Mullewa District Hospital

Parent Place or Precinct

01658 Mullewa District Hospital & Quarters

Statement of Significance

The Mullewa Masonic Lodge has high historic value for its role in the lives of some Mullewa community members since 1926. The place is rare as a Masonic Lodge with furniture and fittings largely intact, and having a high degree of authenticity with only minor alterations since its construction. The building contributes considerably to the built environment of the Mullewa townscape.

Physical Description

Located on the south-west corner of Jose and Moister Streets and set back from both street frontages, the Mullewa Masonic Lodge is a simple rectangular building of local random stone construction built in the Victorian Georgian style. The hipped corrugated iron roof features Dutch gable vents to the east and west and is punctuated by a concrete block chimney to the westem roof-scape. Typical of Masonic Lodge construction, the windows are set high up in the walls under the eaves. There is only one access door which enters the ante room on the north facade. There is feature red brick quoining to the corners of the building and to the window and door surrounds. A Foundation Stone is located to the lower eastern side of the northern wall addressing Moister Street and has the following inscription: "Mullewa Lodge No. 105, WAC. This tablet was unveiled 5th April 1926 by Wor Bro T. Moister. Rev HenryVine P.G. Chaplain D.C. Contractors - D.
Blackwell, S. Pedesen." Internally, the main meeting room remains furnished and decorated for masonry
activity, while the ante room is used for storage. The building has timber floor boards throughout, with carpet
covering the main room floor. There is a small concrete block toilet to the rear (west) of the building. (Refer to
the conservation plan for a detailed description of the building.)

History

On 30 March 1921 a group of men from Mullewa met at the home of the Anglican Minister, Rev. Henry Vine to discuss the formation ot a Mascnic Lcdge in the town, Rev Vine went on to become the Fcundation Master of the new Lcdge which was sponsored by Geraldtcn Lcdge No. 3. The Archbishop of Perth, Charles Owen Leaver Riley officially opened St Andrew's Anglican Church on 16 November 1921, and then the day after he officiated at the consecration and dedication ceremony of the new Lodge (Mullewa No.1 05). Monthly meetings of the Lodge were held in the church until they could obtain their own premises. Work commenced on the construction of the Mullewa Masonic Lcdge in October 1925, with building contractors Messrs D. Blackwell and S. Pedersen appointed as the builders having submitted a tender for 900 pounds. The Lodge was built on land donated by Mr Thomas Moister and was opened on Easter Monday 5 April 1926. By the 1980s Mullewa suffered a declining population which was also reflected in the dwindling membership of the Mullewa Lodge. The use of the building as the meeting place of Lodge 105 ceased in 1993 with the last meeting held on 12 July. Since then the building has been used for storage purposes. (Refer to the conservation plan for a detailed history of the building.)

Condition

Good

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.