DENVER, COLORADO
The first meeting when any definite action was taken toward the formation of Palestine Lodge was held January 2,1918. On December 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 September 18, 1918. The lodge was constituted on September 30, 1918 by M.W. Bro. Clarence M. Kellogg. There were 58 charter members and on November 30, 1960 the membership had increased to 471.
Meetings were held at 1614 Welton Street until 1925 when the lodge moved to the temple at 1470 Grant Street, where it has been meeting ever since.
The lodge is very proud of its furniture. The Holy Bible is a Geneva, or “Breeches” 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 of 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 November 24, 1752. It is 148 years older than that owned by St. John’s Lodge No.1, A. F. & A. M. of New York City, on which George Washington took the oath of office as President of the United States.
The Bible was presented in a memorable ceremony on December 29, 1921, with M.W. Bro. Marshall H. Van Fleet consecrating the gift. About one year later the lodge was presented with a silver square and compasses and a month after that with a container for the three great lights.
Palestine Lodge is proud of its member Thomas F. Vardie, who was raised under its dispensation, was Worshipful Master in 1925, is now Secretary of the lodge for the second time, and who also is Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge of Colorado.
