History of Temple Lodge No. 4
Temple Lodge No. 4 traces its history to the earliest days of the Republic of Texas — the fourth Masonic lodge established in Texas, and the first chartered in the new Republic.
Founded in the Republic of Texas, 1838
Temple Lodge No. 4 traces its history to the early days of the Republic of Texas, when the seat of government was located in the newly founded city of Houston. Formally chartered on May 10, 1838, Temple Lodge was the fourth Masonic organization established in Texas and the first to be established in the new Republic. It was chartered by the Grand Lodge of the Republic of Texas, which had been formed from the three existing lodges — Holland Lodge No. 1, Milam Lodge No. 2, and Redland Lodge No. 3 — all originally chartered by the Grand Lodge of Louisiana.
Playing leading roles in the lodge’s formation were many noted Texas patriots and statesmen. Early colonist George Fisher was named first Worshipful Master, with San Jacinto veteran Richard Bache as Secretary and future Governor Francis R. Lubbock as first Junior Deacon. Temple Lodge held its regular meetings in the Senate Chamber of the Capitol in downtown Houston, where statesmen Anson Jones and Mirabeau Lamar were in frequent attendance. In July 1838, Temple Lodge conducted the first Masonic burial in the Republic of Texas, for State Supreme Court Chief Justice James Collingsworth.
Reconstituted in 1914
The current Temple Lodge No. 4 was set to work on December 29, 1914, with 115 charter members in the Scottish Rite Temple, by Brother Frank C. Jones, Sr., Special Deputy for Brother Jewel P. Lightfoot, Grand Master. Present at the constitution were 74 brothers from Temple Lodge No. 4, 63 from Holland Lodge No. 1, 21 from Gray Lodge No. 329, 21 from Reagan Lodge No. 1037, and 52 others — a total of 231.
A Lodge and Its Homes
Temple Lodge first met in the Scottish Rite Temple at Main and McKinney from June 12, 1915 until April 16, 1918, then in the Scottish Rite Temple at Polk and Caroline from April 19, 1918 until August 12, 1924. In the years that followed, the lodge shared in the grand Masonic Temple at Clay and Fannin in downtown Houston — a stately building it occupied jointly with Gray Lodge. Today the lodge gathers at its Masonic Center at 4055 W. Bellfort, where the Texas Historical Commission marker below stands beside the front door.
Texas Historical Commission Marker
This Masonic Lodge traces its history to the early days of the Republic of Texas, when the seat of government was located in the newly founded city of Houston. Formally chartered on May 10, 1838, Temple Lodge was the fourth Masonic organization established in Texas, and the first to be established in the new Republic. It was chartered by the Grand Lodge of the Republic of Texas, which had been formed from the three existing lodges, all of which had been chartered originally by the Louisiana Grand Lodge.
Playing leading roles in the organization’s formation and development were many noted Texas patriots and statesmen. Early colonist George Fisher was named first worshipful master, with San Jacinto veteran Richard Bache as secretary and future Governor Francis R. Lubbock as first junior deacon. Temple Lodge held its regular meetings in the Senate Chamber of the Capitol in downtown Houston, where statesmen Anson Jones and Mirabeau Lamar were in frequent attendance. In July 1838, Temple Lodge conducted the first Masonic burial in the Republic of Texas for State Supreme Court Chief Justice James Collingsworth.
Since its establishment, Temple Lodge No. 4 has reflected the Masonic values and teachings of its founders.