A living Monument of Masonry, Memory, and Meaning
Built in 1911. Danced by Truman. Preserved by generations.
“No president ever danced more humbly or served Masonry more faithfully.”
Harry S. Truman and the Tiffany Ballroom
As the 33rd President of the United States, Harry S. Truman never forgot his roots in the Masonic tradition. Even during his presidency, he made time to serve the Craft-quietly, dutifully, and with unwavering loyalty.
Royal Arch Degrees Orient Chapter No. 102 Nov. 11 & 15, 1919
Cryptic Degrees Shekinah Council No. 24 Dec. 18, 1919
All conferred at 903 Harrison – the very walls that still stand.
“There are places in a man’s life that make him. For Truman, this was one of them”
Harry and Bess Truman danced beneath the stained glass of the Tiffany Ballroom. That same 6,600 sq. ft floor hosts weddings, ceremonies, and celebrations to this day.
J.C. Sunderland Design History
The Masonic Temple in Kansas City, Missouri is a Neo-Classical Architecture building in the Beaux-Arts architecture tradition. Designed by J.C. Sunderland, the Masonic Cornerstone was laid October 8, 1910 and the building held a public dedication ceremony on September 30, 1911. The Kansas City Masonic Temple was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and as a film location with the Missouri Film Commission in 2013. A restoration project was launched in 2017 to restore and preserve the building for future generations.
Architect and Brother J.C. Sunderland, who belonged to Orient Chapter #102, Shekinah Council #24, and Oriental Commandery #35, designed the New Temple 100% fireproof. The only exception being the wooden window casings and the ballroom floor, which was five feet below ground level and of hardwood maple. Materials used were steel, reinforced concrete, stone, Vermont marble, tile, plaster and glass. The design has been acclaimed one of the most perfect examples of architecture in the United States with pictures, floor plan drawings, etc. published in the June 1920 issue of The Western Architect Magazine. The exterior has been described as Pseudo Classic or Grecian and Free Classic design, and the interior as Ionic, Doric, Persian, and Gothic. It is of pure Masonic design, and was built under the supervision of the interested Masonic brethren and no general contractor was employed. The door knobs are masonic characters, probably made especially for the Temple, as were many of the stained glass windows.
903 Harrison: Built from Ashes, Raised by Brotherhood
When the Ridge Building at 912 Walnut was destroyed by fire in 1909, most of Kansas City’s Masonic lodges were suddenly without a place to meet. Ararat Temple at 1332 Grand Avenue offered temporary refuge, while others gathered at the Scottish Rite Temple (15th & Troost), 9th and Spruce, or 3301 Woodland.
In response, the Kansas City Masonic Temple Company was formed that same year. It was supported by:
- Three Masonic lodges
- Two York Rite bodies
- 840 of the city’s 5,380 Masons
Together, they subscribed to the Temple’s Building Fund, which offered a 4% return on investment. Five lodges, three York Rite bodies, and three Eastern Star chapters also purchased stock in the project.
A Finance Committee of five representatives and a Building Committee with one delegate from each of the thirteen men’s organizations and Eastern Star chapters was created to oversee the endeavor.
With all charters, jewels, robes, and sacred regalia lost in the fire — much of it irreplaceable — the new Temple’s mission was clear: build something fireproof, enduring, and worthy of the Craft.
A Priceless Work of Lost Artistry
The original plan was to build the Temple for $120,000.00, but by the time construction and furnishing were complete, the cost had nearly doubled to $250,000.00.
Today, it could not be replaced for any amount of money — for the artistic crafts and architectural techniques employed then are now largely lost to the building trades.
Features to Be Seen to Be Believed:
- Decorated tile floors
- Ornate wall and ceiling treatments
- Handcrafted stained glass windows
- Lion head cornices on the façade
- Two stained glass windows on the lower level
- Balcony carvings and pilasters throughout
“Built for more than shelter — built for ceremony.”
Laid in Ceremony, Raised in Brotherhood
Construction of the Temple began in March 1909 and was sufficiently complete for use by September 1911.
Cornerstone Laid:
October 8, 1910 — Sealed with full Masonic ceremony
Public Dedication Ceremony:
September 30, 1911, conducted by the Grand Lodge of Missouri
Annual Grand Lodge Communications Held Here:
- 1914
- 1920
- 1923
Over the years, other Grand Organizations also held formal events within these sacred walls — affirming the Temple’s role as a spiritual and ceremonial center for Freemasonry in Missouri.
Today, the Kansas City Masonic Temple remains a vibrant center of Masonic life. It hosts:
- 6 Masonic Lodges
- 3 York Rite Bodies
- 4 Eastern Star Chapters
- The Social Order of Beauceant
- The White Shrine of Jerusalem
- A long-standing Study Club
- And the A.M.O.R.C. (Rosicrucians)
The building has been in continuous use for over 74 years. On some evenings, as many as four organizations meet simultaneously, each in separate chambers.
The Temple is also believed to be the only facility west of the Mississippi with a dedicated Eastern Star room — a rare distinction in Masonic architecture.
The structure is not just historic — it’s practical. It remains a functional venue with ample space, and includes a lighted parking lot directly adjacent to the south.
Still Sacred, Still Active: The Temple Today
“A historic structure with a living heartbeat — still echoing with ritual, learning, and fellowship.”
When Shadows Fell, the Faithful Answered
Like many urban temples across America, the Kansas City Masonic Temple suffered from declining membership and a migration away from the city center in the latter half of the 20th century.
By the early 1980s, the building faced an uncertain future. The rooms were quieter. Maintenance slipped. The grand halls whispered stories of better days.
But the Temple was not forgotten.
On February 1, 1982, a small circle of loyal and loving members convened in a special meeting. Their mission:
Preserve the legacy. Save the Temple.
That moment would mark the beginning of a new age of stewardship — carried not by wealth or politics, but by devotion, sweat, and shared brotherhood.
“We decided to swim — not sink. The faithful returned, and the Temple endured.”
In 1982, the Temple’s stewards reached out to the Grand Lodge, Scottish Rite, and Ararat Shrine for support. The response was understandable, but firm:
They could not assist without obligating themselves to all Temples in similar need.
So the Temple faced a choice:
🕯️ Sink or Swim.
And the faithful chose to swim.
A brutal ice storm in December 1981 crippled the heating system. But within one week, volunteer Masons had the building operational again — restored by hand and brotherhood.
Legal & Financial Progress
Later that year, under the guidance of legal counsel, the brethren:
- Formed the Kansas City Historical Preservation Society Inc.
- Secured temporary 501(c)(3) nonprofit status
- Became eligible for tax-exempt donations and grants
- Despite a challenging economy and limited external support, these early efforts yielded critical victories:
- Interior repainted
- Auditorium and offices carpeted
- New boiler installed — $30,000 project completed through donations
“No grants, no contractors — just hands, hearts, and a love for legacy.”
The Restoration Never Ends
“It is not labor — it is legacy work.”
Restoration of the Kansas City Masonic Temple continues with care and precision.
Current projects include:
- Repairing the stained glass windows
- Restoring the historic organ in the auditorium
- Modernizing the kitchen facilities
These improvements are part of an ongoing commitment to preserve both the building and the experience for future generations.
The Board of Directors meets monthly, on the first Wednesday, to oversee ongoing needs and ensure all voices are represented.
Each group that meets in the building is encouraged to send a representative.
The Temple runs on volunteer energy — the only paid position is that of the custodian.
Every coat of paint, every floor polished, every repaired fixture is the work of hands that love the place.
Recognized, Registered, Revered
The Kansas City Masonic Temple has been officially recognized for its architectural and cultural significance:
National Historic Register
Listed as a National Historical Landmark
November 14, 1980
Local Historical Landmark
Designated by the City Council of Kansas City, Missouri
February 2, 1979
“One of the finest surviving Masonic temples in the United States — and a treasure of Kansas City’s architectural heritage.”
Receipts of Memory: What It Cost to Build the Temple
Deep within the Temple archives lie original agreements and receipts documenting every phase of its creation — from stonework to plaster, light fixtures to postage stamps.
These aren’t just numbers — they are the tangible proof of vision, commitment, and sacrifice from a different time.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Original deed for lots | $17,000.00 |
| Winkler Furniture (woodwork, doors, mouldings) | $2,270.00 |
| Gold Seal Wall Plaster (hand-troweled) | $7,960.00 |
| Carpenters (4 men, 1 week) + Ice | $62.10 |
| 1908 Kitchen dishwasher | $619.50 |
| Electrical work (Squires Electric) | $4,470.00 |
| Tile, marble, and finishes | $7,000.00 |
| Heating system (boilers, labor) | $6,337.00 |
| Concrete roof sealing (5-yr guarantee) | $3,920.00 |
| Ballroom pillars (each) | $350.00 |
| Organ | Less than $1,500.00 |
| Annual telephone service | $60.00 |
| Mailing 1,920 letters | $59.27 |
| Telegrams (President Taft, others) | Included |
| Contest prize receipts | $250.00 |
| Apology letter from sand supplier | $76.00 |
| Cornerstone (with 53 engraved letters) | $111.20 |
