Colored Masonic Temple
The Colored Masonic Temple (officially the Masonic Temple Building) is a 7-story Renaissance-Revival style building located at 1630 4th Avenue North. It was constructed in 1922 for the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons of Alabama and is a contributing structure to the 4th Avenue Historic District.
The brick building features an engaged limestone temple front on the south facade. It was constructed by Windham Brothers Construction.
Throughout its history the building has housed the offices of notable African-American professionals, businesses and organizations. Its ballroom was used for meetings, ceremonies, concerts, dances and other special events. Three ground floor rooms were used for the Booker T. Washington Library, the first public lending library open to Black citizens in Birmingham.
It is still used for meetings of the the Prince Hall Grand Lodge, but is otherwise underutilized. In January 2009 Main Street Birmingham hosted a workshop at the building to generate ideas for creative redevelopment.
References
- Ruisi, Anne (January 12, 2009) "Masonic Temple in downtown Birmingham draws preservationists." Birmingham News