Conversations with Michael Current

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Current.

Hi Michael, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Golden City Lodge #1 was chartered on October 17th, 1860 and was the first Masonic Lodge in the State of Colorado. After meeting in several historic locations throughout the City of Golden from the 1860’s to the 1940’s, the Golden Masonic Temple Association was formed in 1948. Shortly thereafter, the Golden Masonic Temple was erected at its current location at 400 10th Street, Golden. It has been wholly owned by the Association ever since. In 2022, the Association formed the Golden Event Center which rents out the 14,500 sf facility to the public while maintaining its current Masonic Heritage and hosting affiliated Masonic Organizations such as the York Rite bodies, consisting of Royal Arch Masons chapter #5, Jefferson Council #24, and Jefferson Highlands Commandery #30. Also hosted is the Mt. Zion #133, Order of the Eastern Star, Edgewater Court #14, Order of the Amaranth, as well as youth groups, Columbine #96 Rainbow for Girls, Bethel #43, Order of Job’s Daughters International, and Golden Chapter of DeMolay . The youth groups teach leadership skills through community service, help them build character by “walking the walk”, distinguishing themselves as good leaders and take those skills into adulthood. Many of today’s leaders have a background as a Rainbow Girl, Job’s Daughter or DeMolay. The Golden Event Center/Golden City Lodge #1, is one of the largest Masonic Temples in Colorado hosting numerous events from weddings and birthday parties, to trade fairs, business meetings, etc. It is a very versatile facility and celebrates its 75th anniversary since it’s construction. In its early years, nearly all of the men instrumental in locating, laying-out and promoting the City of Golden were members of Golden City Lodge #1, known as the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, fraternal organization. Throughout the years, members have served in numerous conflicts such as the Civil War, WWI & II, Korea, Vietnam, etc. Freemasons, as they are known, come from all walks of life and careers. The Golden Event Center/Golden Masonic Lodge welcomes everyone from all over Colorado and beyond!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As with everything in life, some struggles have been seen throughout our history, some are blatantly untrue such as misinterpretations of various Mason’s throughout our 166 year history in Colorado. Some are just made up stories via the internet, an eternal source of misinformation. Some past characters were actually questionable, admittedly so. Judging them now in a different context, would be a disservice to history, however our motto has consistently been how to take a good man and make him better. The answer is very simple, we are good men (and women) intent on making ourselves better by fraternity to one another and are from every station in life including multiple U.S. Presidents, actors, and famous people throughout our history. We are your grandparents, your youth, we are patriots to the core, we are Shriner’s, we are volunteers involved in numerous organizations, we are charitable giving around $1 million a day internationally, and we are community leaders, We are good men and women holding to core virtues of life such as integrity, hope, and charity. In today’s world, these core values are highly sought after and needed as ever before. By adhering to our principles throughout time, we have ridden every storm and will continue to do so, It’s no wonder we are one of the most respected organizations in world history.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
The Golden Masonic Organization consists of professionals from all walks of life, We are software engineers, cyber security professionals, civil engineers, plumbers, facility managers, funeral directors, college professors, city leaders, world travelers, teachers, project managers, electricians, retired military service members, intelligence officers, etc. It’s takes all of us to be and run a fraternal organization such as this as well as running the Golden Event Center hosting events on a voluntary basis.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
You can come to our facility and rent our spaces for yourself, your family, your organization.

Pricing:

• $150/hour
• Non-Profit discounts
• Military discounts
• Frequent rental discounts
• Half/Full day rental discounts

Contact Info:

• Website: http://goldeneventcenter.com/
• Other: http://goldencitylodge1.org/

Image Credits
Craig Petty
Jennifer Martinez