Churches and Lodges, Laramie Wyoming

The Episcopal Church was organized by Rev. Joseph C. Cook, of Cheyenne, October 2, 1868. This was the first church organization in our city. Rev. J. W. Cornell was its first rector, and commenced his ministrations on the 21st of February, 1869. The church building had been completed, costing $4,000, and was dedicated on that day by Rt. Rev. Bishop Randall, of Colorado, as St. Matthew's Episcopal church.

The Methodist church of this city was organized by Rev. G. F. Hilton, in the spring of 1869, the exact date of which we have not the means of ascertaining.

The Roman Catholic Church was organized here in the spring of 1869, by Rev. Father Kelly, a missionary priest from Omaha. Colonel J. W. Donnellan, Henry Wagner and J. W. Connor were the first trustees. They commenced the erection of their fine stone edifice in May, 1869, but it was not completed until the fall of 1871. Rev. Father Cusson was the first pastor of this church. It cost about $7,000.

The Baptist church was organized on the 8th day of January, 1869, by Rev. George W. Freeman, superintendent of Baptist home missions. Their present church building was erected the following summer at a cost of about $5,500. Rev. D. J. Pierce was the first pastor.

Lodges

Laramie Lodge, No. 18, A. F. & A. M. was organized under a dispensation issued by the Grand Lodge of Colorado, February 14, 1870.

J. H. Hayford as its first master
J. E. Gates, as Secretary.

The first lodge of I. O. O. F. was instituted in June, 1869.

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Source: Annals of Wyoming, Volume 15, April 1943, Wyoming Historical Department, Cheyenne, Wyoming.