Cheyenne Masonic Temple Endowment Fund, Inc.

04/22/2020

The Masonic Temple’s role in aiding the sick during the 1918 flu pandemic was mentioned today in the local newspaper. Check it out here:

As of the writing of this article, Wyoming is under attack by the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. As of Tuesday, April 21, 322 confirmed cases have been reported in the state,

10/06/2018

https://www.wyomingnews.com/news/local_news/local-masonic-lodge-celebrates-th-birthday/article_4ba55ccc-c478-11e8-9636-2753acd2ca59.html

CHEYENNE – A local fraternal organization with deep roots in Wyoming and U.S. history celebrated its 150th anniversary Saturday at an open house at the Cheyenne Masonic Temple.

10/06/2018

On Saturday, September 29th, Cheyenne Lodge #1 celebrated its 150th birthday. About 150 folks from around the state and Colorado came to participate and tour the building. October 9th is the actual anniversary date and the brothers of Lodge 1 will have a regularly scheduled meeting that night to celebrate. Below is the press release put out by Lodge 1. Thanks you for your support of the historic Masonic Temple.

In 1868, Cheyenne, Dakota Territory, was just a year old. Among the citizens were a number of Freemasons who desired to form a Lodge in the new town. They petitioned the Grand Lodge of Colorado for dispensation to form a Lodge in Cheyenne, and the first Masonic Lodge in Wyoming.

The Cheyenne Lodge had its first meeting on February 29, 1868, still acting under dispensation from the Grand Lodge of Colorado. On October 9, 1868, the Grand Lodge of Colorado granted the charter #16 to the Lodge in Cheyenne, and the Cheyenne Lodge was fully operational.

On February 8, 1875, Cheyenne Lodge #16 was granted a new charter to become Cheyenne Lodge #1, under the newly formed Grand Lodge of Wyoming. Cheyenne Lodge #1 had its original hall on the north side of 16th Street just west of Capitol Avenue. It moved to its current location on 1820 Capitol Avenue in 1921, in a building that was constructed in 1901 by another Masonic body, the Wyoming Consistory.

Although many notable Wyomingites have been, or are, Masons, Tim Forbis, current Master of Cheyenne Lodge #1 points out that, “One of the cornerstones of Freemasonry is the equality of our members. No matter who you are, we are equals in Lodge. Masonry is built on a sound moral character, not on what your station in life might be. Although many prominent elected officials and others have been Masons, the focus of Masonry is making a good man better through fraternity and community service.”

Forbis continued, “Freemasonry in Cheyenne, and Wyoming, is intertwined with the history of our state. From the first known Masonic meeting in Wyoming at Independence Rock on July 4th, 1862, to the formation of Cheyenne Lodge #1 in 1868, to the current day, Masons have been an integral part of our communities and the state as a whole.”

Freemasonry is the oldest fraternal organization in the world, officially beginning over 300 years ago, when four Lodges of Freemasons met in London, England and formed the first Grand Lodge in the world. By 1733, Freemasonry was officially established in the American Colonies. There are currently 45 operational Lodges in Wyoming.

04/17/2018

We replaced the plywood backboards with plexiglass break away rims. Thanks for all the support in revitalizing the gym. We’re keeping the historic building alive and working.

04/12/2018

The gym floor was just refinished and got an upgrade in paint. We had an inaugural full court game tonight and can report that it’s in great shape. Thank you to the members and public who donated money towards the gym repairs!

12/05/2017

The Cheyenne Masonic Temple houses the library of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Wyoming. A recent artifact was donated to the library by the family of Past Grand Master Samuel Corson. Brother Corson was a Past Master (1896) of Cheyenne Lodge #1 that meets in the historic lodge building. And, he was the Grand Master from 1901 to 1902, when the building was first built. Many more artifacts in the library demonstrate the importance of this building to the community and Masonry.

Please consider donating to the Cheyenne Masonic Temple Endowment Fund, Inc. a section 501(c)(3) public charity to help ensure that these treasures have a safe home for the future.

11/28/2017

A big thank you to the folks who have made a charitable donation over this past year. We are building this Endowment Fund one donation at a time and appreciate those who are helping set up a way to preserve our historic Temple for the future. Thank you for giving.

08/09/2017

Happy 150th Birthday to the City of Cheyenne. In seven months, Cheyenne Lodge # 1 will celebrate a 150 year milestone too. Wyoming Lodge # 16 was granted dispensation from the Grand Lodge of Colorado on February 22, 1868 to form a Lodge in the City of Cheyenne. Wyoming Lodge #16 later became Cheyenne Lodge # 1 when the Grand Lodge of Wyoming was formed. Lodge # 1 calls the Cheyenne Masonic Temple its home, which is a historic structure in downtown. As you can see, Masonry has been alive and well in the City of Cheyenne from the beginning!

Thank you for following this page. We appreciate the support.

03/02/2016

On this day in 1903, the fire that lasted three days and consumed most of the Cheyenne Masonic Temple was finally put out. The only items that remained after the fire were the alter in the blue lodge room that is still used to this day, and the beautiful stained glass windows in the Memorial Room.

Please consider making a tax deductible, charitable donation to the Cheyenne Masonic Temple Endowment Fund, Inc. to support the upkeep of this historic building. You can mail donations to the Cheyenne Masonic Temple Endowment Fund, Inc. at 1820 Capitol Avenue, Cheyenne, WY 82001.

02/28/2016

On this day in 1903 a devastating fire burned down the Cheyenne Masonic Temple. The Temple was only three years old at the time. Undeterred, the Masonic Brotherhood not only rebuilt the temple by Fall that same year, but they added on to the original building. The addition included a swimming pool and a bowling alley.

The building still stands today thanks to the generous Brothers who came before us. Would you do the same today?

Please consider making a tax deductible, charitable donation to the Cheyenne Masonic Temple Endowment Fund, Inc. to ensure the existence of this historic building for future generations. You can mail donations to the Cheyenne Masonic Temple Endowment Fund, Inc. at 1820 Capitol Avenue, Cheyenne, WY 82001.

02/24/2016

Jim Taylor today asked where Masons in Cheyenne met between 1874 and 1901, when the Temple on 19th and Capitol was built. This question was posed to the Grand Librarian this evening during his office hours at the Wyoming Grand Lodge Library housed in the Cheyenne Temple.

According to the Grand Librarian, Masons in Cheyenne met first in a rented upstairs room on the 200 block of 16th Street. Next they moved to a rented space on the second floor of the building on the 200 block of 17th Street. The first Masonic Temple in Cheyenne was built in 1878, located at 314 West 16th Street.

Thanks Jim for asking a good question and taking an interest in the Building.