DENVER, COLORADO
William W. Cooper Lodge No. 172 owes its beginning to the interest of four brethren in forming a new lodge. After giving the matter considerable publicity, the first preliminary meeting was held on January 19, 1949 at the home of Worshipful Brother T. Harold Toy. After several subsequent sessions, it was decided to form the William W. Cooper Lodge Club and request a dispensation to form a new Lodge.
The Club was to meet in the Washington Park Community Church, but later this was changed to South Gate Masonic Temple.
The petition for William W. Cooper Lodge, U. D. was granted on May 26, 1949 signed by Most Worshipful Grand Master S. Stuart Krebs and fifty-eight Master Masons with Brother Algot E. O. O. Olson as Worshipful Master.
The first regular communication of the Lodge U. D. was held June 3, 1949.
A request for a charter was made on August 5, 1949 and on September 30, 1949, William W. Cooper Lodge No. 172 was constituted by M. W. Grand Master Edwin J. Wittelshofer, with Brother Algot E. O. O. Olson as Worshipful Master. The charter was signed by 74 Master Masons.
The first stated communication was held October 7, 1949.
At the time the lodge was constituted, grateful appreciation was expressed by the family of Brother Cooper for naming the lodge after him and as a humble token of this recognition, they presented the brethren with a Bible for the Altar.
On March 19, 1958, the Lodge was honored with the presence of Brother O. Otto Moore, who gave an inspiring address.
On December 2, 1960, Most Worshipful Brother C. Wheeler Barnes installed the officers of the Lodge for the thirteenth consecutive time.
The record of the Grand Lodge as of November 30, 1960 gives the membership of William W. Cooper Lodge No. 172 as 209.
