History of Mountain Post Military Lodge No. 26 (PHA)

In April 1977, several Master Masons stationed at Fort Carson realized the need for a military lodge for the many Brothers that were on the post, but for one reason or another, were not attending or working with the Lodge in Colorado Springs. They petitioned the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, F & AM Colorado and its jurisdiction for dispensation to form an Under Dispensation (U.D.) Lodge at Fort Carson. The Grand Master Most Worshipful David Holliman, who received our petition, stated that it would be presented at the Grand Lodge #101's Annual Communication in August, which was held in Colorado Springs. On August 9, 1977, the Grand Master David Holliman and Deputy Grand Master Sylvester Smith, met with Brothers Bennett, Sauls, and Wallace. They stated that since GM Holliman was going out of office, he didn't feel the petition should be presented to the Grand Lodge at this time. D.G.M. Smith, who was to secede him, was open to being in favor of the petition, and he would handle the dispensation for UD after he was elected.

On September 6, 1977, the Grand Master for Colorado and its jurisdiction, the Most Worshipful Sylvester Smith, granted the petitions for dispensation to form a Masonic Study at Fort Carson under the watch care of Pikes Peak Lodge #5. Thomas J. Bennett, Jr., was appointed President, Girard McGruder, 1 st Vice President, King Kelly, 2 nd Vice President, James H. Sauls, Secretary, Raymond Collins, Treasurer, and Fred Parker, Chaplain. The Study Club met on the second Thursday and fourth Friday of each month at Fort Carson.

A Masonic Calendar to raise funds for support of the Study Club was made in October 1977. This project was the brainchild of the Study Club Secretary, Brother Sauls. The calendar included the birth date of each Study Club member and members of their families, the date each Brother was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason, and birth dates of many historical blacks.

The Study Club undertook several projects with the military and civilian community, promoting charity and brotherly love by donating a Thanksgiving Basket to the Army Community Service Center as well as books, games, fruits, candy, and nuts to the Silver Key Headquarters in hopes of expressing our concern and love to the senior citizens during the holiday season.

In January 1978, Brother Calip Shelby, Senior Warden of Pikes Peak Lodge No. 5, was appointed Advisor to the Study Club by Worshipful Master Charles Livingston . On February 24, 1978, Brother Shelby officially installed all Study Club Officers.

Having fulfilled all established requirements set aside by the Constitution of Colorado and Jurisdiction, the Fort Carson Masonic Study Club of Pikes Peak Lodge No. 5, petitioned for a U.D. Lodge. On the twentieth of June 1978, the petition was received and approved by the officers and Craft of Pikes Peak Lodge No. 5.

On the thirteenth of July, 1978, the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Colorado and Jurisdiction, Sylvester Smith, presented a dispensation to Mountain Post Military Lodge No. 3 (U.D.), and seated the appointed officers: Thomas J. Bennett, Jr., W.M. Girard McGruder, S.W., King Kelly, J.W., Noble L. Wallace, S.D., Louis Brown, J.D., David McCray, S.S. Lloyd Taylor, J.S., Fred Parker, Chaplain, Floyd Booker, Tyler, and George Smith, Marshall.

On August 16, 1978, the 102 nd Annual Communication of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall, Grand Lodge, F. & A.M. Colorado and its Jurisdiction held in Salt Lake City, Utah. MPML #26 received its charter. Members at that time were: Jimmie Allen, Thomas J. Bennett, Jr., Louis Brown, Raymond Collins, King Kelly, David McCray, Girard McGruder, Eddie L. Moore, Fred Parker, James H. Sauls, Lloyd Taylor, and Noble Wallace.

The Lodge held its first election on November 1978. Brother Girard McGruder was elected W.M., Noble L. Wallace, S.W., David McCray, J.W., Joe Tanner, Secretary, and Carl Legree, Treasurer, and the present officer being elected in November 1979.