Since it first opened 64 years ago, the California Masonic Memorial Temple has been an indispensable fixture of the Nob Hill community, hosting both private events for the Masons of California, and also public events for companies and patrons from around the world.
Most people probably know of the CMMT as the home of the iconic SF Masonic, a 3,300-seat concert and events auditorium managed by Live Nation, which puts on 79 events per year. Over the decades, the venue has hosted countless shows by the likes of Billie Holiday, Tony Bennett, and Van Morrison—as well as comedians like Dave Chappelle, Ali Wong, and Amy Schumer.
One of the biggest yearly highlights at the CMMT is the Annual Communication of the Masons of California. The three-day event is the state fraternity’s annual meeting, which culminates with the election of a new Grand Master of California, the highest-ranking Mason in the state. Learn more about Freemasonry at the link below.
Throughout the years, the CMMT has also played host to numerous business and corporate conferences in its large exhibition hall. Located within walking distance of the many iconic hotels of Nob Hill and Union Square, the CMMT Exhibition Hall was for many years one of the most sought-after spaces in the city, particularly prior to the opening of the Moscone Center downtown.
One of the true highlights of California Masonic Memorial Temple is the massive, 70-foot-long “endomosaic” window that dominates the main foyer and depicts the history and contributions of California Masons to the state’s history.
The artwork, created in 1956 by the late Big Sur artist Emile Norman, is neither a typical mosaic nor a stained-glass window. Rather, it is made up of more than 150 hues of crushed glass, plus other materials including soil, plant matter, and metals, all pressed between two large panes of acrylic, or plastic.
The “endomosaic” is made up of 45 panels divided into three vertical sections. From the central all-seeing eye to depictions of Masonic symbols and historical vignettes, the work is chock-full of esoteric iconography and allusions. To learn more about the artwork, click the link below.
The temple was many years in the making. First dreamed up in the immediate aftermath of World War II, it was meant as a memorial to Masons who’d made “the ultimate sacrifice” in the world wars. At the time, the Masonic fraternity was growing rapidly—from about 150,000 members in California in 1946 to almost double that by 1953.
Having outgrown its previous home at 25 Van Ness, the fraternity searched for a suitable location for a new building before settling on the corner of California and Taylor streets, directly across from Grace Cathedral and Huntington Park atop Nob Hill.
Costing more than $6 million to construct (a sum raised entirely through donations from California Masons), the temple was truly a group effort.
The temple’s land purchase and construction costs were funded largely by donations from California Masons. In the early 1950s, members of the fraternity responded to a call to contribute “one day’s labor” to the cause—an average of about $10 per person. In all, the building cost more than $6 million.
Each member and lodge that contributed to the costs was memorialized in an “open book,” which is still displayed on the second floor of the main lobby.
Ground was broken on the temple’s construction on Oct. 27, 1955. Nearly three years later, on Sept. 29, 1958, it was formally dedicated before the Annual Communication of the Masons of California. The temple was finally open. Ground was broken on the temple’s construction on Oct. 27, 1955. Nearly three years later, on Sept. 29, 1958, it was formally dedicated before the Annual Communication of the Masons of California. The temple was finally open.
Over the many years, the California Masonic Memorial Temple has played host to a wide range of community events, from symphonies to Star Trek conventions. The building also continues to host private and corporate events, and the garage is used by residents and visitors of Nob Hill and Union Square.
For nearly 65 years, the CMMT has been an integral part of San Francisco’s business and entertainment scenes—as it will into the future.
Our secret isn’t ancient rituals or secret ceremonies. It’s our members. Meet some of them here. Our members come from all backgrounds and all walks of life. The average age of new members is about 36..
While the Masons of California represents the largest Masonic organization in the state, it isn’t the only one.
