Jack White has saved the largest Masonic temple in the world from a $142,000 tax debt. Apparently, the Detroit structure had racked up quite the bill and was set for foreclosure until an anonymous donor stepped in to pay their debt. Now, Masonic Officials have announced that it was the former White Stripes frontman who paid the whopping sum in order to keep the temple open.
Not only did White’s mother work there as an usher when he was growing up, but he’s also played several shows there, so the structure had a lot of sentimental value to him. Apparently a press release shared by the Masons states that both Jack and his mother have a “profound love for the gothic structure.” After looking at photos of the temple, it isn’t hard to see why—it’s a gorgeous historical structure.
“In light of Jack’s generosity and belief in the importance of a strong, vital Temple that should and will be available to future generations of Detroiters, the Masonic Temple Association will be naming, in Jack’s honor, our Cathedral Theater the ‘Jack White Theater,’” said Detroit Masonic Temple Association President Roger Sobran. “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.”
Surely Jack will play a show in the space soon to coronate his new namesake theater? If he does, the show is sure to be sold out—despite the theatre’s impressive 27,878 square foot size, it seats just over 1,500 people.
(WXYZ)
