The Scottish Rite Cathedral in downtown Shreveport hosts weddings, receptions, general sessions, business luncheons, training seminars, product launches, fundraisers and holiday parties, with a 500-seat auditorium and a Grand Ballroom for several hundred guests. The building at 725 Cotton Street serves the Scottish Rite, a Masonic body, and rents its rooms to outside groups. Clients can book the full building or only the downstairs area.
Seminars and company events
For business events, the cathedral offers meeting and exhibit space for staff meetings, general sessions, training seminars and product launches. The three-level auditorium with 500 seats can take a plenary session or a presentation, while the banquet hall and the Grand Ballroom handle luncheons and dinners. The marble lobby and other areas leave room for vendors or exhibits, which suits trade displays and fundraising events. An event manager helps plan the day, and the venue works with vendors it has known for years. The building has also been used for filming and wrap parties.
Weddings and receptions
Couples can say their vows in the auditorium before seated guests, take photographs on the stage or on the paired marble staircases, and hold the meal in the auditorium or the Grand Ballroom. The parlor next to the ballroom gives room for food, a bar, a lounge and quiet seating. The venue also rents for social gatherings and reunions. A virtual tour is available on the website, and in-person tours are by appointment only.
Rooms and capacities
The auditorium seats 500 on three levels. The Grand Ballroom holds 400 guests according to the home page and up to 450 according to the weddings page, so confirm the figure for your layout. The parlor adjoins the ballroom. The building also has a banquet hall, a marble lobby with twin marble staircases, and a full kitchen. Renting only the downstairs area is an option for smaller events.
Catering
The cathedral has a full kitchen, and full dining is available in the Grand Ballroom. The site does not describe an in-house catering service, so ask the event manager which caterers work in the building and what the rules are for alcohol.
History and setting
The site describes the cathedral as one of the most historic buildings in the Shreveport area, with ornate interiors, period lighting and a theatrical auditorium. The building still serves the Scottish Rite, whose degrees and member programs are listed on the same website, and the rental program opens it to weddings and outside events. The setting suits organizers who want a historic interior downtown rather than a hotel ballroom.
Getting there
The address is 725 Cotton Street, Shreveport, LA 71101, in downtown Shreveport. Shreveport Regional Airport is the nearest airport. The office is open Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to noon, which is worth knowing when planning a visit.
