from earlier
gsv
"In my noirish mind I've decided this is a cult."
Quote:
Originally Posted by HossC
Googling the address (6826 Pine Avenue) led me to The Rosicrucian Order, AMORC. From rosicrucian.org:
The Rosicrucians are a community of mystics who study and practice the metaphysical laws governing the universe.
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Thanks for this
Hoss.
I couldn't find any additional information about 6826 Pine Ave,
....but I found another AMORC location on Gramercy Place (below)
gsv
The following information is from the St. Andrews Square Neighborhood Association website.
"One of the oldest institutions in our midst is the Rosicrucian Lodge located at 148 South Gramercy Place. It is Hermes Lodge #48, a branch of the Rosicrucian Order (AMORC), and the oldest such lodge in Southern California. AMORC, which stands for Antiquus Mysticusque Ordo Rosae Crucis, is not a religion, but a fraternity dedicated to carrying on ancient mystery traditions said to have originated in Egypt.
Hermes Lodge #48, founded in 1927, spent a decade in temporary quarters until members purchased the house at 148 Gramercy Place for $12,500 dollars (with a down of $4,200). It was a two-story craftsman house, full of anterooms and closets, and, after some modification, well suited to the needs of the lodge. The new facility was dedicated on May 8, 1937. Its space, converted to temple use, included a Rose Temple where initiations took place; a Blue Temple and a Green Temple, used as classrooms; and a Convocation Temple; there were also wardrobes, dressing rooms, a library, offices, a kitchen and a garden house. In 1937, there were two “Convocations” every Sunday: one in English and one in Spanish.
After the earthquake of 1971 the building had to be torn down. For two years, members met at the Masonic Hall on Larchmont Boulevard. In January of 1972, a zone variance was granted (the 100-block of North Gramercy being strictly residential). The building we see now was finished in April of 1973. The lodge sponsors open meetings once a month, the third Wednesday, at 7:30."
–Henrietta Cosentino
I spent a good portion of my afternoon searching for a photograph of the original "
two story craftsman house."
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I was aware of the Rosicrucians at an early age because of their ads in magazines like Popular Mechanics/Science (my dad had a subscription)
Here's a good example even though this is way before my time.
Oct. 1947
http://blog.modernmechanix.com/rosic...bove-so-below/
I would have especially liked this one if I were a kid around 1933.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/435090...=0&w=208&h=480
And here's a rare glance inside a Rosicrucian 'Temple', dated 1913.
Private Collection / Bridgeman Art Library
They say it isn't a religion, but their symbolism certainly looks religious if you ask me.
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on a side-note:
Directly behind 'Hermes House' is this beautiful branch of the Los Angeles public Library.
gsv
http://www.saintandrewssquare.org/neighborhood-history/
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