CANON CITY, COLORADO
Mount Moriah Lodge was first born in the minds of five men riding home from a meeting of El Paso Lodge No. 13 in Colorado Springs. These men were Stephen Frazier and his two sons, Gideon and Reuben, Charles Pauls and Mills Craig. There were only eleven Brethren in Canon City but Henry M. Teller, Grand Master, gave them a dispensation on December 11, 1867, naming Gideon Frazier as Worshipful Master, Benjamin F. Smith, Senior Warden and Stephen Frazier, Junior Warden. The following brothers were appointed:- William McClure, Treasurer; Warren R. Fowler, Secretary; Reuben Frazier, Senior Deacon; Charles Pauls, Junior Deacon; H. H. Marsh, Senior Steward; B. F. Rockafellow, Junior Steward and G. W. Depp, Tiler.
When Canon U. D. asked for a charter the name of Teller Lodge was requested but when it was granted the name was Mount Moriah. The officers under charter were the same as under Dispensation, except S. M. Cox was elected as Secretary.
The Lodge had the usual experience with different meeting places and finally decided to build their own. The cornerstone was laid on July 17, 1881 with a large attendance. The same day the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge laid the cornerstone of the new Court House, the first time the Grand Lodge laid two cornerstones in one day.
Among the members of Mount Moriah Lodge, have been a Governor, Senators and other notables. One whose name stands out through his faithfulness to the Craft was Brother Gideon Frazier. He was prominent in the following lodges, El Paso, No. 13, Mount Moriah, No. 15, Mesa, No. 55 where he was Worshipful Master for several years. Then he became charter member of Meriden Lodge No.47 in Idaho.
Mount Moriah, has as its charity fund the George H. Kellenberger Charity Fund started by Brother Kellenberger. Mount Moriah, membership growth has been steady from a beginning of eleven to its present membership as of November 30,1960 372.
