Bryan
Registered User
Saturday, June 22, It was my pleasure and privilege to visit the oldest Lodge in Louisiana.
Etoile Polaire Lodge No. 1 F&AM is located in the City of New Orleans Louisiana on North Rampart St. in close proximity to the French Quarter.
Etoile Polaire Lodge No. 1 was established in 1794 and chartered in 1812 by the Grand Lodge of Louisiana. The Grand Lodge of Louisiana was chartered in 1812 when Louisiana was admitted to the Union as a state. It is my understanding that the current building (as seen in the below photos) was constructed in 1848. It should also be noted that this particular lodge is a "Red Lodge" as it confers the EA, FC, and MM degrees using the old Scottish or French Rite. All of the Lodges in the New Orleans district operate in the Scottish Rite degrees. All other lodges through out the great state of Louisiana are "Blue Lodges" and operate in the York Rite degrees. All of the Blue and Red Lodges are a part of and are subordinate lodges of the Grand Lodge of Louisiana.
I have been told that the lodge room pretty much with the exception of Air Conditioning and Electric Lighting appears as it did in 1850.
These photos truly do not do this building justice. Upon entering the lodge room one is overwhelmed by the sense of age and history. I do not know exactly how to describe the feeling i got when the huge doors were parted and I got my first glimpse of the lodge room.
Please notice the gas light fixtures including the beautiful chandelier.
Etoile Polaire Lodge No. 1 F&AM is located in the City of New Orleans Louisiana on North Rampart St. in close proximity to the French Quarter.
Etoile Polaire Lodge No. 1 was established in 1794 and chartered in 1812 by the Grand Lodge of Louisiana. The Grand Lodge of Louisiana was chartered in 1812 when Louisiana was admitted to the Union as a state. It is my understanding that the current building (as seen in the below photos) was constructed in 1848. It should also be noted that this particular lodge is a "Red Lodge" as it confers the EA, FC, and MM degrees using the old Scottish or French Rite. All of the Lodges in the New Orleans district operate in the Scottish Rite degrees. All other lodges through out the great state of Louisiana are "Blue Lodges" and operate in the York Rite degrees. All of the Blue and Red Lodges are a part of and are subordinate lodges of the Grand Lodge of Louisiana.
I have been told that the lodge room pretty much with the exception of Air Conditioning and Electric Lighting appears as it did in 1850.
These photos truly do not do this building justice. Upon entering the lodge room one is overwhelmed by the sense of age and history. I do not know exactly how to describe the feeling i got when the huge doors were parted and I got my first glimpse of the lodge room.
Please notice the gas light fixtures including the beautiful chandelier.
