Friday, April 1, 2022

THE SECOND TEMPLE OF AMORC



 
 
 
At the beginning of 1916, Harvey Spencer Lewis, the founder of AMORC, installed his first temple in a building located at 70 West 87th street, in New York, but Lewis later moved the temple to another part of the city, to the mansion located at 361 West 23rd street, which had been the home of the famous singer Lily Langtry.
 

 
 
 
WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN?
 
Early in 1918, Lewis announced that he intended to move his temple to larger premises, in his Cromaat B magazine (February 1918), he wrote:
 
« 
ANOTHER SUPREME GRAND LODGE PROBLEM
 
Once more the problem of moving the Supreme Grand Temple and Executive Offices to larger spice confronts us. Last year [1917] we tried to avoid the situation, because of the delay in work and the tremendous cost involved. Therefore, we simply increased our space where we were. This we can no longer do, and we really need four to five times the amount of floor space we now have There is but one way our. We must have a large and well appointed building —a real Temple— for our exclusive use.
 
What we have in mind will most surely please our Members throughout America. We cannot —or rather will not— speak of it now. Our purpose in making this brief reference to the moving, is to prepare an excuse in the minds of many for a possible delay in answering letters and doing many other things, long about the middle of March and into April.
 
Then we shall ask for donation —not particularly of money, but of those little things which mean so much in an Oriental Temple. Many have in storage or not in use, small Oriental or foreign rugs, pictures, odd chairs and other pieces of furniture as well as draperies and what-nots. These would not he missed, if sent to us, and we will then ask for such things to help make the new Temple just what every visitor to it would have it. Make an inventory of what you can send, and then let us know. Every little antique or oddity will be greatly appreciated. »
(p.32-33)
 
Observation: a researcher says that The Sun newspaper of April 18, 1918 reported the purchase of that Mansion by Spencer Lewis but I have not found this article.
 
 
 
 
 
 
HOW WAS THIS TEMPLE?
 
In this regard Lewis in his brochure Cromaat E wrote the following:
 
«
THE NEW SUPREME GRAND LODGE TEMPLE
 
At last we have secured our own permanent Supreme Temple. This is so important to all our members throughout the North American Jurisdiction that it is imperative they should be thoroughly conversant with all the details regarding this most important National acquisition.
 
All our members know that since the establishment of our noble Order in this jurisdiction the rapid growth has made it necessary to move our headquarters several times, only to find after being settled a few months that the space was not sufficient to permit us efficiently to perform the work. Therefore, after the most matured consideration, it was decided to take steps which would insure a permanent home for the Supreme Grand Lodge of sufficient size to take care of the increasing demands for the next ten years, nr more.
 
 
Excellent location
 
After months of searching, we were unusually fortunate in locating a most desirable site in an especially attractive environment and with a very appropriate structure. This property is in the heart of the very old and exclusive Chelsea District, one of the former landmarks of the aristocracy of Manhattan Island. All of the Chelsea District is restricted property and the conveying deeds contain covenants which forbid the erection of any business buildings or the operation of any manufactory or trade in the structures or edifices in the neighborhood.
 
For many years that district was the very center of the social and ethical activities of New York City. In that neighborhood and in fact almost adjoining our property are many fine residences of the Colonial and French type. Just three short squares from our site is the old Chelsea Square, bounded by 19th and 20th Streets and 9th and 10th Avenues. In the center of this beautiful park is the General Theological Seminary, built by the Episcopal Church in 1822.
 
The site we have selected is a plot fifty feet wide facing on the north side of Twenty-Third Street with a depth of one hundred and forty-two and a half feet, together with an exit on Twenty-Fourth Street by means of a driveway of fifty-five feet long and eight feet wide. In other words the plot extends into and occupies a large part of the adjoining property on Twenty-Fourth Street and gives us the advantage of the building site on that street. This also greatly enhances the value of the plot.
 
Twenty-Third Street is one of New York’s principal cross-town thorough-fares. It is wider than most streets and is one of the main arteries of transportation from the East to the West side of the Island. At the Western terminal, just a few squares beyond our site, are the several ferries and railroad offices of the Pennsylvania, Baltimore & Ohio, Erie, Central R. R. of New Jersey and Lackawanna Lines, as well as the piers of the great trans-Atlantic Steamship Companies.
 
Through Twenty-Third Street passes several trolley hues and at Ninth Avenue, near our site, is the Ninth Avenue Elevated Railroad station. On Eighth Avenue is a North and South trolley line connecting with all other lines and on Seventh Avenue, just two short squares away, is the Twenty-Third Street station of the new Seventh Avenue Subway, connecting with all oilier rapid transit subway lines.
 
Thus, our new Temple will be easily reached from any part of the Greater City or from any railroad entering New York from the East, West, North or South, and we find it located among New York’s well-known structures, which arc the Flat­iron Building, Masonic Temple, Fifth Avenue Building, Metropolitan Life Insurance Building and many others.
 
 
 
Description of this property
 
The building on the site is a French Villa. This was the feature which attracted us so greatly to this particular place. W e cannot forget our love for France and the debt we owe to her for the existence of our Order in America. It seems especially appropriate that our Supreme Temple should be located in a building so pure in French architecture and so typically “Français” in its environment.
 
The photograph of the building, shown on a following page, reveals the very pleasing and artistic garden in front of the building and the typically French high railing facing the street. The building sets back forty-six feet from this railing providing a drive way to the pretty porch and entrance.
 
The building is of red brick trimmed with grey stone and white marble. It has three stories and high basement and there are seventeen large rooms and several smaller rooms above the ground level. When it was designed spacious halls and rooms were featured for within its walls was to reside the famous actress, Lillian Langtry, and during her occupancy were held many social affairs attended by the ultra-fashionable of America and the nobility of Europe.
 
 
 
 
Description of the interior
 
On entering the building, we note a beautiful wide hall running through the center and the entire depth of the building, on either side of which, facing the front, are large rooms which will be occupied as the Imperator's and the Supreme Grand Secretary’s private offices respectively. In the rear of the Imperator's office, there is a very attractive and comfortable Library with a wide open fire-place, beamed ceiling, paneled walls, specially made bookcases and parquet floor. Here will be found comfortable chairs, large tables and an excellent collection of occult, philosophical and scientific books and manuscripts.
 
In the roar of the Secretary's Office will be located the printing and publishing department of the Order, and to the side of this, adjoining the Secretary's office will be the Chemical, Physical and Biological Laboratories with glass roof and tiled walls and floor. Adjoining the printing rooms there will be an editorial and mailing room.
 
In the large basement will be the store-rooms, the photographic dark-room, the mechanical workshop, the heating plant, etc.
 
A wide-stairway leading from the main entrance hall takes one to the second floor where will be located the Supreme Grand Lodge Room. This will extend East and West across the entire front of this floor. It will be necessary to remove several partitions and to make many important alterations in this part of the building, so that we may have a Lodge Room of exceptional size and with many special appointments and appropriately decorated in the style of Egyptian Temples.
 
Adjoining the Lodge Room, to the East, will be the Master's Retiring Room and the HARMONIUM, a room designed for personal treatment work and equipped with the most modern electrical devices and other facilities utilized in our higher demonstrations. To the side of the Lodge Room, in the West, will be the Chamber and the Antechamber used during the Initiations. These are to be decorated in the style of Egyptian Grottos with long, dark, grotto-like, Temple passageways connecting them, On this floor will also he located the New York Grand Lodge Room, wherein will be held the sessions of that Lodge, the National Lodge and other visiting bodies.
 
On the Third floor are a number of rooms which will be used for treatments, electrical experiments, photographic work, study rooms, guest rooms for out-of-town visitors, and the living quarters of the Guardian of the Temple.
 
 
 
Members are asked to help purchase this property
 
Certainly this new Temple gives us a wonderfully complete edifice for permanent possession, and, as the headquarters of the entire Order, it is the neucleus of all the Lodges in this Jurisdiction and, therefore, becomes of vital importance and interest to every Brother and Sister.
 
This property is valued by the City of New York in its tax assessments at $66’000.00, The sale price has been $75’000.00 for several years, but through the kindly endeavors of our Temple Committee, we have been able to secure the property for two-thirds the asking price, this constituting one of the most fortunate and favorable real estate bargains to be obtained in so exclusive a section of New York.
 
In order to pay for the necessary alterations and decorations and to raise the amount called for in the purchase contract, the American Supreme Council after presenting their plans to various authorities have decided to adopt three different forms of donations and to make an appeal to our members throughout the jurisdiction by means of this monograph and through other personal channels.
 
It must, of course, be understood by our members that the Order, since its inception, has at no time had any features or elements of commercialism and this fact is proven by the nominal initiation fee and dues maintained in all jurisdictions. However, it is a recognized fact that for the proper propagating of our noble work there must be some sort of revenue to pay for the rent, literature, and the thousand and one expenses that are necessary to permit the Order to increase its field of activities.
 
The very first necessity in our human sphere of life is a home, and this is especially applicable to our Order. If it is to meet the great demand that is being made upon it, there must be a neucleus from which will eminate vibrations that will bring joy and peace to those who are so helplessly floundering in the mire of ignorance or darkness. Therefore, is it not fitting and, in fact, our bounden duty to humanity that we who have been fortunate enough to have been permitted to Cross the Threshold, should take it upon ourselves to supply this first great necessity of our noble Order?
 
It is a known fact that every member feels he or she must perform some worthy deed during this incarnation. Brothers and Sisters, here is your opportunity! Do not casually or lightly pass over this subject Reflect and analyze the noble principle upon which our Order was founded — “Universal Brotherhood” Is it an empty phrase to you? Or are you willing to strive to help make it what it means?
 
It is a subject which demands your deepest consideration now, while humanity is in the throes of a world conflict. Let us prepare for the great epoch which past Masters have prophesied would begin with the year 1920. Already evidences point to the fulfilling of this great promise, and Rosaecrucians throughout the world look to America, as the mariner looks to a Beacon Light. Hence, let us all stand united in this great cause and do that which our material conditions permit.
 
The building must be placed in a condition which will be suitable for our work and therefore considerable alterations will have to be made. For this purpose one form of donation known as “Alteration Donations” has been instituted and members who wish to help in this manner should so mark their donation blanks
 
Another form will be the “Furnishing Donations”. This large and spacious building must be decorated and such articles as draperies, furniture, rugs, pictures, antiques and books will he gratefully appreciated.
 
The third form is the “Temple Fund Donations”. According to the terms of our Purchase Contract, we must raise the sum of $50’000.00 by May 1st, 1919 and to meet this obligation a systematic form of donating must be adopted; therefore we suggest the daily thrift plan whereby each member will give a stated sum each day for the next 365 days.
 
According to this if a member can give ten cents per day, for instance, a blank should be filled out for $36.50 and sent to the Treasurer of the Fund and on the first of each month thereafter a remittance of $3.00 should be sent to the Fund. In this manner we will know just exactly what amount will be donated to the Fund at the beginning of our campaign.
 
The money thus received will be deposited in the Pacific Bank of New York in a separate account known as the Supreme Grand Lodge Temple Fund, with the Imperator and Supreme Grand Secretary as Trustees. Of course less or more than ten cents per clay may be donated. Some small personal sacrifices will easily provide this small amount.
 
This is your Supreme Grand Lodge Temple, Brothers and Sisters. It is not a Temple to some ancient or modern idol; it is not a tomb or monument to some great king; nor is it a personal memorial to some Officer or Lodge of our Order. It is to be owned by the whole Order in North America and by its members collectively and individually.
 
From a monetary point of view, it is a remarkable investment. The property is increasing in value and because of the restricted neighborhood the plot of ground will prove an excellent asset should we ever desire to sell the land and build a larger Temple elsewhere. But for many years to come the present building will suffice and every dollar put into the property will yield great returns to the Order, not so much in dollars and cents for the immediate future, but in the increased membership, added prestige, greater service and more efficient help to every Lodge and every member.
 
Brothers and Sisters make this your Temple, a great testimony to service and unselfishness by first having it properly decorated and furnished and then by having it fully paid. Address all donations to the “Treasurer of the Supreme Grand Lodge Temple Fund.” No donations should be made anonymously, for we wish to have a permanent record of every dollar received. But, if you desire, your full name will be with held in the published list of donations, although there is no reason for any one to request this. The Fund has just started and every member in North America should feel it a duty as well as a privilege to give to this Fund. The list of donations will be published in Cromaat each month.
 
THE TEMPLE COMMITTEE.
 
 


»
 
(p.43-49)
 
 
 
 
 
 
SPENCER LEWIS HAS PROBLEMS FOR PAYING
THIS BUILDING
 
In order to acquire this property, Lewis asked the members of AMORC for donations, but this coincided with the fact that one of Lewis's closest associates, Mr. Alfred H. Saunders, who had been editor of AMORC's magazine, The American Rosae Crucis, learning of Lewis's quackery and shady dealings, he resigned from all his positions and renounced his affiliation with AMORC.
 
Many members of AMORC learning that Mr. Sanders, a man who had a great honesty reputation, had left; they also decided to leave AMORC and the result was a significant decrease in membership, which made it very difficult for Lewis to continue paying the mortgage, and that is why he decided to issue bonds at 6% interest with the excuse to undertake the works of the building and conditioning of the new temple.
 
But as time passed and the works and conditioning of the mansion and the temple were not undertaken, the members began to worry and not receiving a satisfactory answer, this caused discontent among many, which led several members to make a complaint against Lewis which in turn led the police raided this property and the arrest of Lewis.
 
These events were published in the New York newspaper The Sun on June 18, 1918 (link) and June 19, 1918 (link).
 
In the end the charges were deemed insufficient and the indictment was withdrawn, but the matter was never fully resolved. Lewis could not continue paying the mortgage and he accepted the offer made by a confectioner industrialist named Willem Reisener who became his protector and financed the transfer of AMORC to the city of San Francisco in 1919.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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