The Columbus Community Building had its grand opening a couple of weeks ago, and now there's going to be a special ceremony to lay the cornerstone this weekend.
The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Nebraska, along with its grand officers, is organizing the event.
The ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 22nd, 2023, on the third level of the Community Building in the Community Room. Grand Marshal Eric BenSalah is leading the coordination efforts, with support from the local lodge, Lebanon Lodge No. 323, and particularly from local resident and member Bob Wilbur.
BenSalah explained that Freemasons, who are the world's oldest fraternity of men, base their values on the ethical principles of the buildings of King Solomon's temple. The Cornerstone Laying Ceremony holds symbolic importance.
Interestingly, the tradition of cornerstone ceremonies goes back to the 1700s. BenSalah mentioned that this Saturday's ceremony will stay true to tradition and be quite similar to the one conducted by George Washington, the first U.S. president and a Freemason, when he laid the cornerstone of the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 18, 1793. Sadly, the original cornerstone was lost, and despite numerous attempts, the artifacts inside it have never been found. Similar ceremonies were held for the new Columbus Police and Fire departments when they opened to the public a few years ago.
"The Cornerstone Ceremony represents stability; it has withstood the test of time," remarked BenSalah.
Leading the ceremony will be the Grand Master of Masons of Nebraska, Most Worshipful John L. Millington. The City was invited to contribute a time capsule with a few items, including a Columbus Community Building Grand Opening pamphlet, business cards of City leaders, and a survey marker.
City Engineer Rick Bogus expressed excitement about being part of the festivities and extended gratitude to the organizers for making it happen.
"A cornerstone placement is a meaningful ceremony that signifies the substantial completion of an important milestone project," said Bogus.
Columbus Mayor Jim Bulkley will also speak during the event to mark the occasion. Both Mayor Bulkley and BenSalah are hopeful that the community will attend and be part of this special day.
BenSalah emphasized that they don't work as operative stonemasons, so they rely heavily on symbolism to communicate the teachings of freemasonry. Cornerstone ceremonies are an essential part of this symbolic communication, where tools used by the builders of King Solomon's temple, such as the square, level, and plumb, are employed to teach and remind them of moral and ethical virtues.
The public is encouraged to attend as this is one of the few public events hosted by Masons and is known to be a beautiful and memorable ceremony.
You can find the Columbus Community Building located at 2500 14th St.