By Andrew Muvishi
In the heart of Marondera’s Central Business District (CBD) is a mysterious building that has fueled speculation and curiosity for years.
At the entry of the building is an inscription “FREDERICK WOODS TEMPLE”.
Some believe it’s a satanic temple, while others speculate it’s a Masonic temple or even mausoleum.
While Google identifies it as a Masonic Temple, no one on the ground has been able to corroborate that into fact.
The building seemed like it was abandoned long time ago.
However the yard is always well kept from time to time and the strange thing is that no-one is ever seen cleaning or cutting grass around the building.
In an effort to clear the speculation, this publication went around Marondera seeking for answers.
However no one has come up with well-informed information.
Marondera Mayor Chengetayi Murowa also acknowledged the mystery.
“It’s an historic building, but no one knows much about it.
“We have heard many mysterious stories about the building,” he said.
Another resident who prefers to be anonymous said they grew up being told that they should not be anywhere close to the building.
“When growing up we were warned not to go near the building due to strange occurrences.
“However no one could specifically disclose the strange things which occur there,” she said.
Another resident said, it’s a grave for white people who were buried there.
The Truth Is Simpler
However, while local residents continue to craft multiple conspiracy theories the truth appears very simple.
The pink building is simply an abandoned Masonic lodge belonging to the Grand Orient of the Netherlands.
According to the Masonic website, The Grand Lodge of Ohio, a masonic lodge is merely a meeting place.
It’s the Christian equivalent of a church building.
“The Masonic lodge is the local organization of the Masonic fraternity.
“It operates under a charter from the grand lodge.
It has two primary functions.
“Provide an opportunity for members to experience fraternal and social bonding through its meetings, programs, and sponsored events.
“Initiate new members according to time-honored ceremonies called degrees.
The Marondera lodge is actually one of five in the country.
Bulawayo also has another called the Alfred Beit Masonic Lodge.
Harare has the other three.
What Are Freemasons
Freemasons belong to the oldest fraternal organization in the world.
It’s a group that begun during the Middle Ages in Europe as a guild of skilled builders.
With the decline of cathedral building, the focus of the society shifted.
Today, “Freemasons are a social and philanthropic organization meant to make its members lead more virtuous and socially oriented lives.”
This is according to Margaret Jacob, professor of history at the University of California.
Thus the Marondera “church” of Freemasons appears to have simply suffered a dearth in congregants and shut down.
However, a sheath of conspiracies around the building has protected it as more yarns are spurn.
