On February 14, 1961, an organizational meeting began at
the Shangra-La, presided over by John Prunk and State Association
Officers, the first of several meetings aimed at forming an
Elks Lodge in Westminster.
On April 13, 1961 the Grand Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective
Order of Elks granted a dispensation to form a new Lodge to
be known as Westminster Elks Lodge #2227.
On April 30, 1961, Westminster Lodge received its charter
at Lakewood Lodge #1777. John Prunk was elected the First
Exalted Ruler and we started our journey into Elkdom with
383 charter members. The Grand Lodge Charter for B.P.O. Elks
Westminster Lodge #2227 was signed and dated on May 22, 1961,
and hung proudly in the Lodge room. The first Lodge home was
the basement of A&A Pharmacy Building, and it was leased
and remodeled by the members.
On November 18, 1961, the first Charity Ball was held at
Denver Lodge #17 and Leona Wright was elected our First Charity
Queen. Also in 1961, groundwork for the first “Colorado
State High School Rodeo” was begun. In June of 1962,
the first Colorado High School Rodeo was held at the England
Park Rodeo Grounds. It was very successful. In 1962,
Westminster Lodge #2227 purchased 5 acres of land from the City of
Westminster, located south and west of the England Park Rodeo
Grounds, for a future location of a new Lodge home. In conjunction
with the land purchase, a corporation was formed known as
the “2227 Corp.” to sell stock in order to raise
funds to build a Lodge Building. Finally in 1962, the Elks
Ladies purchased a new set of Ritual Jewels for the Lodge,
which were well appreciated.
On June 27, 1965, the Cornerstone of Westminster 2227’s
new Lodge home was laid at 3:00 P.M. by Don Carpenter, and
on August 3, 1965, the first official Lodge meeting was held
in the new Lodge room with 78 members present and 9 candidates
for initiation.
On October 3, Westminster formally dedicated their new Lodge
home with Grand Lodge and visiting Elk dignitaries in attendance.
In July of 1967, Westminster sent it’s first Ritual
Team to the National Ritual Contest, headed up by E.R. John
Ritter. They placed 12th in the Western Division.
In April of 1968, the Lodge sent a letter to Grand Lodge to
seek permission to purchase 4.6 acres south of the Lodge Building.
This land to be used as 2227’s Upper Hill Park. On May
7, 1968, the floor of the Lodge authorized purchasing of the
upper hill acres.
In July of 1971, the Ritual Team again traveled to New Orleans
to compete in the National Ritual Contest with E.R. Dean Myrick
and placed 9th in the Western Division.
In 1972 and 1973, the members
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undertook and completed the expansion of the
Lodge home to add the upper level, consisting of a Lodge room
and lounge area and the lower level basement hall area.
On February 19, 1975, Westminster 2227’s Trap Shooters
held their first annual championship shoot. Lyle Younglove
became the first champion. During 1976, the trap shooters
began plans to purchase a trap club for use of all the members
of Westminster Elks and their families.
On April 25, 1981, the Lodge celebrated its 20th Anniversary
Party, and, as part of the celebration, the “Mortgage”
was burned under the direction of E.R. Chris Morgen. The Lodge
Home was now free and clear of debt.
On August 14, 1982, the Westminster Elks sponsored the first
annual “Invitational Track and Field Day” for
Special Olympians. This event was the idea of Chuck Enriquez,
who served as chairman of the event. It was highly successful.
On March 25, 1984, after the installation of the new officers,
the officers reverted to their old offices as E.R. Luke Trostel
presided over the “Burning of the Mortgage” of
the Upper Hill Park.
On June 16, 1984, the first Drug Awareness Barn Dance was
held to raise funds to fight drug abuse. The funds raised
were donated to various agencies to assist in educational
endeavors to make our youth aware of drug dangers.
In July of 1995, Westminster wins 1st event contest for the
area and becomes one of eight finalists for the national award.
E.R. Rod Kloberdans received the award, on behalf of the Lodge,
at the National Convention in Seattle.
During the next 17 years, the Lodge has seen many changes.
The membership has fluctuated up and down.
The Lodge was fortunate in 2001 to represent the State in
the National Ritual Contest. Westminster took first place
in the Western Division. E.R. Richard Blair was also named
All-American Exalted Ruler, and Coach Dana Priola was All-American
Coach. Westminster got beat out in the overall competition.
Westminster also competed in the 2003 Grand Lodge National
Ritual Contest.
The Lodge is blessed with a very active House Committee and,
as such, they have enjoyed continued success in the endeavor
to have the member’s participation. The Lodge is initiating
many new members, and the older members are reinstating. The
Lodge is growing in their progress toward the next century.
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