Temple Lodge No. 4 A.F. and A.M. traces its history to the early days of the Republic of Texas, when the seat of government was in the newly founded city of Houston. Formally chartered on May 10, 1838, it was the fourth Masonic organization established in Texas and the first established in the new Republic. Its charter came from the Grand Lodge of the Republic of Texas, which had been formed from three existing lodges originally chartered by the Louisiana Grand Lodge. Many noted Texas patriots and statesmen played leading roles in its formation and development. Early colonist George Fisher was its first worshipful master, San Jacinto veteran Richard Bache served as secretary, and future Governor Francis R. Lubbock was first junior deacon. The lodge held its regular meetings in the Senate Chamber of the Capitol in downtown Houston, where Anson Jones and Mirabeau Lamar frequently attended. In July 1838, it conducted the first Masonic burial in the Republic of Texas for State Supreme Court Chief Justice James Collingsworth. Since its establishment, Temple Lodge No. 4 has reflected the Masonic values and teachings of its founders.