Where North and New Jersey streets meet, the Old National Centre keeps the oldest extant stage house in downtown Indianapolis. Once known as the Murat Shrine Temple and the Murat Shrine Center, this building is owned by the Murat Shriners of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. The theater portion is called the Murat Theatre at Old National Centre and houses the oldest extant stage house in downtown Indianapolis.
It is the only Shrine Center in the world with a name of French origin and the largest Shrine Center in North America. The story here began when five Freemasons in 1882 wanted a Shrine organization in Indianapolis; they joined the Shrine Temple at Cincinnati, Ohio, and enlisted that temple’s help. The local organization, called the Indianapolis Shriners, was given its charter on June 4, 1884.
Their first potentate, John T. Brush, served from 1884 to 1897. Lew Wallace and Thomas Taggart were among the first Ceremonial Class in 1885, and by the end of that first year there were 105 members. The Indianapolis Valley of Scottish Rite even gave them the Townsley and Wiggans "Pork House.
Notice the corner of North and New Jersey streets where the Old National Centre still stands.