Construction of the India Temple Shrine Building was started in October 1922 and completed the following year at a cost of $1.3 million.

[2] Financial conditions during the Great Depression forced the Masons to vacate the India Temple Shrine Building less than 10 years after it opened.

It sat empty until December 1945, when it was sold at auction to Joe D. Morris, president and founder of the Home State Life Insurance Company.

[2] The building was sold for a second time in December 1977 to Dan Hogan, owner of the Law Journal Record Publishing Company and underwent additional interior renovations in 1978.

It sat vacant for five years with the interior exposed to the elements as a result of roof damage and broken windows.

[4] The rest and majority of the building remained largely vacant for over 20 years until Heritage Trust Company purchased it in 2015 for $4.255 million.

The top three levels on the east side feature recessed windows, Ionic engage columns, capitals and a projecting cornice.

The museum, opened to the public on February 19, 2001, occupies three stories with its entrance located on the west elevation of the building (using the address of 620 N. Harvey Avenue).

Many of the temple's original marble and features were kept, including the floor in the lobby and the stone steps leading into the building's east side.