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A Brief Lodge History

 

    In 1956, two Master Masons, Harry J Jennings and Alfred Prevost, discussed the need for a Masonic Lodge in their growing community of Rancho Cordova, Ca. Being involved in civic affairs, the two Brothers in Masonry deferred further Masonic action until September 1957.

    On September 16, 1957, Brothers Jennings and Prevost attended Natoma Lodge #64 in Folsom, Ca and were introduced to the inspector of the 217th Masonic District, Worshipful Ray Burdg. With his assistance, a Masonic Club was formed with nine members present at that first meeting at the Rancho Cordova Elementary School  in November 1957.  Club officers were elected and the club was formed with the express purpose of forming a new Masonic Lodge in Rancho Cordova, Ca.

    During the period between November 29, 1957 and March 20, 1959 The Rancho Cordova Masonic Club acquired 48 members shown on the club roster when the petition was made to the Grand Lodge of the State of California  for a Dispensation for American River Lodge on May 14, 1959. The dispensation was received and plans were made for the Institution of American River Lodge on June 6th, 1959. The Most Worshipful Phil N Myers was present at Muddox Hall, Sacramento, Ca for the beginning of American River Lodge with Walter E. Moller as Worshipful Master, Robert E. Green as Senior Warden and Alfred Prevost as Junior Warden.

    American River Lodge was chartered on September 28, 1959 by Grand Master Joe Shoell.

    Arrangements were made with Natoma Lodge #64 (Folsom) for American River Lodge to meet in their Temple on the first Friday of every month. This arrangement continued until 1971 when American River Lodge had the opportunity to rent the old Grange Hall located on Kilgore Road in Rancho Cordova, Ca. The members, feeling that American River Lodge was really organized for Rancho Cordova, took advantage of the opportunity and met there until December 2007.   

    As fate would have it, in January 2008 we were forced to relocate and Natoma Lodge #64 once again accommodated us by allowing us to host our stated meetings at their lodge. Although we are smaller, we are committed to the Rancho Cordova community and are growing and expanding our Lodge to meet the needs of our Community. The history of our Lodge does not end here. We only need you to continue our history and make a postive influence on the Rancho Cordova community.

 

Researched and Edited by Hudson Hanawalt, Sr PM, David George Reynolds, PM and Steve Metheny, PM.