cathedral tours

What You Need To Know About The Scottish Rite Cathedral Before You Go

Scottish Rite Cathedral has been voted as one of the most breathtaking buildings in Indianapolis, making it the perfect space to host unforgettable events.

The Neo-Gothic Scottish Rite Cathedral continues to be used as a go-to events space to this day by the Freemason community. Thanks to its impressive collection of stained glass windows and the pièce de résistance, the ‘Singing Tower’ which rises 212 feet into the sky, it ranks as one of the most popular buildings in the city.

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Background on the Scottish Rite Cathedral

Built between 1927 and 1929 to provide the local Freemason community with a venue to host their meetings and ceremonies, the Scottish Rite is a true architectural gem.

The 95-year-old building was designed by George F. Schreiber, featuring an impressive tower, covered in 12 fleur-de-lis symbols which symbolize the universality of the Masonic world, and over 100 stained glass windows that contributed to the inclusion of the cathedral to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

What can you do at Scottish Rite Cathedral?

The historic Scottish Rite Cathedral is best known for its elegant wedding receptions . In the past few years, it’s welcomed around 100,000 visitors through its doors, who can take a guided tour around the Cathedral. Besides marveling at its beauty, thousands of twinkling candles will be lighting up this Indianapolis landmark to provide the enchanting setting for this series of Candlelight concerts .

Is there parking?

You can park your car at the West Parking Lot , which you’ll find at the West Entry of the building. Members and guests visiting the Cathedral for lunch or a scheduled event don’t need to pay any charge.

Can you tour the Scottish Rite?

For a $10 entry fee , you can tour the Cathedral Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. Children are also welcome to visit the venue for a $5 admission fee.

Is there a café?

Stop by and indulge in a hot cup of coffee at their Double Eagle Café  and discover all the facts and tales that one of the largest Masonic buildings in the world has to offer.

Located just a stone’s throw from American Legion Mall in downtown Indianapolis, you can get the 2, 5, 10 or 39 buses to get here and it’s just a 20-minute walk from the Indianapolis Union Station. Hotels near the Scottish Rite include The Sheraton (0,5 mile), Residence Inn on the Canal (0.6 mile) and Hilton Garden Inn Indianapolis Downtown (0,6 mile).

Scottish Rite Cathedral is one of the many fabulous architectural triumphs of downtown Indianapolis, many of which are also Candlelight venues . They make for perfect backdrops to classical tributes celebrating iconic artists in an electrifying setting.

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Scottish Rite Cathedral

The Scottish Rite Cathedral is the headquarters for the Scottish Rite Valley of Indianapolis, a Masonic organization. The structure, the largest Scottish Rite cathedral in the world, faces the green space on the northern end of the Indiana World War Memorial Plaza .

Designed by architect-member George F. Schreiber in 1926—a time of major membership growth for the organization—Scottish Rite Cathedral was completed in 1929 at a cost of $2.5 million. The Matthews Brothers Stone Company in Bloomington filled 120 semitrailer trucks with the cut and carved limestone used to construct the building.

Schreiber, who was a Mason, laid out the entire building in either measurements of 33 or multiples of 33 feet, symbolizing the 33 years of Christ’s life. The building is 330 feet long and 120 feet wide. As Masons trace their heritage to guild organizations of stoneworkers who built the cathedrals of Europe, Schreiber laid out a nave, crossing tower, and choir, which refer to English examples of the architectural form and harken back to the organization’s origins.

The most spectacular exterior feature is the Gothic tower that rises 212 feet above the sidewalk level on the front of the cathedral and which houses a carillon of 54 bells, one of the largest carillons in the United States. All structures but the tower pay deference to the World War Memorial.

The Tiler’s room (a Master Mason who traditionally guarded the door of Masonic meeting halls) serves as the main entrance of the building. Upon entering, one finds a polished marble floor set with a bronze centerpiece depicting the signs of the Zodiac and the emblems of four principal degrees of the Scottish Rite. The chandelier overhead is cast bronze, centered in a room that is a perfect 33-foot cube. The main lobby, 66 feet square, also has a marble floor with walls and beams of white oak. The ceiling is hand-painted plaster. For most of the building’s history, the Tiler’s Room was the only portion of the cathedral that was open to the public. The working offices and the Lodge of Perfection room, where members attend the Masonic rituals of ascending in rank from the 4 th  to the 14 th  degrees, are north of the lobby. (Each degree represents a year in Christ’s life, 33 degrees being the highest level a Mason can attain.)

A lounge, 99 feet long, is to the south. A library adjacent to the lounge is an octagon 33 feet in diameter, walled with white oak bookcases. West of the lobby is a grand staircase, 33 feet wide, leading up to the ballroom and down to the dining hall. The eight art glass windows on the east wall are dedicated to medicine, law, music, painting, sculpture, electricity, engineering, and education, while those on the west wall represent several degrees of the Scottish Rite.

On the second floor is a ballroom, famous for its “floating floor” that is laid on springs and felt for resilience. It is two stories high, with a balcony running around three sides. A central crystal chandelier, suspended on a winch for lowering, has 187 incandescent bulbs and weighs 2,500 pounds. The ballroom was featured in Eight Men Out , a 1988 film based on the Major Baseball League Black Sox Scandal, which took place during the 1919 World Series.

At the north end of the second floor is an auditorium with 1,100 permanent seats and an arena 33 feet square. The walls are paneled with curly Russian white oak, with a vaulted, double hammer-beamed ceiling.

The Scottish Rite Cathedral is the only Scottish Rite Valley meeting hall in the nation to have an orchestra in residence. Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra conductor, Fabien Sevitzky , a 33 rd  degree Mason, founded the Scottish Rite Orchestra in 1946.

Scottish Rite Cathedral was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 and underwent massive renovation and restoration in 1995. The building also is used as a venue for weddings, theatrical performances, and other events.

It has played host to the Indianapolis International Violin Competition awards program, the NFL Alumni Association Player of the Year Awards, and Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra classical Christmas concerts.

Scottish Rite Cathedral is open Tuesday through Friday for tours, and guests may visit the cathedral’s Double Eagle Cafe, named for the ancient symbol that Scottish Rite Masons use as their emblem. It is one of three major Masonic historic landmarks in Indianapolis that include Indiana Freemasons Hall and Old National Centre , originally known as Murat Temple.

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Scottish Rite Cathedral

The Scottish Rite Cathedral in downtown Indianapolis is a remarkable architectural masterpiece. Its intricate Neo-Gothic design, awe-inspiring Singing Tower, and captivating stained glass windows are truly impressive. This venue offers a rich history and captivating beauty, making it a must-see for anyone interested in Freemasonry.

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Directions to scottish rite cathedral.

650 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis

Scottish Rite Cathedral images

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Scottish Rite Cathedral

Type: Architecture , Cultural Venues , Sightseeing

Last updated on June 29, 2015

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650 N Meridian St Indianapolis, IN 46204

317-262-3100

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Scottish Rite Cathedral

Category Museum Memorial & Historic Site

650 North Meridian Street Indianapolis, IN 46204 (317) 262-3100

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The Cathedral is home to the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, the worlds oldest and largest fraternity. Not only does this Cathedral host events for its members but it also hosts exciting events for the local community as well, visit their website to schedule an appointment!

Upcoming Events

• Candlelight: A Tribute to Queen and More Thursday, Sep 26, 2024    6:30pm - 7:45pm

• Scottish Rite Center for the Performing Arts 650 N. Meridian St. (36 feet NE)
• Vietnam and Korean Wars Memorial American Legion Mall (358 feet NE)
• World War II Memorial American Legion Mall (358 feet NE)
• American Legion Mall 500-600 North Meridian Street (465 feet NE)
• Browning Day Mullins Dierdorf Architects 626 North Illinois Street (513 feet W)
• Lift Lab Co 500 N Meridian St (515 feet SW)
• Auto Vault 705 North Illinois Street (536 feet NW)
• The American Legion Magazine 700 N. Pennsylvania St. (618 feet NE)
• Health Care Education & Training 445 North Pennsylvania Street (974 feet SE)
• Indianapolis Public Schools 120 East Walnut Street (1011 feet NE)
• The Mind Trust 407 North Meridian Street (0.2 miles S)
• Paramount Schools Of Excellence 350 Massachusetts Avenue (0.3 miles SE)
• Scottish Rite West Lot 650 North Meridian Street (adjacent)
• Scottish Rite North Lot 710 North Meridian Street (310 feet N)
• Browning Day Mullins & Dierdorf 626 North Illinois Street (513 feet W)
• Glencoe Apartments Lot 627 North Pennsylvania Street (566 feet E)

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Scottish Rite Cathedral

Scottish Rite Cathedral, 1929

650 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis IN 46204

Architect/Designer: George F. Schreiber

Description:

The Scottish Rite Cathedral is a four story rectangular structure with a centrally located square tower. The main façade is symmetrical with the main entry located in a central pavilion. The entry features a pointed-arch opening that is flanked by wall buttresses. The wings on either side of the entry have five bays each separated by wall buttresses, the windows throughout the structure vary in shape and size. At each corner of the Cathedral is a four story tower. The dominant feature of the building, the 210′ tower, sits just behind the entry pavilion. The tower features angle wall buttresses, a lattice work parapet wall and large stained glass windows within pointed-arch openings. The pride and joy of the Scottish Rite Cathedral is the 65-bell carillon, at one time the largest in the country, the carillon is still played during special occasions.

Significance Statement – including special status and awards won:

The Scottish Rite Cathedral is one of the largest Scottish Rite structures in the nation. A division of Freemasonry, the Scottish Rite focus on supporting education and the arts. The Cathedral was built with every dimension (in feet) being evenly divisible by three, which reflects the three degrees in Freemasonry; many being divisible by 33, reflecting the degrees a member of the Scottish Rite can achieve. The Scottish Rite Cathedral was, at one time, designated by the International Association of Architects as “one of the seven most beautiful buildings in the world.”

Designation status:

National Register of Historic Places, 1988

Style: Tudor Gothic Revival

Owner (past/present): Valley of Indianapolis Scottish Rite

Materials: Limestone

Additions and/or changes with date: General restoration over time

Historic use/current use: Masonic Lodge

Is building open to the public?: Yes, daily tours available

Condition: Excellent

Website and/or sources of information:

  Website and virtual tour: http://www.aasr-indy.org/scottish-rite/tour-cathedral#

Research Sources:

National Register of Historic Places, Scottish Rite Cathedral, Marion, Indianapolis, Indiana. 1988.

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Virtual Tour

Get a 360° view: View 1 of parlor View 2 of parlor View of first-floor dining hall View of powder room View 1 of The Grand Ballroom, a three-level auditorium View 2 of the Grand Ballroom View of marble lobby with matching marble staircases

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Viritual Tour of the Joplin Scottish Rite Cathedral

The Joplin Scottish Rite recently launched an interactive virtual tour of their cathedral.  Thanks to the photography of Mark Farbin, you can now explore the Joplin Scottish Rite Cathedral from the comfort of your own home (or while waiting in line for Chinese take-out … thanks smartphones!).

The cathedral “…is a two-story, concrete terra cotta social hall built in the Beauz-Arts style in 1923.”  You can learn more regarding the history and architecture of this spectacular structure by visiting  http://www.joplinaasr.com/building_history.htm .

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The Scottish Rite Creed

Human progress is our cause, liberty of thought our supreme wish, freedom of conscience our mission, and the guarantee of equal rights to all people everywhere our ultimate goal.

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SCOTTISH RITE VALLEY OF INDIANAPOLIS 650 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204 | Telephone: 317-262-3100 | Email: [email protected]

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