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  • 21 Aug, 2019

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Kora Temple
The Kora Temple is a historic Masonic building at 11 Sabattus Street in Lewiston, Maine. The temple was built in 1908 by the Ancient Arabic Order, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. The Shriners are a fraternal organization affiliated with Freemasonry and are known for their charitable works such as the Shriners Hospitals for Children which provide free medical care to children. The Kora Temple serves as a ceremonial space and clubhouse for the Shriners. The temple building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 for its distinctive Moorish-inspired architecture.

Description and history

The Kora Temple is located just northeast of Lewiston's downtown area, on a parcel of land bounded by Blake, Main, and Sabattus Streets. It is a three-story brick building, with a flat roof topped by a pair of onion domes. The main facade is ornate, with groups of pointed arch windows trimmed in terra cotta filigree predominating. The main entrance is set in a bulbous rounded arch, and there is a band of smaller but similarly arched windows on the third floor above. The building cornice consists of vaulted sections interspersed with pointed-arch niches similar in shape to the windows.

The Kora Temple was organized in 1891, and originally met in Masonic lodge facilities on Lisbon Street, before acquiring a wood-frame building at this site. This temple was built in 1908 to a design by architect George M. Coombs, at a cost of $100,000. The building reflects Moorish and Exotic Revival architectural styles. The interior is ornately decorated with floor-to-ceiling murals, gold filigree, and Tiffany chandeliers. The murals, which depict scenes from Arabic and Islamic history and decorate the Temple's dining hall, were painted by Harry Cochrane, a Shriner and accomplished Maine artist. He accomplished this between 1922 and 1927. The paintings were restored in the 1970s.

  • Stairway
    Stairway
  • Ceiling in dining hall
    Ceiling in dining hall
  • Wall detail in dining hall
    Wall detail in dining hall
  • Balcony in dining hall
    Balcony in dining hall
  • Balcony in auditorium
    Balcony in auditorium
  • Portion of large mural in dining hall
    Portion of large mural in dining hall
  • Kora Shrine Temple, Lewiston, ME; from a c. 1915 postcard
    Kora Shrine Temple, Lewiston, ME; from a c. 1915 postcard

See also

References

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. ^ Skelton, Kathryn (15 March 2009). "Kora Shrine Temple at 100". Sun Journal. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  3. ^ "NRHP nomination for Kora Temple". National Park Service. Retrieved 2016-05-20.
  4. ^ "Kora Shrine Temple". Video. Sun Journal. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  5. ^ Livingston, Rich (14 November 2010). "Kora Temple: Familiar mystery". Sun Journal. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
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