Red Rock Memorial Lodge No. 63
From Central Arizona Lodge No. 14 Free & Accepted Masons
[edit] FORMATION OF RED ROCK MEMORIAL LODGE NO. 63
Interest in Masonic fellowship ran high in Sedona, and in the year of 1957 the Sedona Masonic Club was organized. in 1958 a suggestion was made that an Easter Sunrise Service be held on the Mesa, which overlooks the community and had the beautiful red rocks in the background. The suggestion was approved, and the first service was held that same year. They have continued to this day.
The Sedona Masonic Club changed its name to the Sedona Square and Compass Club. After meeting for several years, the members received on March 20, 1964, from Wesley K. Roberts, a long resident of this community, an offer that if a lodge were organized he would construct and give to the lodge a Temple which would be a memorial to his father, the late William H. Roberts. The building was to be paid for in its entirety by Brother Roberts, but the equipment, maintenance, taxes, etc., to be paid for by the new lodge. The offer was accepted, and the members moved rapidly toward their goal.
Delbert N. Martin, Past Master of Peoria Lodge No. 31; Hosea L. Reed, Past Master of Verde Lodge No. 14 in Cottonwood; and W. Travis Curry, Past Master of Buckeye Valley Lodge No. 42 in Buckeye, enlisted the aid and support of Masons in the area and started working with prospective officers on ritual and developing plans for the new lodge.
A Dispensation was issued on May 29, 1964, and those named in the Dispensation are: Delbert N. Martin, Hosea L. Reed, William T. Curry, Benjamin F. Stevenson, James McClughan, David M Goss, Harry E. Seel, Edward Duke Mays, Donald A. Lowman, John W. Lynch, Sr., Wesley K. Roberts, Elton T. Barrett, Raymond J. Steele, Doyle G. Bladon, Laurman C. Ferebee, Glen H. Phillippi, Walter A. Nelson, Jr., Wallace A. Brewer, Alfred E. Wohlschlegel, Claudius P. Malcolm, William J. Steele, Herbert V. Cook, Loran E. Brockman, Sr., James W. Brooks, Joe F. Provine, Donald L. Calvert, Michael S. Medigovich, Robert A. Weiss, Walter A. Nelson, Sr., C. Leonard Johnson, Albert Mori, E. C. Bolton, T. Herbert Heym, Thomas I. Mason, Guy Falconer, Glenn H. Bancroft, Ellsworth Schnebly, Virgil H. Carter, Leeds M. Chesshir, Glenn F. Coffee, Cornelius Davis, Jerry B. Dean, Ulna Lynn Garrett, Chester L. Hale, James T. Helm, Maurice L. Lachman, Cecil J. Lockhart-Smith, Dustin G. Lowman, Marion S. Morris, William G. Robinson, Frederick T. Shott, Charlie Stotts, Donald E. Thomason, Delbert G. Tomkins, Emery Vickers, Alvin V. Wetmore, Jr., Eric G. Wiklund, William E. Wilson, Clyde P. Wing, Kenneth I. Winship, and John T. Woodroffe.
During the next few weeks the Bylaws were prepared which were adopted on July 14.
A Charter was issued to Red Rock Memorial Lodge No. 63 on April 26, 1965, during the annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Arizona, and on Saturday, May 15, ceremonies were held for the Constituting the Lodge, installation of officers, and dedication of the Temple on Tabletop mountain. All officers of the Grand Lodge were present together with nine Past Grand Masters of Arizona.
The Constitution ceremony was held at 2 p. m. in closed session with the Most Worshipful Richard J. Lopshire, Grand Master, presiding.
At 3 p. m. the following officers were installed in an open installation: Delbert N. Martin, Worshipful Master; Hosea L. Reed, Senior Warden; W. Travis Curry, Junior Warden; Edward D. Mays, Treasurer; Earl C. Bolton, Secretary; Dr. Doyle G. Bladon, Senior Deacon; L. C. Ferebee, Junior Deacon, Raymond J. Steele, Senior Steward, William J. Steele, Junior Steward; Walter A. Nelson, Jr., Marshal; Paul Malcolm, Chaplain; and John W. Lynch, Tyler. Barry Goldwater, United States Senator from Arizona, was the guest speaker.
In the evening of the same day the Temple was dedicated with the Grand Lodge officers presiding. Mathew W. Hill, Past Grand Master of Washington and senior member of the Supreme Court of the State of Washington, was the guest speaker.
This Masonic building was a gift of Mr. and Mrs. Wesley K. Roberts in memory of Mr. Roberts' father, the late William H. Roberts who was a Past Master and 50 year member of Tracy Lodge No. 810 in Chicago, Illinois. He also received a 50 year award from the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Illinois, and was also a 32nd Degree Mason in the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Chicago.
During the construction and for the first few years, money and gifts were collected for furniture, equipment, paraphernalia, etc., so the lodge could operate effectively. On December 19, 1964, a barbecued buffalo dinner was served as a money making project. A plaque, designed by Herbert V. Cook, was placed in the foyer of the temple to acknowledge those who contributed $100 or more toward this cause.
Many other items were received from members and friends. On November 23, 1964, Brother William R. Laughlin of Flagstaff presented an illuminated portrait of George Washington, clad in his Masonic regalia to be hung in the East of the new Lodge. Brother Olin E. Lehman presented on September 10, 1965, on behalf of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, an American Flag with a standard. He gave an interesting talk on the history and significance of the Flag.
Brother Arthur E. Skeets presented to the lodge a remote control slide projector and a set of lecture slides for the three degrees. He also presented an oil painting which he had made depicting the building of King Solomon's Temple and including many other Masonic symbols.
