On September 11, 1902, thirteen Master
Masons petitioned the Masonic Grand Lodge of Montana to form a new Lodge in
Great Falls. A year later, on September 16, 1903, Euclid Lodge #58 received
its Charter from the hands of our Most Worshipful Grand Master H. S. Hepner,
at the 39th Annual Communication of
the Masonic Grand Lodge of Montana held in Helena on September 16th
and 17th, 1903.
Before the current Masonic Temple building
was built, Euclid Lodge met on the second floor of the Kingsbury Block
at 311 ½ Central Avenue (which is the location of Beckman Furs). Meetings
were held there until January 1st, 1915.
Euclid’s first Worshipful Master was S.D.
Largent, superintendent of the Great Falls Public Schools. Under his expert
and accomplished hand, Great Falls expanded its public school system to one
of the finest in the state. In honor of his achievements, the City of Great
Falls named Largent elementary school after him. Euclid has had many
noteworthy Masters of the Lodge. Two in particular went on to serve as Grand
Masters of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Montana. They are John Robert Lloyd
and Earl Smith Bardwell.
John Robert Lloyd was Master of Euclid
Lodge in 1918, and became the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Montana in
1935. He was the Great Falls Postmaster for many years before retiring to
California. Earl Smith Bardwell was Master of Euclid in 1923, and became the
Most Worshipful Grand Master of Montana in 1954. He was a metallurgist and
superintendent of the Great Falls Anaconda Company Smelter.
Euclid Lodge is comprised of a unique and
exciting community of men drawn from all cross sections and professions in
Great Falls, united by their common belief in the Fatherhood of God and the
Brotherhood of Man; and those Masonic ideals of liberty, equality and
fraternity. We seek to make good men better, and to provide a mutually
supportive community where men can wholesomely associate with other men. Men whom
they can trust, regard and rely upon as friends and brothers. Masons take
obligations to act fairly and squarely with all humanity, and just as
importantly, with each other.
Euclid Lodge is one of Montana’s most
dynamic lodges. In addition to actively assisting other Lodges in their
work. Euclid brothers play an active role in community
activities and affairs. Always working to make things better for the good of
all; whether it be their neighborhood, city, state, nation or world. We take
seriously both the position and responsibility George Washington envisioned
for Masons as the silent guardians and watch wardens of this Republic and
it‘s democratic ideals.