ABOUT OUR BUILDING

The Manchester Masonic Temple traces its routes back to the founding of Washington Lodge No. 61 of Manchester, NH. On June 8, 1857, the Lodge was Chartered by the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire, Free & Accepted Masons. Lafayette Lodge No. 41 moved from Bedford to Manchester in this period and jointly shared quarters with Washington Lodge for many decades. At the close of World War I there was a surge in Membership in Freemasonry around the country including Manchester. Through this increased Membership there was a desire to provide larger accomodations.

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On Saint John's Sunday June 24, 1925 under the direction of the Most Worshipful Bela Kingman, Grand Master of Masons of the State of New Hampshire, both Washington Lodge No. 61 and Lafayette Lodge No. 41 convened and processed to the present-day site of 1505 Elm Street. There the Grand Lodge proceeded to Dedicate a Cornerstone for the New Lodge Building. Work progressed but it took many years to complete. On May 12, 1933 the Building was formally dedicated and opened. The Grand Lodge of New Hampshire conducted a centennial dedication of the cornerstone laying on June 29, 2025 with MW Grand Master Scott R. Borthwick presiding.​

Since this time the Lodge has continued to be used for Masonic Lodge meetings, Grand Lodge meetings and public events. Presently the Building Association is undertaking a Capital Campaign to provide needed upgrades so the building can stand proudly into the future. In October of 2025 the Board of Directors changed the name of our organization to the ​New Hampshire Masonic Center to better represent it's statewide roots and appeal.