Afan Masonic Temple

Afan Masonic Temple

A classical-style temple of two storeys with a tall narrow gable end facade. The building is constructed of red brick with pronounced pale stone dressings.

The principal facade faces west and is three bays wide, with a triangular pediment heavily moulded and dentilled. The lower storey features wide rusticated quoins and pilasters rising from a dressed plinth. A moulded string course runs between the storeys, supporting four tapering Ionic pilasters that divide the bays and support an entablature. Each bay contains an oculus in a moulded stone surround, with keystones above and below set within panels of foliate decoration and ears. Underneath each oculus is a square stone tablet in a frame with moulded cornice and two dentilled corbels. Within the triangular pediment is a large stone masonic emblem, circular with scrolls and bearing the square and compass motif. Attached beneath are three foliate bands with stylised writing, reading 'Afan / Masonic / Temple'.

The sides of the temple are roughcast. To the upper storey are five oculi within red brick surrounds and vertical and horizontal glazing bars. Beneath the oculi to the south side are tall windows with segmental heads and red brick surrounds containing UPVC glazing. At the left end is a small porch with a late 20th-century door facing south with an overlight and high segmental head, and a UPVC window above. The north side is partly obscured by late 20th-century additions, most of which have flat roofs. The rear is roughcast with similar windows—three to the lower storey and two above. A late 20th-century gabled range adjoins to the north, with one window to the rear side of the entrance bay.

The porch leads to a round-arched doorway into the west side of the building with a half-lit panelled door, matching side lights and a high overlight, all containing Art Nouveau glass. Inside is a stairhall with a dog-leg stair in the southeast corner. The stairs have flat openwork balusters and tapering square-section newel posts with recessed panels. The newels are decorated with square and compass motifs and have domed heads. From the stairhall, the dining hall lies to the right, two small rooms to the left, and service areas straight ahead. The dining hall is five bays wide with flat moulded cross beams and ceiling roses with reeded mouldings. Dado rail, picture rail and panelled doors run throughout.

Upstairs, the temple occupies the upper storey above the dining hall. A large round-arched recess at the north end contains pilasters, a moulded arch and scrolled keystone. The recess houses a pipe organ fronted by flat timber balustrading, raised and reached by curved stairs to the east side. In front of the organ is a wood-panelled pedestal. At the opposite south end is a similar pedestal in front of the Master's chair. Between the pedestals, towards the north end, are two round tapering columns of brown marble with fluted bowl capitals bearing beading. These support globes. The walls are half-panelled to door-shoulder height. Deep moulded coving with a decorative frieze runs around the space, with plaster moulding to the ceiling decorated with flowers and saltire crosses. Blocked wooden fireplaces in classical style stand to each side of the temple. Towards the south end are opposing round-arched recesses at high level containing busts. Stained glass to the oculi bears small masonic motifs.

Further rooms lead right from the landing, including a committee room with a half-lit door and overlight containing Art Nouveau glass, and moulded coving. The coffee room features a large black and green marble fireplace to the east supporting a wooden canopy with scrolls in relief flanked by costumed soldiers.