Centennial Lodge #84

Centennial Lodge #84 is a fairly new lodge. It was chartered on Jan. 26, 2002 by the Grand Lodge of Colorado with Most Worshipful Grand Master Joseph E. Hadad presiding.  On Feb. 28, 2002, Judge Stephen M. Munsinger, Past Grand Master of Colorado and a member of Centennial Lodge #84, along with Grand Lecturer John H. Buchanan, installed the new line of lodge officers.

However, Centennial Lodge #84 has a rich history going back over 100 years. Four different lodges formed Centennial # 84. They are Temple # 84, Emulation # 154, Palestine # 151, and Perfection # 193.

Temple # 84 and Emulation # 154 merged to form Emulation # 84.  Palestine # 151 & Perfection # 193 merged in 1996 to form Centennial # 151. Then, Emulation #84 & Centennial # 151 merged to form Centennial # 84.

History of the Four Lodges

TEMPLE LODGE # 84

In 1865 a Masonic Hall Association was formed by the four local Masonic Bodies: Denver Lodge # 5, Union Lodge # 7, Denver Chapter # 2, Royal Arch Masons, and Colorado Commandery # 1, Knights Templar.

In 1881 the Masonic Hall Association became the Masonic Temple Association with a capital of $100,000.00, built to this amount from the original $4,000.00 which each of the above named bodies subscribed. There were five sites investigated and the one at 16th and Welton, where the original Temple now stands was chosen. The new building was dedicated July 3, 1890.

This was the first Lodge chartered in the new Temple and was named Temple Lodge. The lodge was chartered on Sept. 16th and 17th, 1890.

PALESTINE LODGE # 151

The first meeting when any definite action was taken toward the formation of Palestine Lodge was held January 2, 1918. On Dec. 11, 1917 General Allenby, leading the British army, had entered Jerusalem, which event led to the naming of the lodge. General Allenby was later informed of this and his letter in reply is one of the lodge’s treasures.

A dispensation was granted on June 1, 1918 and the lodge was chartered on Sept. 18, 1918. M. W. Bro Clarence M. Kellogg constituted the lodge on Sept. 30, 1918. There were 58 charter members and on Nov. 30, 1960, the membership had increased to 471.

Special Note: We are very proud to have received a “Breeches” Bible, as part of the merger. The “Breeches” Bible is a Geneva Bible, printed in London, England, in 1599. This translation of the Bible was made by a group of Protestant scholars who fled from England to Geneva to escape persecution by Queen Mary. The version was first published in 1560 and was called the "Breeches” Bible because its substitution of the word "breeches" for "aprons" in Genesis 3:7.

This Bible is 89 years older than that on which George Washington was obligated as an Entered Apprentice by Fredericksburg Lodge of Virginia on Nov. 24, 1752.

Even though our “Breeches” Bible is in an airtight container, to preserve it, we still use it on our Altar, on special occasions.

EMULATION LODGE # 154

The dispensation was signed Feb. 5, 1921 and delivered to the 41 signers in the halls of South Denver Lodge # 93.

The name "Emulation" was chosen from the passage in the Monitor which reads: "brotherly love and affection; that cement which unites us into one sacred band of friends and brothers, among whom no contention should ever exist, save that noble contention, or rather emulation, of who best can work and best agree.

Through the old English Lodge # 21 in London, England has been named Emulation, there were few lodges in America.

Sept. 21, 1931, the Grand Lodge chartered the lodge as Emulation # 154.

PERFECTION LODGE # 193

Perfection Lodge # 193, had it’s beginning on Feb. 21, 1967, when some 20 or more Master Masons met at the Scottish Rite Temple of Rocky Mountain Consistory, with the thought of forming a Masonic Club. Some of these Masons have previously discussed the forming of a club or even another lodge to further the interest of Masonry, to interest sojourning brothers and to be a general benefit to the Fraternity.

It was voted and carried until letters of dispensation were granted; the club would be known as Perfection Masonic Club. A total of 15 meetings were held as Perfection Masonic Club.

On Oct. 4, 1967,  in Rocky Mountain Consistory Building, 1770 Sherman Street, Denver, Colorado, Most Worshipful Bro. Charles T. Gore, Grand Master of Colorado. The Grand Master relinquished the gavel to Worshipful Bro. George D. Temple and directed him to open a lodge of Master Masons.

Past Grand Masters’ of Colorado

 There are six Past Grand Masters who were members of the above lodges and are part of our history:

 Ernest LeNeve Foster -1890

 William D. Wright - 1892

 Arthur E. Jones - 1906

 Francis J. Knauss - 1940

 Lloyd J. Jamerson - 1978

 Stephen M. Munsinger - 1998