Masonic Lodge 54 AF&AM - Sterling, CO

Masonry is the world’s oldest and largest fraternity for men. Although the details of Masonry’s beginnings are lost, it is certain that in 1717 four lodges met in a London coffeehouse and formed the first Grand Lodge or association of lodges.

Masonry entered this country early in our history. Benjamin Franklin, an active Mason, printed the first Masonic book published in the United States. George Washington and other American leaders were active Masons.

As Masons moved across the continent, they brought Masonry with them. The first recorded Masonic meeting in Colorado was held in the middle of the nineteenth century; the first Rocky Mountain News contained a notice of a Masonic meeting. The Colorado Grand Lodge was formed in 1861.

Freemasons have been supporting families and family values since our inception. We have organizations open only to men, only to women, for couples, for boys and for girls. For further information on some of our various organizations. The Masonic family.

The First Meeting of Sterling Lodge #54 A.F. & A.M. was held on May 20 A. D. 1883 A. L. 5883.

It was only natural that with the building of Sterling, a small band of men should be inspired to keep alive in the community the great ideals and tenets of the institution of Masonry.

We find that there were at that time, eleven of these Masonic brothers and it would be indeed interesting to know all of the details as to how the movement for the establishment of the Lodge originated and grew.

The nearest Lodge at that time was located at Greeley, Colorado, a trip of two days at least, by saddle or buckboard. Probably the preliminaries occupied a matter of two or three years, as Masonic intercourse at that time, in this section of the country, was slow at its very best, but finally, after a great deal of study and preparation, application was made through Occidental Lodge No. 20, of Greeley, for a dispensation, granting the Masons of this community the right to organize a Lodge.

This application was signed by the following Brothers E. S. Ebbs, S. B. Robuck, J. M. King, J. C. Scott, Morris Davis, T. J. Barger. J. C. Kendel, Henry Wilson, Allen Sanders, J. L. Hicks and H. C. Sherman, and the following men were nominated in this petition for the three principal offices Edward S. Ebbs, W. M.; Samuel B. Robuck, S. W.; James M. King, J.W.; and on May 20, 1883, the first meeting was held of Sterling Lodge, U. D.