Masonic Hall, Pinjarra

Statement of Significance

Masonic Hall is a fine Federation Gothic building with a particularly well resolved entrance
portico.
Masonic Hall is a landmark on the western approach to Pinjarra.
Masonic Hall is associated with the McLarty family, who were prominent in the history of
Pinjarra, the Shire of Murray and the State.

Physical Description

Masonic Hall is a single-storey brick and corrugated iron building in the Federation Gothic
style, with later utilitarian additions constructed in timber frame, clad in asbestos cement.

History

Soon after the Grand Lodge of Western Australia was officially declared, a group of men in
the Murray region – led by John Pollard McLarty, John McNab, Alfred Thomas and William
Warwick – began planning the formation of their own Masonic Hall in Pinjarra. In the
meantime, they met in the Mechanics’ Institute.
In July 1903, contractors Crothers and Hodd entered into a contract for the erection of
Masonic Hall, Pinjarra, which was proposed to be ‘a fine brick building, up to-date in every
way’.
In August 1903, Pinjarra Town Lot 42 was purchased by McLarty, McNab, Thomas and
Warwick, from the Church of England for £55.
On 8 November 1903, the foundation stone of Masonic Hall was laid by Hon. Bro. Edward
McLarty. The Hall was constituted and consecrated on 15 April 1904 by the Grand Master,
the Hon. J W. Hackett, with the assistance of Bro. Rev. Edward Clairs, and henceforth
identified as Murray Lodge 69. After the official ceremony, a banquet was held at the nearby
Exchange Hotel.
In 1920, Kingsley Fairbridge, the founder of the Fairbridge Farm School, was initiated into
Murray Lodge 69.
In the 1980s, an asbestos sheeting addition was erected at the rear of the hall to provide
additional kitchen and dining facilities. In the mid 1990s, all external walls of the original red
brick hall were painted cream.
Owing to lowering membership numbers, Murray Lodge 69 integrated with Mandurah Lodge
262 and a new combined lodge building at Furnissdale commenced construction in 1998.
The Masonic Hall has been unoccupied for some time; however the building has been
undergoing lengthy and extensive conservation work. In 2012 approval was granted to
demolish the 1980s supper room to the south.

Integrity/Authenticity

High

Condition

Fair

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

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