RIFLE, COLORADO
The first systematic attempt to establish a lodge in the Town of Rifle was in 1905, the same year the town was incorporated. In January or February of that year a number of the brethren, finding that Rifle and vicinity contained about thirty Masons in good standing, took steps looking toward the formation of a lodge. After some progress was made, the work was discontinued for a while.
Resumption of the work resulted in the granting of a dispensation on March 26, 1908, the lodge being chartered on September 21, 1908 and constituted November 6, 1908, by M.W. Bro. John B. Haffy.
The corner-stone of the Temple was laid on St. John’s Day, June 27, 1914. The temple was dedicated on December 11, 1914, after which the officers for the ensuing year were installed by the Grand Master, who had performed the dedication ceremonies.
According to some sources, the corner-stone of the Temple was laid twice. The inscription on the stone reads:
“LAID BY M. W. GRAND LODGE of COLORADO A. F. & A. M. 1914”
The story has it that the stone arrived from the quarry in Marble shortly before the date set for its official laying and the stone-cutter had spelled the first word “LAYED.” Due to the shortage of time, the stone was officially laid. A short time later the stone was removed and shipped back to Marble and on the opposite side was cut the inscription as stated above. It is said the inscription as first cut and as the stone was laid by the Grand Master has that face turned to the inside.
From the fifteen Master Masons who signed the petition for a dispensation in 1908, the lodge has grown to a membership of 206 as of November 30, 1960. In 1944 the three principal officers of the lodge were named Rees. The Master was William R. Rees; the Junior Warden was his son, Richard. The Senior Warden was Humbert Rees, not related to the other two, but a son of Claude H. Rees, a charter member who was Worshipful Master in 1914. Humbert Rees has served the Grand Lodge as District Deputy Grand Lecturer and, in 1957, as Grand Orator. He also is a Past Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Colorado.
