Scottish Rite Cathedral - Wheeling, West Virginia - Masonic Temples on Waymarking.com

The John W. Morris Scottish Rite Cathedral is a square five story stone building on a raised foundation. The building replaced an earlier temple that had been destroyed by fire after only one year of use. Fred. F. Fans and his associate Ben Hamilton designed the current building, which was completed and dedicated in October 1916. The building at five stories was the tallest building in East Wheeling, excepting church spires and the YWC A. The bold geometric shape and recessed rows of windows on the side facades of the lower floors are modem looking but the building has classical ornamentation. Pilasters and Ionic columns break the building's horizontal lines, while wreaths, festoons and emblem sculptures enrich the building facades. Its interior is plush with dual white marble staircases with curving railings inside the front entrance. Marble fireplaces, a duck pin bowling alley in the basement, and a billiard room are included in the building in addition to a ballroom and Egyptian styled auditorium.

- Historic District Nomination

The Scottish Rite Cathedral continues to serve as home for several Masonic organizations.  Due to its large size and the declining membership in the organizations the building has suffered from deferred maintenance.  In recent years through considerable effort by member and outside grants the maintenance and renovation of the building have started and the condition of the building has improved.