Hope Lodge #145

On August 15, 1857, former Louisiana Governor, Alexandre Mouton donated the property on which the Masonic Hope Lodge #145 built its first building. In 1916, the original single-story lodge was demolished and replaced by this two-story Gothic Revival building to provide for the growing membership for the temple of “Hope Lodge No. 145 F. & A. M.” which stands for “Free and Accepted Masons”. Buildings of this style were rare for a small town like Lafayette was in 1916. The building was designed by local architect, G.B. Knapp and constructed by local contractor, A. Van Dyke. Both were members of the lodge. Some of the other more prominent lodge members listed in the 1916 membership records are Michel Eloi Girard, Onezime Mouton, Andre Martin, Dr. M. E. Saucier, John Stephan, Homer Mouton, John W. Faulk, Aimee Dufour, and Jefferson Caffery.