Could The Masonic Temple Really Be Haunted

Ghost Hunters from B.O.G.U.S. Invite Public To Join Their Investigation

October 15, 2008
By: Stephen Kent

After years of speculation, the professionals have been called in to investigate reports of ghosts, spirits and haunts in the old Masonic Temple in downtown Bay City. A team of paranormal technicians from B.O.G.U.S (Benign Observers of Ghosts Under Stairs) is on site to answer the questions.

The red sandstone temple at 700 N. Madison almost saw its end several years ago when the Masons found it was not economical to maintain the structure. On the virtual eve of demolition the Bay Arts Council put together a plan to purchase the building and make it a center for the arts. Built in 1892, the temple is considered one of the nation's finest examples of a Masonic lodge center, the Temple is a jewel of Bay City's history downtown.

The B.O.G.U.S. investigation will take a hard look at the spiritual nature of the building. As a completely above board organization B.O.G.U.S. has invited the public to join the search by touring the building on Friday and Saturday nights through Halloween. An entrance fee of $10 for adults and $6 for students and seniors will be charged with proceeds going toward the Temple restoration project.

The "Haunted Temple" event is sponsored by the Bay Arts Council. "Cary Ewing has been talking about this for three years" said Joy Butler, Arts Council Executive Director. "We're supporting the event but it's Cary's vision and he's pulled it all together."

Ewing recruited about thirty junior and senior high students, friends from Delta College and interested area adults to work on the project. "We're developing this as a huge interactive play" said Ewing. "It will be a theme park style event" he added. The tour is scripted and guided. Besides the search for ghosts, visitors will get a unique look at the historic Masonic Temple.

The public will enter from the street on the south. The Arts Council will be selling refreshments and other items there. "We think it will be like a street party" said Butler. Small groups will be escorted through all three floors of the temple. There will be stair climbing so guests should be prepared.

"It's great to see this interest in the building" said Arts Council President Guy Greve. "We (the Arts Council) are providing support but it's all being put together by Cary and his volunteer group." The Arts Council made a number of safety improvements, including adding seventeen more smoke detectors, just for this event.



B.O.G.U.S. technicians check their equipment for an evening of ghost hunting.

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B.O.G.U.S. control center is the heart of the high tech monitoring system.

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The ghost of SVSU student Chris Halm has been said to appear to some visitors.

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The web covered grand stair case.

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Do ghosts actually play piano?

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The game and pool room on the second floor.

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The ghosts of 13 year olds Rachel Griffin and Haley Kowalski, once known to be students at Handy Intermediate School.

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"The BUZZ" - Feedback From Readers

Anonymous Says:       On October 19, 2008 at 07:18 PM no....it is not haunted....my daughter went there and she was very disappointed with the waste of money sent. She felt like it was a big scam. Thanks Masonic Temple for the big nothing show.

Anonymous Says:       On November 06, 2008 at 10:45 PM Your daughter wasn't impressed...poor thing. It was GREAT! Thank you Masonic Temple, and thank you Bay City.

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Stephen Kent
Steve Kent and his family have lived in Bay City for 30 years. He is VP of Technical Services at MMCC which produces MyBayCity.Com. Kent is active in many Bay City civic organizations. More from Stephen Kent

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