Temple Lodge No. 6

Temple Lodge No. 6 was chartered on January 18th, 1881 as the sixth Masonic Lodge in what was then the Villa de Albuquerque, New Mexico Territory, under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons (A.F. & A.M.) of New Mexico (Note: The Grand Lodge of A.F. & A.M. was formed on August 7th, 1877).

The Villa de Albuquerque was founded in 1706 by thirty-five families of some 250 people who settled along the peaceful, fertile Rio Grande.  It became an established way station of the Camino Real (King’s Highway) that meandered its way from Santa Fe to Mexico City.

Permission to operate a Temple Lodge under dispensation (UD) was requested by Captain William H. Decker in a letter written to Grand Master of the Territory William L Rynerson.  The letter provided Grand Master Rynerson with very detailed information about the meeting location of the Lodge (Ambrosio Armijo residence) to include: interior description, room dimensions (L-30ft x W-16 ft x H-10ft) of the meeting hall, physical layout of the building structure, and a description of the family who owned the residence.  Permission to operate a Temple Lodge, UD was approved and the first meeting date for this new Lodge was on November 18th, 1880.

The Albuquerque Journal of November 18th, 1880 wrote about the creation of this new Temple Lodge saying: "A Masonic Lodge was organized last night at Captain Decker’s room and the following gentlemen elected as officers of the Order".

The first Officers of Temple Lodge (U.D.) listed in the Albuquerque Journal were:

Worshipful Master William H. Decker        Treasurer Elias S. Stover

Senior Warden A. McKay Whitcomb   Senior Deacon William F. Crane

Junior Warden William B. Childers     Junior Deacon Rufus C. Vase

Secretary William Borchert

The Albuquerque Journal also went on to say: "The Lodge will meet every Thursday evening at seven o’ clock in Captain Decker’s room until a suitable hall can be secured.  The Lodge opened with bright prospects for a prosperous future.  It is this Journal’s desire to see it flourish."

On January 16th, 1881, nearly a year later, the Albuquerque Journal reported that: "Several members of Temple Lodge, including Captain W. H. Decker, E.S. Stover, and A. M. Childers attended Grand Lodge, A.F. & A.M. at Las Vegas, NM" and on January 20th the Journal noted that: "Capt. Decker is back from Las Vegas, where he attended Grand Lodge.  He reports having secured the Charter for their Lodge at this place (Albuquerque) which he was instrumental in organizing a few weeks ago."

The Grand Lodge of New Mexico did in fact grant a charter to Temple Lodge No. 6 on January 18, 1881, and on January 20, 1881 Temple Lodge No. 6 held its first communication under charter, with pro-tem officers presiding for the purpose of electing new officers.  On January 21, 1881 the elected Master was installed, and on the same evening the lodge was dedicated.

The first Officers of Temple Lodge No. 6 (under charter) were:

Worshipful Master William B. Childers       Treasurer Elias S. Stover

Senior Warden A. McKay Whitcomb   Senior Deacon William F. Crane

Junior Warden Joseph H. Kuhns Jr.   Junior Deacon Rufus C. Vase

Secretary William Borchert

Since the 1st communication of Temple Lodge No. 6 under charter in 1881, it has grown and prospered just like Masonry has, within the city in which it resides; from nine members in one Masonic Lodge to six Masonic Lodges within Albuquerque.


Special Notes about some of the First Officers of Temple 6

A. McKay Whitcomb

Was a prominent contractor and builder and early trustee of the Albuquerque Academy, the forerunner of the Albuquerque's public school system.

William F. Crane

Was a respected attorney and real estate dealer.  He was on the committee for the organization of the annual territorial fair, and also help spearhead the construction of the historic San Felipe Hotel.

Rufus C. Vase

Was a hardware dealer.  He was the first secretary of the newly organized St. John's Mission, the forerunner of St. John's Cathedral.  He was an original member of the Board of Directors of Albuquerque Academy, and with William F. Crane, spearheaded the construction of the San Felipe Hotel.

William Brochert

Was in the furniture and undertaking business, and he was also a longtime Justice of the Peace.


References

Langston, L. (1977). A history of masonry in new mexico 1877 - 1977, pgs 1- 5. Roswell, NM: Hall-
Poorbaugh Press, Inc.

Motto, S. (1974). An addendum to Temple lodge No. 6: The early years by M.W. George O. Thorne.  The Lodge of Research A.F. & A.M. of New Mexico. Publication No. 14A

All Information provided from Temple Lodge No. 6 Website - http://templelodge6.org