The International Confederation Building

After the formation of the International Confederation and the completion of the Academy, the Great Work continued to grow, embracing most countries in Europe, Central and South America. It quickly became apparent that much larger housing quarters were necessary.

Arrangements were made with Count de Bogdan, the architect who had designed both the Academy and the Administration building, to draw plans for the required building. He was again consulted because of his thorough familiarity with all phases of the Great Work. The preparation and work began in 1949 and the building was completed in 1952.

The former printing and publishing house site was chosen for this new Confederation building. The Confederation building structure actually included and was built around the original printing plant. All 0f the wood, even that used in finishing the great Hall of Initiation, was obtained from Beverly Hall property. The building is two-story construction. On the first floor are the reception hall and what is known as the Temple. The Temple has a seating capacity for 100 persons. On the second floor is a dormitory housing rooms for student boarding at convocation.

The Temple has numerous functions, among them:

A Hall of Initiation

In this room are held the Symbolic Initiatory services of the International Confederation. These include the ceremonial exemplification of the Rosy Cross. In these ceremonials only Members and Associates of the International Confederation may take part.

The Hall of Dedication

This comprises the services, first; of those who, as in Priestly Orders, dedicate their lives to the service of their fellow men. It is, in a sense, the renunciation of a purely personal life, and entering a life of Spiritual concepts. It is the acceptance of strict Personal Responsibility.

The Hall of Ordination

This is the service of Ordination as Minister of the Church of Illumination, with all its responsibilities, or as a Priest of Melchizedek, with all its rights and privileges. Only those who have long been Acolytes in the Great Work and have given ample proof of their capability and responsibility may be ordained.

The Hall of Prayer

The August Fraternity in its Great Work adheres to the ancient practice of prayers for the departed on All Souls' night. On this night services are held in ancient Requiem form, not only for the departed members, but also for their loved ones. These services may be held in the Chapel instead of the Temple when the number attending is not too large. The All Soul’s service is one of the most beautiful offered by the Fraternity and is usually the most widely attended convocation.

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