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The New
Scientific Roets Offices
The Renovated Kokstad Masonic Hall Heritage Site.
Because of the link between Freemasonry and architecture, it
seems appropriate that we share some history of the architecture
and history of the Kokstad Masonic Hall, which is now
categorised as a “Heritage Site” and which has been renovated
and converted into the new Scientific Roets offices.
The Freemasons make use of architectural symbolism drawn from
the medieval stone masons. When very few people were literate
the use of symbolism was widespread. It was a form of “visual
shorthand” which suggested abstract concepts. Symbols were
easily recognized, and understood. It did not matter where one
lived, one would recognise most, if not all, of the symbols,
although there may have been some local variations. When a
series of symbols were strung together (as with hieroglyphics)
they could be used to tell stories and record history.
In Freemasonry the architectural symbolism includes concepts
such as “a foundation in God using the Square of Justice, the
Plumb Line of rectitude, the Compasses to restrain the passion
and the Rule by which to divide our time into labour, rest and
service to our fellows”.
According to the KwaZulu-Natal Heritage Act, 1997 (Act No. 10 of
1997) a "heritage resource" means “any place or object of
cultural significance including (a) places, buildings,
structures and equipment”, where "structures" are defined as
“any building, works, device, or other facility made by people
and which is fixed to land and any fixtures, fittings and
equipment associated therewith older than 60 years”.
The cornerstone of the Kokstad Masonic Hall was laid on the 20th
of March 1925 and became the new home of the Mount Currie Lodge
of Free Masons which had originally been founded in 1889. Thus,
in 2007 this building was 82 years old.
A Masonic Temple is sometimes referred to as a lodge. A “lodge”
is sometimes defined as both a meeting place for Masons and the
Masons who meet there. When the great cathedrals of the Middle
Ages were being built, the stone masons had special, temporary
buildings built against the side of the cathedral in which they
met, received their pay, planned the work on the cathedral and
socialized after work. This building was called a “lodge”.
However, Freemasons correctly meet as a Lodge, not in a Lodge.
In many countries Masonic “Centre” or “Hall” has replaced the
term “Temple” to avoid arousing prejudice and suspicion.
The Kokstad Masonic building is protected as a heritage resource
thus, permission was obtained to make certain alterations to the
building, on condition that no changes would be made to the
portico of the building.
The portico of this building clearly shows two of the principal
symbols always found in a Masonic Lodge; the square and
compasses. Some Lodges and rituals explain these symbols as
lessons in conduct: for example, that one should "square their
actions by the square of virtue" and to learn to "circumscribe
their desires and keep their passions within due bounds toward
all mankind".
The Masonic before renovation
The square and compass symbols
No structural changes were made to the portico, however, it
received a modern makeover.
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The New Scientific Roets offices
There are two different theories regarding the origin of
Freemasonry.
The first theory is that operative stonemasons who built the
great cathedrals and castles, had lodges in which they discussed
trade affairs. They had simple initiations for apprentices and
fellows and, because there were no City and Guild certificates,
dues cards or trade union membership cards, they adopted secret
signs and words so that they could demonstrate that they were
trained masons when they moved from one building site to
another. In the 1600s these operative “lodges” began to accept
non-operatives as 'gentlemen masons' who gradually changed these
lodges into 'free' or 'accepted' Lodges.
The second theory is that the group who formed Freemasonry (in
the late 1500s and early 1600s) were a group who were interested
in the promotion of religious and political tolerance in an age
of great intolerance. When differences of opinion on matters of
religion and politics were to lead to bloody civil war. What
they were trying to do was to make better men and build a better
world.
At the time, the main means of teaching was by allegory and
symbolism. Thus, they took the idea of building as the central
allegory on which to form their system. The main source of
allegory was the Bible, the contents of which were known to
everyone, described even if they could not read, and the only
building described in detail in the Bible was King Solomon's
Temple, which became the basis of the ritual. The old trade
guilds provided them with their basic administration of a
Master, Wardens, Treasurer and Secretary, and the operative
mason's tools provided them with a wealth of symbols to moralise
upon.
It seems likely that the origins of Freemasonry may be a mixture
of both of these theories. Early Lodges often met in a tavern or
any other convenient fixed place with a private room. According
to Masonic tradition, the “Lodge” of medieval stonemasons was on
the southern side of the building site, with the sun warming the
stones during the day. The social (Festive Board or Social
Board) part of the meeting is thus sometimes called the South.
In this Masonic Building, the “South” has been converted into
spacious offices with a mezzanine floor and a dappled, almost
stellar ceiling.
The “South” before renovations
The “South” after renovations
The hexagrams that can be seen on each of the corner pillars on
the outside of the building are symbols used in many religions.
Most notably it may be recognized as the “Star of David” of
Judaism. However, the hexagram is also important in Christianity
(both Protestant and Catholic) as a symbol of love and trust by
their God; in Islamic literature as the “Seal of Solomon”; in
Hinduism it represents “creation” – a mystical union between the
downward pointing triangle “Shakti” - the sacred embodiment of
femininity - and the upward pointing triangle symbolizing
“Shiva” – the focused aspects of masculinity; in the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon religion) where it
symbolizes the Tribes of Israel; and in Zionism where it is worn
by members as a means or recognition.
Within the context of this Masonic Temple, the hexagons most
probably refer to the “Seal of Solomon” since it is the “Temple
of Solomon” on which most of the Freemasonic symbolism is based.
The hexagrams on the outside pillars
We invite you to enjoy the building not only for its
architectural and historical significance in our town of Kokstad,
but also for the services that our company bring to the
community in capacity building, agricultural, engineering and
enterprise development (See the new computerised Learning Centre
below).
The old dining hall
Dining hall changed into Learning Centre
The entrance hall of the new offices
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