Mill Valley Lodge History

Mill Valley’s Masonic Hall

The original plans for the Mill Valley Masonic Hall are no longer extant. Little was recorded about the specifics of its construction. We know that Harvey A. Klyce was architect and builder of the original 1903 structure. One measure of his success in this endeavor might be comparing the as-built structure with the following guidelines set out by English Freemason George Oliver in Chapter III, "Plans and Specifications," in The Book of the Lodge, written in 1848:

"When the erection of a Masonic Hall, or Lodge room, has been determined on, the first thing to be considered is the Plan, which is a matter of the greatest importance; for the regularity of all the rites and ceremonies of the Order depend, principally, upon the proper construction of the place of assembly. Our continental Brethren are governed in this particular by a Ritual of Building, which it is penal to violate; and they feel a more than common interest in the punctual observance of the ordinances there prescribed, that their Lodges may be erected, like the horoscope of an expert astrologer, without the violation of any rule, even in the minutest particular; for as no correct decision respecting the native’s destiny can be elicited from an informal figure of the heavens; so our continental Brethren believe that the efficacy of Freemasonry will be considerably deteriorated, if there be any error or imperfection in the formation of the Lodge where its benefits are imparted.

‘In this country [England], Masonic Halls are frequently erected at great expense, and when finished, are deficient in many things which contribute to the effect of the ceremonies, and the comfort of the Brethren. These evils will surely arise when an architect is employed who is not a Mason, and consequently ignorant of those especial accommodations which are indispensable to a good Lodge; and which none but Masons can appropriately produce.

‘It requires not only a talented architect, but an experienced Freemason, to build a Lodge which shall contain every requisite for the proper administration of all the ceremonies of the Order. The following directions may be useful, but they are necessarily restricted in their application, because it is a subject on which it is impossible to be fully explicit on all points connected therewith.

‘First, then, a Masonic Hall should be isolated, and, if possible, surrounded with lofty walls, so as to be included in a court, and apart from any other buildings, to preclude the possibility of being overlooked by cowans or eavesdroppers; for Freemasonry being a secret society, the curiosity of mankind is ever on the alert to pry into its mysteries, and to obtain, by illicit means, that knowledge which is freely communicated to all worthy applicants. As, however, such a situation in large towns, where Masonry is usually practiced, can seldom be obtained, with convenience to the Brethren, the Lodge should be formed in an upper story; and if there be any contiguous buildings, the windows should be either in the roof, or very high from the floor. In the latter case, the altitude of the lower part of the window, as prescribed in the Helvetian ceremonies, is five cubits, calculating by the Masonic cubit of 18 inches, and measuring from the superficies of the floor within. The observance of this rule would effectually protect our mysteries from profanation, and assure the Brethren of a perfect security in the performance of their secret ceremonies. These windows ought to be all on one side – the south, if practicable – and furnished with proper ventilators, that the Brethren be not incommoded, when pursuing their accustomed avocations, by the heat of the Lodge. The utility of ventilation is known to all good Masons; nor can a building be properly finished unless these conveniences are judiciously disposed.

‘The windows being placed at the above distance from the ground, will indicate, in some measure, the height of the room; which, to preserve a just proportion, must of course be lofty. The proper height, as prescribed by the ancient rituals, is 27 feet, corresponding with the dimensions of the pillars in the front of the porch of Solomon’s Temple, which had a mystical signification, and, therefore, as we shall presently see, had an appropriate place assigned to them in the Lodge. They were hollow, to contain the constitutional records, being of sufficient capacity for that purpose; the diameter being 6 feet and the outer rim 4 inches thick. Some think that the Lodge room should be 32½ feet in height to accord with the entire altitude of the pillars, including the plinths and capitals; but this would be out of all proportion; and if the principle be accounted orthodox, there is no reason why the entire bases should be rejected, which would make the room 54 feet in height, and constitute a monstrous absurdity.

‘The room should be furnished with a pitched room, open within, and relieved with an ornamental framework of oak, or painted so as to resemble that species of timber. It should be supported on corbels running along the cornice, on which should be engraven Masonic ornaments, or the armorial bearings of eminent Masons in the Province where the Hall is situated, as a memorial of their zeal and activity for the general prosperity of the Order. Or in case of a flat ceiling, the armorial bearings may be disposed on vacant portions of the wall, as in the Royal Cumberland Lodge at Bath, where they produce a very pleasing effect.

‘In estimating the height, it is to be reckoned from the surface of the floor to the extreme point of the gable. The dimensions of the room in length and breadth have not been authoritatively prescribed, because they will depend in a great measure on the situation of the Lodge, or the space which is assigned for its position; and this will often be extremely circumscribed in a large and populous place, where building-land is scarce and dear, or the fund inadequate to any extensive operations. But, in all cases, a due proportion should be observed in he several members of the fabric wherever it is practicable, that no unsightly appearance may offend the eye, by disturbing that general harmony of parts which constitutes the beauty and excellence of every architectural production.

‘The principal entrance to the Lodge-room ought to face the east, because the east is a place of light both physical and moral; and therefore the Brethren have access to the Lodge by that entrance, as a symbol of mental illumination. The approaches to the Lodge must be angular, for a straight entrance is un-Masonic and cannot be tolerated. The advance from the external avenue to the east ought to consist of three lines and two angles. The first line passes through a small room or closet for the accommodation of visitors before they have proved their qualifications to be admitted to the Lodge, be signs, tokens, and perfect points of entrance; for strangers must be lodged somewhere, and it ought to be out of sight and hearing of the Loge, because on examination it is possible they might prove imposters, and their claims be consequently rejected. At the extremity of this apartment there ought to be another angular passage leading to the Tyler’s room adjacent to the Lodge; and from thence, by another right angle, you are admitted into the presence of the Brethren with your face to the light, and stand prepared to salute the W.M. So sacred are the proceedings of a Lodge, and such is their immeasurable distance from common observation and remark, that the door which opens from the Tyler’s room into the Lodge should be protected by a screen of thick moreen, or a double entrance-door, that nothing whatever which passes in the Lodge should be heard even in this privileged apartment.

‘In every convenient place the architect should contrive secret cryptae or closets. They are of indispensable utility, but in practice are not sufficiently attended to in this country. On the continent they are numerous, and are dignified with the name of chapels. Two of these apartments have already been mentioned; (1) a room for visitors; (2) the Tyler’s room; added to which there ought to be (3) a vestry, where the ornaments, furniture, jewels, and other regalia are deposited. This is called the treasury, or Tyler’s conclave, because these things are under his especial charge; and a communication is usually made to this apartment from the Tyler’s room. There ought also to be (4) a chapel for preparations, hung with black, and having only one small light placed high up, near the ceiling; (5) a chapel for the dead, furnished with a table, on which are a lamp, and emblems of mortality; (6) the Master’s conclave, where the records, the warrants, the minutes, and every written documentary kept. To this room the W.M. retires when the Lodge is called from labour to refreshment, and at other times when his presence in the Lodge is not essential; and here he examines the visitors, for which purpose a communication is formed between his conclave and the visitor’s chapel. It is furnished with blue; and here he transacts the Lodge business with his Secretary. The Ark of the Covenant is also deposited in this apartment when the Lodge is closed. None of these closets should exceed 12 feet square; and may be of smaller dimensions according to circumstances. In the middle of the Hall there should be (7) a moveable trap-door in the floor, 7 feet long, and 3 or 4 broad, opening into a small crypt about 3 feet in depth; the use of which is known to none but perfect Masons who have passed through all the symbolical degrees.

‘These conveniences having been arranged by the expert architect, and transferred to the tracing board for permanent reference, the next care of the Master is to make due preparation for the ceremony of commencing the building in peace and harmony, and consecrating the ground to the purposes of Masonry by laying the Foundation-stone with all the usual formalities of the Craft. A Building Committee is therefore appointed to make the preliminary arrangements, and nothing is done without its previous sanction."

It is apparent from these guidelines that Brother Klyce worked very hard at creating a building that was well suited to its Masonic purpose. Close observers might note such details as the winding stair case to the choir loft which consists of three, five, and seven steps.