BRIGHTON, COLORADO
The first communication of Brighton Lodge U.D. was held Dec. 27, 1888. Those present were Thomas A. McMurtrie, W.M.; Wm. Hogarth, S.W.; Daniel F. Carmichael, J.W.; Frank E. Kearney, Treas.; Dewey W. Strong, Sec.; Andrew Craig, S.D.; Ben H. Swan, J.D., Pro-Tem; John P. Roseborough, Tiler, Pro-Tem.
The lodge U. D. continued to meet until the fall of 1890, the total membership was sixteen. Upon surrender of the dispensation, the charter was granted Sept. 16, 1890. The charter was signed by Grand Master Wm. T. Bridwell and other Grand Lodge officers. The mother lodge, Garfield Lodge No. 50 of Erie, Colo., surrendered most of the territory from which Brighton Lodge was formed and also recommended to the Grand Lodge the formation of a Lodge at Brighton.
The bylaws of Brighton were adopted from those of Denver Lodge No.5 with such changes as were necessary regarding dues, fees, etc. The first Temple Association was formed on June 27, 1901.
Brighton Lodge No. 78 laid the corner-stone for the first High School in Brighton in 1913.
A recommendation and approval of a Lodge in Aurora was made by Brighton Lodge in 1922. The Lodge was chartered in September, 1922. A recommendation for a Lodge in Hudson was approved by Brighton Lodge No. 78 in September, 1926.
The first permanent home of Brighton Lodge was ready for occupancy on January 27, 1936. The Lodge continued in this home until September 14, 1950. The first 50-year pin presented by Brighton Lodge was to Bro. Frederick Piser, on June 23rd, 1938. In 1940 the bylaws of the lodge were revised to meet the increasing demands and conditions.
The 50th Anniversary of the Lodge was held in the Presbyterian Church, this was a tiled meeting with 150 Masons present, 25 Lodges were represented. The burning of the mortgage on the first Masonic Temple was held on May 20, 1943. In September, 1943, Brighton Lodge presented its oldest living Past Master, Louis A. Stueland, with a 5O-year medal as the first Mason raised in Brighton Lodge, June 15, 1893.
In February, 1946, Clyde L. Miller offered to donate two lots to the Lodge, provided it built a Temple on them. He would also sell two or four adjoining lots but due to the Lodge’s financial condition the brothers were unable to avail themselves of this offer. However in 1949, Bro. Miller again made the land available to them and after much discussion a motion was made by Bro. Clifford Gobble to purchase the lots. This motion carried and work started on the new Temple in February, 1950. Much of the labor was donatee!. The corner-stone was laid on April 15, 1950.
The first meeting in the new Temple was held September 14, 1950.
Brighton Lodge No. 78 is proud of Bro. Clifford Gobble, who served as Grand Master in 1959.
The membership of Brighton Lodge, November, 1960, was 344.
