The rededication of the historic Freemasons lodge, in Arrowtown, was the culmination of a seven-year labour of love, the group said.
About 80 representatives of the Grand Lodge team, led by Most Worshipful Brother Stan Barker, the Grand Master of Freemasons New Zealand, plus members of the Lake Lodge of Ophir No 85, in Queenstown, Lodge Wanaka No 277 and the District Grand Lodge of the Otago Lakes District attended the ceremony, which was held in Lodge Arrow Kilwinning No 86 on Saturday.
Architect and heritage specialist Jackie Gillies and architectural historian and objects conservator Eimear O'Connell, both of Queenstown, joined Lakes District Museum director David Clarke, of Arrowtown, as invited guests.
Most Worshipful Brother David Mace, Past Grand Master, of Arrowtown, said the hour-long rededication ceremony was based on the ancient rituals of temples in Old Testament times.
The elements of wine, oil, corn and salt were used and small vials of each were given to the lodge.
"The ceremony goes through the symbolism of using those four elements.
It involves odes, hymns, prayers and appropriate passages of scripture relating to the rededication of the lodge room."
The $220,564 restoration included the surprise rediscovery of a rare 112-year-old dado-level stencilled frieze, which had been hidden behind Pinex walls for about 60 years.
Mr Mace said the Arrowtown lodge had about 20 freemasons who usually met on the third Monday of the month.
The number of young freemasons coming through was encouraging, he said.
