Scottish Rite Masonry in San Antonio dates to 1912, when a charter was granted by the sovereign grand inspector general of Texas. The organization grew slowly until World War I, when many soldiers stationed in San Antonio became members. This site was purchased in 1919, and plans were made to erect a new temple. Construction began in 1922 on this structure. Completed two years later at a cost of $1.5 million, the Cathedral was dedicated in June of 1924. It soon became the center of masonic activities for South Texas.
Features of the five-and-a-half story classical revival temple include an imposing gable front bay, eight Corinthian fluted columns, a terra cotta frieze on the primary temple building, and a stepped central mass. The elaborately sculpted bronze front doors, executed over a two-year period by noted artist Pompeo Coppini (1870-1957), feature figures of George Washington and Sam Houston, both members of the Masonic fraternity. The Scottish Rite Cathedral has been a San Antonio attraction since its construction. In recent years it has become a center for the performing arts and other cultural activties. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1987.
This page last updated: 7/15/2008
| StoppingPoints.com Editorial on Scottish Rite Cathedral: | Pompeo Luigi Coppini (May 19, 1870September 26, 1957) was a sculptor, born in Moglia, Mantua, Italy, the son of Giovanni and Leandra (Raffa) Coppini. He grew up in Florence where he studied at Accademia dell'Arte del Disegno under Augusto Rivalta.
Many of his works are in Austin, Texas, displayed on the grounds of the Texas State Capitol and on the campus of The University of Texas. Coppini's statue of Lawrence Sullivan Ross (Sully), Texas Governor and third president of Texas A&M University is considered one of the most revered works on the A&M campus in College Station and students often place coins at the statue's feet for good luck on exams. Coppini's marble statue of Senator James Paul Clarke stands in the U.S. Capitol. Coppini also designed bronze two bronze sculptures at Baylor University in Waco, Texas former Baylor University President Rufus C. Burleson, located on the Burleson Quadrangle on the Baylor campus (1903), and Baylor University namesake and founder Judge R.E.B. Baylor (1939). One of Coppini's best works, according to the artist, is his bronze sculpture of John Reagan, former U.S. Senator from Palestine, Texas, located in that city's Reagan Park (1911), featuring the personification of the Lost Cause of the Confederacy seated at the base of the monument.
Notable Scultpures by Pompeo Coppini:
- Confederate Soldiers monument (1903) on the Texas State Capitol grounds, on monument designed by Frank Teich
- Rufus C. Burleson bronze statue (1903) at the Burleson Quadrangle on the Baylor University campus in Waco, Texas.
- Terry's Texas Rangers monument (1907) on the Texas State Capitol grounds
- Hood's Texas Brigade (1910) on the Texas State Capitol grounds, Austin
- John H. Reagan bronze statues (1911) in Reagan Park in Palestine, Texas
- John Hunt Morgan Memorial (1911) in Lexington, Kentucky
- Firing Line bronze statue (1912) DeLeon Plaza Victoria, Texas
- Lawrence Sullivan Ross (1918) on the Texas A&M University campus in College Station, Texas
- Charles H. Noyes bronze sculpture (1919) Ballinger, Texas
- Bronze doors of the Scottish Rite Cathedral (dedicated 1924) in San Antonio, Texas[1]
- San Antonio Express-News (1929) building entrance with carvings, San Antonio, Texas
- Littlefield Fountain (1933) on the University of Texas campus
- Cenotaph to the Alamo (1936-40) San Antonio, Texas
- Judge R.E.B. Baylor bronze statue (1939) on the Baylor University campus in Waco, Texas.
- Dr. J. Frank Norris statue at the Top O' Hill Terrace, Arlington, Texas
- George Washington statue (1955) on the University of Texas campus
- Daughters of the Confederacy statue at Broadway Bluff, in Corpus Christi
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Image Gallery
Scottish Rite Cathedral Historical Marker Location Map, San Antonio, Texas
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Related Themes: Texas C.S.A., Texas Confederate States of America, Confederacy, Texas Freemasons, Masonic Lodges, Freemasonry
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