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From South Africa - Hidden Cape Town

Jacques Maritz

Registered User
Hidden Cape Town
Just beyond Stalplein (an early site of the Dutch East India Company's stables and one of the City's historic squares), lies De Goede Hoop Temple, the oldest active Masonic Temple in the Southern Hemisphere. Built in 1803, it has been described as one of the most elegant Masonic buildings of all time. The Temple De Goede Hoop in Bouquet Street, Cape Town, stands on its own grounds, some few metres to the left of Tuynhuys, chambers of the President of South Africa. The whole complex, even including the huge tree alongside the fountain, has been declared a National Monument.
The De Goede Hoop Temple was designed by Louis Thibault and built by Hermann Schutte, whilst Anton Anreith sculpted the original statues. The main Temple room is long and narrow, being based on the exact dimensions of the inner sanctum of King Solomon’s Temple, in Jerusalem.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to enter a historical venue like the De Goede Hoop Temple, with the added bonus that it could give you a glimpse at the world of Freemasons?
These were just some of the thoughts that dawned upon me when first I paged through a coffee table book called “Hidden Cape Town” published by Randomstruik; compiled by Paul Duncan and Alain Proust.
“Hidden Cape Town offers a unique look at thirty of Cape Town’s most notable buildings, revealing the architectural secrets and artworks that lie beyond the doors of some known and lesser known landmark buildings in and around the “Mother City”; forming part of the diverse heritage and culture that shaped South Africa over the centuries.” according to the back page synopsis.
After seeing and reading the section on the De Goede Hoop Temple, I was intrigued. How the authors were able to enter and photograph the Temple – was it not only accessible to Freemasons? I simply had to know more!
I was provided with the email address of the Provincial Grand Secretary (PGS) and enquired as to how a member of the public could gain access to the Temple? The PGS, Mervyn was amused to enlighten me that pre-arranged, guided tours of the De Goede Hoop Temple have been open to the Public for some time now.
In addition I was surprised to discover that it had always been a policy of Freemasons not to react - or reply to any of the myriad rumours, conspiracy theories and many other allegations through the ages.
Mervyn also stated categorically that if Freemasonry was such a secret as some would believe, then we would not know anything about the Brotherhood. Freemasons would like to rather be known as a Society with Secrets as opposed to a Secret Society.
The Temple and surrounding structures have almost an air of mystery and intrigue about it being drenched in history of more than two hundred years. Masonry in South Africa, I discovered is even older.
In 1772 the Masonic Order established its first Lodge (the name for a group of Masons) in the Cape (of Good Hope) under a warrant obtained from the Grand Lodge National of the Netherlands. Initially, Masonic or Lodge meetings were held in new buildings rented for this purpose, but after 1794 they moved to a building which stood on the site of the former Union Hotel in Plein Street belonging to Abraham de Smidt, a prominent lodge member. They subsequently purchased the building, but it soon proved to be inadequate and in 1800 they bought the grounds upon which the Temple now stands. The property, known as Domburg Garden, already had a number of structures upon it and in 1801 it was decided to demolish them to make way for a new building. The Temple was built at a cost of £6000, and Brother (what Freemasons call one another) Anton Anreith installed four symbolic figures along the walls of the temple, with another three placed elsewhere in the building. The temple was consecrated on 7 July 1803 by Advocate Jacob de Mist, Commissioner of the Cape, who was also Deputy Grand Master National of the Netherlands.
During the 1840s, a banqueting hall was added next to the Temple and this housed the Cape Parliament from 1854 to 1884, when the present House of Assembly was completed. In February 1892 the Temple, together with its banqueting hall, was gutted by fire, including four of Anreith's symbolic figures, and only the outer chambers escaped damage. The building was rebuilt, and was consecrated in April 1893, while its banqueting hall was converted to a theatre and was used as such until 1916, when it was acquired by the Government. It was declared a National Monument under old NMC legislation on 6 September 1968.
The Cape Colony received its representative parliamentary institution in 1854. The newly created House of Assembly found a home in Cape Town. No doubt that the first Speaker of the House, Sir Christoffel Brand (also appointed Deputy District Grand Master National for South Africa for the Netherlands Constitution in December 1847), brought some persuasion to bear. There were few vacant buildings available in the growing city and the banqueting hall of the Temple De Goede Hoop was an obvious choice. The House of Assembly met there for the first time on June 30, 1854, a preliminary meeting, with the formal opening in Government House the next day.
The small foyer of the Temple or Lodge De Goede Hoop is entered through two heavy wooden doors. A further set of doors, some 12 feet high, lead into the Temple Robing Room.
To the left is the Preparator’s Room, with stairs leading to the organ loft. Also left, is the Chamber of Meditation, containing a statue of “Hiram Abiff” by Anreith. Leading out of the Chamber of Meditation, through a (very) heavy wooden door, is a sloping passageway to the Middle Chamber. At the far end of this Chamber is a statue of “Grief,” also by Anreith.
To the right is the Master’s Robing Room adjacent to the Chamber of Silence. This chamber houses a statue of “Silence” by Anreith.
All of the Anreith statues date back to the time of the original creation of the Temple around 1803 and his contribution is acknowledged on the National Monument Plate found at the front door.
Entrance to the main Temple itself is gained through the Temple Robing Room and underneath the organ loft. At the top of the entrance steps (the West) are the Chairs for the Junior and Senior Wardens. The Master’s Chair is situated in the East, at the centre back. Each of the office bearers has specifically allocated seats in the Temple. Lodge Charters are stored through curtains behind the Master’s throne.
Just inside the entrance to the right, a wire rope extends from the ceiling. This is to activate the “Thunder Run”, a Shakespearean innovation which simulates the sound of thunder. It is, I am told, one of only two known examples of this feature, still operational worldwide.
There are four magnificent statues placed in significant positions in the Temple. These are respectively :- “Wisdom” - a copy of the Giustiniani Minerva (the original is housed in the Vatican); “Strength”- the Lansdowne Hercules; “Beauty” - a copy of the tinted Venus by Gibson, the Welsh Sculptor; and “Hope” – which was a local creation. These statues were put in place in the late 1890s, in memory of Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr.
There are numerous other interesting features found within the Temple complex, including the several magnificent paintings of respected Freemasons from days gone by and a wide variety of interesting, historical items related to the Temple itself and the development of Freemasonry in the Western Cape.
In conclusion I simply had to ask my guide “so what is Freemasonry?”
The response was as follows:
Freemasonry is the world’s oldest and largest international brotherhood or fraternity. It is, and always has been, dedicated to the moral and spiritual upliftment of good men, by creating an environment in which they can jointly pursue the principles of truth, morality, brotherly love, and charity. Making good men, better.
Applicants for the Order must believe in a power greater than man, may not have a criminal record, and may not be un-rehabilitated insolvents. In principle, men are not invited to join Freemasonry and interested applicants are expected to apply for membership of their own free will and accord.
Although the Freemason must have religious belief, as the Order’s teaching is carried out with religious symbolism, Freemasonry is not a religion, nor is the Masonic Temple a place of Worship. The Order does not attempt to provide, or to supplant religious requirements which are best provided by the Churches or other religious bodies with that specific function. The Order does not assume these functions. The Freemason must however, be prepared to undertake solemn obligations in the sight of God and the Holy Bible.
There are no economic or material advantages offered by the Order. Freemasonry does however have certain charities. Masonic Charities are not intended to replace the provisions which a man must make for his family in his old age or in the event of his death. There is an annual Masonic Charity Spring Ball in August where funds are raised for Masonic homes dedicated to the elderly and disabled persons. However it is Masonic to support charity in general.
No Masonic Lodge takes part in politics and no discussion on politics generally, or State Policy, is permitted in the Lodge. The Order does not interfere in a Brother’s political belief, or in his activities outside the Lodge, but requires that members be law-abiding and acknowledge the Civil Authorities. The Lodge will not tolerate Brethren guilty of criminal misdemeanour, or subversive activities. Whilst demanding from its Members loyalty and obedience to its principles and constitution, there is nothing in Freemasonry which conflicts with a man’s civil, moral, or religious obligations. Masonry is an international fraternity; however, each Mason is instructed to be loyal to his own country, knowing that other men love their country as he loves his own.
To book a guided tour send a mail to: guidedtours@grandlodge.co.za
Tours are limited to 16, subject to the availability of a guide and must be arranged well in advance.
or to book tickets for the Masonic Spring Ball, contact the Provincial Grand Secretary,
Mervyn on:secretarysd@grandlodge.co.za
Words 1677
Author Jacques
INFO section:
A Lodge would consist of 20+ members, and a group of Lodges would fall into a Division or Provincial Grand Lodge(PGL) and a country would normally have only one Grand Lodge, under which all divisions or PGL’s would fall.
South Africa has four constitutions of Freemasons namely : South African, English, Scottish and Irish.
For more information:
www.grandlodge.co.za for information on Freemasonry in South Africa
www.freemasonrysd.co.za for information on Masonry in Southern Division (Cape and W-Cape)
www.glsa23.co.za for information on a Lodge in Cape Town.(this is one of 17)
or view www.sabc.co.za/wps/portal/news/main/tag?tag=Lodge%20de%20Goede%20Hoop
 

Morris Rozen

Registered User
Hidden Cape Town
Just beyond Stalplein (an early site of the Dutch East India Company's stables and one of the City's historic squares), lies De Goede Hoop Temple, the oldest active Masonic Temple in the Southern Hemisphere. Built in 1803, it has been described as one of the most elegant Masonic buildings of all time. The Temple De Goede Hoop in Bouquet Street, Cape Town, stands on its own grounds, some few metres to the left of Tuynhuys, chambers of the President of South Africa. The whole complex, even including the huge tree alongside the fountain, has been declared a National Monument.
The De Goede Hoop Temple was designed by Louis Thibault and built by Hermann Schutte, whilst Anton Anreith sculpted the original statues. The main Temple room is long and narrow, being based on the exact dimensions of the inner sanctum of King Solomon’s Temple, in Jerusalem.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to enter a historical venue like the De Goede Hoop Temple, with the added bonus that it could give you a glimpse at the world of Freemasons?
These were just some of the thoughts that dawned upon me when first I paged through a coffee table book called “Hidden Cape Town” published by Randomstruik; compiled by Paul Duncan and Alain Proust.
“Hidden Cape Town offers a unique look at thirty of Cape Town’s most notable buildings, revealing the architectural secrets and artworks that lie beyond the doors of some known and lesser known landmark buildings in and around the “Mother City”; forming part of the diverse heritage and culture that shaped South Africa over the centuries.” according to the back page synopsis.
After seeing and reading the section on the De Goede Hoop Temple, I was intrigued. How the authors were able to enter and photograph the Temple – was it not only accessible to Freemasons? I simply had to know more!
I was provided with the email address of the Provincial Grand Secretary (PGS) and enquired as to how a member of the public could gain access to the Temple? The PGS, Mervyn was amused to enlighten me that pre-arranged, guided tours of the De Goede Hoop Temple have been open to the Public for some time now.
In addition I was surprised to discover that it had always been a policy of Freemasons not to react - or reply to any of the myriad rumours, conspiracy theories and many other allegations through the ages.
Mervyn also stated categorically that if Freemasonry was such a secret as some would believe, then we would not know anything about the Brotherhood. Freemasons would like to rather be known as a Society with Secrets as opposed to a Secret Society.
The Temple and surrounding structures have almost an air of mystery and intrigue about it being drenched in history of more than two hundred years. Masonry in South Africa, I discovered is even older.
In 1772 the Masonic Order established its first Lodge (the name for a group of Masons) in the Cape (of Good Hope) under a warrant obtained from the Grand Lodge National of the Netherlands. Initially, Masonic or Lodge meetings were held in new buildings rented for this purpose, but after 1794 they moved to a building which stood on the site of the former Union Hotel in Plein Street belonging to Abraham de Smidt, a prominent lodge member. They subsequently purchased the building, but it soon proved to be inadequate and in 1800 they bought the grounds upon which the Temple now stands. The property, known as Domburg Garden, already had a number of structures upon it and in 1801 it was decided to demolish them to make way for a new building. The Temple was built at a cost of £6000, and Brother (what Freemasons call one another) Anton Anreith installed four symbolic figures along the walls of the temple, with another three placed elsewhere in the building. The temple was consecrated on 7 July 1803 by Advocate Jacob de Mist, Commissioner of the Cape, who was also Deputy Grand Master National of the Netherlands.
During the 1840s, a banqueting hall was added next to the Temple and this housed the Cape Parliament from 1854 to 1884, when the present House of Assembly was completed. In February 1892 the Temple, together with its banqueting hall, was gutted by fire, including four of Anreith's symbolic figures, and only the outer chambers escaped damage. The building was rebuilt, and was consecrated in April 1893, while its banqueting hall was converted to a theatre and was used as such until 1916, when it was acquired by the Government. It was declared a National Monument under old NMC legislation on 6 September 1968.
The Cape Colony received its representative parliamentary institution in 1854. The newly created House of Assembly found a home in Cape Town. No doubt that the first Speaker of the House, Sir Christoffel Brand (also appointed Deputy District Grand Master National for South Africa for the Netherlands Constitution in December 1847), brought some persuasion to bear. There were few vacant buildings available in the growing city and the banqueting hall of the Temple De Goede Hoop was an obvious choice. The House of Assembly met there for the first time on June 30, 1854, a preliminary meeting, with the formal opening in Government House the next day.
The small foyer of the Temple or Lodge De Goede Hoop is entered through two heavy wooden doors. A further set of doors, some 12 feet high, lead into the Temple Robing Room.
To the left is the Preparator’s Room, with stairs leading to the organ loft. Also left, is the Chamber of Meditation, containing a statue of “Hiram Abiff” by Anreith. Leading out of the Chamber of Meditation, through a (very) heavy wooden door, is a sloping passageway to the Middle Chamber. At the far end of this Chamber is a statue of “Grief,” also by Anreith.
To the right is the Master’s Robing Room adjacent to the Chamber of Silence. This chamber houses a statue of “Silence” by Anreith.
All of the Anreith statues date back to the time of the original creation of the Temple around 1803 and his contribution is acknowledged on the National Monument Plate found at the front door.
Entrance to the main Temple itself is gained through the Temple Robing Room and underneath the organ loft. At the top of the entrance steps (the West) are the Chairs for the Junior and Senior Wardens. The Master’s Chair is situated in the East, at the centre back. Each of the office bearers has specifically allocated seats in the Temple. Lodge Charters are stored through curtains behind the Master’s throne.
Just inside the entrance to the right, a wire rope extends from the ceiling. This is to activate the “Thunder Run”, a Shakespearean innovation which simulates the sound of thunder. It is, I am told, one of only two known examples of this feature, still operational worldwide.
There are four magnificent statues placed in significant positions in the Temple. These are respectively :- “Wisdom” - a copy of the Giustiniani Minerva (the original is housed in the Vatican); “Strength”- the Lansdowne Hercules; “Beauty” - a copy of the tinted Venus by Gibson, the Welsh Sculptor; and “Hope” – which was a local creation. These statues were put in place in the late 1890s, in memory of Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr.
There are numerous other interesting features found within the Temple complex, including the several magnificent paintings of respected Freemasons from days gone by and a wide variety of interesting, historical items related to the Temple itself and the development of Freemasonry in the Western Cape.
In conclusion I simply had to ask my guide “so what is Freemasonry?”
The response was as follows:
Freemasonry is the world’s oldest and largest international brotherhood or fraternity. It is, and always has been, dedicated to the moral and spiritual upliftment of good men, by creating an environment in which they can jointly pursue the principles of truth, morality, brotherly love, and charity. Making good men, better.
Applicants for the Order must believe in a power greater than man, may not have a criminal record, and may not be un-rehabilitated insolvents. In principle, men are not invited to join Freemasonry and interested applicants are expected to apply for membership of their own free will and accord.
Although the Freemason must have religious belief, as the Order’s teaching is carried out with religious symbolism, Freemasonry is not a religion, nor is the Masonic Temple a place of Worship. The Order does not attempt to provide, or to supplant religious requirements which are best provided by the Churches or other religious bodies with that specific function. The Order does not assume these functions. The Freemason must however, be prepared to undertake solemn obligations in the sight of God and the Holy Bible.
There are no economic or material advantages offered by the Order. Freemasonry does however have certain charities. Masonic Charities are not intended to replace the provisions which a man must make for his family in his old age or in the event of his death. There is an annual Masonic Charity Spring Ball in August where funds are raised for Masonic homes dedicated to the elderly and disabled persons. However it is Masonic to support charity in general.
No Masonic Lodge takes part in politics and no discussion on politics generally, or State Policy, is permitted in the Lodge. The Order does not interfere in a Brother’s political belief, or in his activities outside the Lodge, but requires that members be law-abiding and acknowledge the Civil Authorities. The Lodge will not tolerate Brethren guilty of criminal misdemeanour, or subversive activities. Whilst demanding from its Members loyalty and obedience to its principles and constitution, there is nothing in Freemasonry which conflicts with a man’s civil, moral, or religious obligations. Masonry is an international fraternity; however, each Mason is instructed to be loyal to his own country, knowing that other men love their country as he loves his own.
To book a guided tour send a mail to: guidedtours@grandlodge.co.za
Tours are limited to 16, subject to the availability of a guide and must be arranged well in advance.
or to book tickets for the Masonic Spring Ball, contact the Provincial Grand Secretary,
Mervyn on:secretarysd@grandlodge.co.za
Words 1677
Author Jacques
INFO section:
A Lodge would consist of 20+ members, and a group of Lodges would fall into a Division or Provincial Grand Lodge(PGL) and a country would normally have only one Grand Lodge, under which all divisions or PGL’s would fall.
South Africa has four constitutions of Freemasons namely : South African, English, Scottish and Irish.
For more information:
www.grandlodge.co.za for information on Freemasonry in South Africa
www.freemasonrysd.co.za for information on Masonry in Southern Division (Cape and W-Cape)
www.glsa23.co.za for information on a Lodge in Cape Town.(this is one of 17)
or view www.sabc.co.za/wps/portal/news/main/tag?tag=Lodge%20de%20Goede%20Hoop
 
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