Description of Historic Place

Masonic Hall is a large two-storey red-brick Neo-Georgian building located on Church Street in Grand Falls.

Heritage Value

Masonic Hall is designated a Local Historic Place for the importance of the Masons in the region and for the architecture of the building.

Masonic Hall is recognized for its association with the fraternal organization for which it was built. Located on the corner of Chapel and Church streets, Masonic Hall was built in 1927 and was inaugurated by Grand Master Vroom on November 10 of the same year. The Masons are recognized for their efforts with respect to various charitable works in the Grand-falls region, including educational bursaries, medical assistance and various fundraisings.

Masonic Hall is also recognized for its architecture. The building is a rare example of Neo-Georgian architecture in Grand Falls. The use of brick, the overall symmetry and massing, the hipped roof and simple classically-based ornamentation are all representative of this style. The east-west orientation of the building adheres to the standards of Masonic Lodge construction.

Source: Town of Grand Falls, Site File No. 20

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements that relate to the use of the building as a Masonic Hall include:
- cornerstone enclosing a bronze box containing documents, papers, and newspaper clippings;
- freemasonry insignia, being a square and compass, on the front façade;
- east-west orientation.

The character-defining elements that describe the Neo-Georgian architecture of the Masonic Hall include:
- rectangular two-storey massing;
- exterior brick cladding;
- overall symmetry;
- hipped roof;
- concrete lintels;
- classical ornamentation, including concrete arches with decorative keystones and modillions under the eaves;
- sash windows positioned so as to create a symmetry on each floor and on the different façades.