Jack White Saves Masonic Temple In Detroit

Jack White recently saved a Masonic Temple in Detroit from foreclosure.

Although the musician originally made the donation anonymously, word soon spread that it was his money that prevented the temple from being put on the market.

Detroit Masonic Temple Association president Roger Sobran said the Temple’s Cathedral Theater will be renamed the Jack White Theater to honor White’s contribution.

“Jack’s donation could not have come at a better time and we are eternally grateful to him for it. Jack’s magnanimous generosity and unflinching loyalty to this historic building and his Detroit roots is appreciated beyond words,” Sobran explained.

The Masonic Temple, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, owed a $142,000 tax bill. If someone didn’t cough up the money, then it would have gone to auction. In an effort to keep the venue in the hands of those who care about it most, Jack White decided to pay off what was owed.

The Detroit native has a special connection to the venue. In addition to playing there nine times over the course of his career, White visited the place on several occasions as a child when his mother worked there as an usher.

Jack White isn’t the only acclaimed musician to have performed at the theater. The Who and the Rolling Stones also took the famous Detroit stage.

The 14-story Masonic Temple takes up an entire city block and contains around 1,000 rooms. This particular theater sports 1,586 seats. The building was days away from being put up for sale when Jack White swooped in to save the day. Thank to his generosity, the theater now bears the musician’s name.

“We could not be more humbled to bestow this honor on Jack,” Sobran explained.

Are you a fan of Jack White? What do you think about the acclaimed musician paying the Masonic Temple’s $142,000 tax bill?

[Image via Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com]