An unassuming building for sale in Denver Heights, just east of downtown San Antonio, might not look like much from the outside. But inside, it harbors a rich history.
Selling as a mixed-use or single-family home, the 6,421-square-foot building has lived many lives, including an era as an Odd Fellows lodge.
The building was originally constructed in 1916 as a Methodist church. In 1953, the church sold the building to the Odd Fellows fraternity. The not-so-secret society converted the property into a gathering space known as Army Lodge No. 95, which it later renamed to Highland Park Lodge No. 95.
Dating back as far as early-18th century London, or even before, the Odd Fellows is an international fraternity with lodges around the world. Some believe the Odd Fellows date back even as far as Medieval guilds, as indicated by their name, which alludes to fellows of “odd trades” — “odd” here meaning assorted. Even though the group is one of the oldest fraternities in the world, its origins remain shrouded in mystery and are largely undocumented.
In 1992, the Grand Lodge Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Texas sold the property to Ballard Pipe Organs, which built pipes for Our Lady of the Atonement Catholic Church in San Antonio, among other houses of worship.
In 2010, John Ballard sold the building to his protégé, Curtis Bobsin, who continued the organ servicing and building business passed on to him by his mentor. Indeed, Bobsin had moved to San Antonio just to work with renowned organ builder John Ballard, who had no heir to whom he could pass down the trade or the business, according to an Express-News report.
In its disarray, the interior of the building still looks like an organ workshop.
The asking price of this flex-zoning building is $699,000, with plans already drawn up to convert it into a two-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath home.
But if you purchase it and hear a faint pipe organ or see the specter of a robed figure in ceremonial regalia, don’t say we didn’t warn you.
This home is listed by Johnny Devora with Devora Realty
All photos and listing info via Realtor.com.
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