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Dedication to Alfred Albrecht Kafer , Jr., 33th degree , PGM for 37 years the faithful Secretary of St. John’s Lodge No. 3. Master
, St. John’s Lodge 1939 |
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Masonic Beginnings In New Bern Who was the first mason to make his presence known in New Bern? We do not know. When was the Masonic lodge first organized? We do not know this either. But this much we do know, for it has been completely authenticated and documented ! There was a Masonic lodge existing in New Bern for a number of years prior to 1772, the official date of the constitution of St. John’s Lodge! Prior to the revolution, a Grand Lodge was instituted in the province . In 1771 when the Grand Master of England made Joseph Montfort of Halifax the Provincial Grand Master of the Province . This Grand Lodge is said to have “ convened occasionally at New Bern and Edenton “. Assuredly , The Grand Lodge would not have been meeting in New Bern had there been no Masonic lodge here. But, note this as further proof: in the issue dated December 21- 28, 1764 of the “ North Carolina Magazine or Universal Intelligence , published in New Bern by James Davis , the first state printer, there is an account of the arrival in New Bern that month, and of the festivities associated therewith , of “ the Honorable William Tyron , Esq. , Lieutenant Governor of this Province, with his lady “, and of Masonic participation in the festivities of that occasion. That was in 1764 and the article read as follows: "On Thursday, being the feast of St. John the Baptist, the members of the Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons, belonging to the lodge in this town, met in their lodge room; and after going through the necessary business of the day, retired to the Long Room in the courthouse to dine where was served up elegant dinner; the Lieutenant Governor honored them with his company; where also dined many other gentlemen . The usual and proper health’s were drank; and at drinking “ the King and the Craft “ the artillery fired 3.3.3.” . So much for the year 1764 . Recently, however, St. John’s Lodge came into possession of a Masonic sermon which had been preached in Christ’s Church, New Bern, in the year 1755! Furthermore, it was preached to the “Master, Wardens and Brethren of the New Bern Lodge of Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Mason!” The sermon was preached by the Reverend and Brother Michael Smith, an Episcopal Minister from Johnston County, on St. John the Evangelist’s Day, December 27, 1755. This sermon was published at the request of the Master, Wardens, and Brethren of the lodge by the printer, James Davis, in 1756, and a copy of it is now on exhibit in the New Bern Scottish Rite Museum! Thus, Masonry in New Bern can definitely be traced as far back as 1755. How much earlier? Who can tell? Perhaps the specific date of its origin will be unfolded as time moves on, and St. John’s Lodge No. 3 might even be able, with authority, to lay claim to the rank of No. 1 . Constitution of St. John’s Lodge Thus, Masonry actually was in existence in an organized form in New Bern prior to the year 1772, and no doubt , with the number of Masons residing in New Bern at that time, their thoughts must have led them to think of their lodge as being part of a larger organization. Consequently, when Joseph Montfort of Halifax, was appointed by the Duke of Beaufort who was then Grand Master of England, to serve as Provincial Grand Master of the Province, the local Masons realized that this was their opportunity to obtain an official charter for their organization. The name “St. John“ apparently was their choice for their lodge’s designation and they thought of themselves as Lodge No. 1; the members themselves chose this number. When they received the charter from Montfort, however, they were assigned the position of No. 2, and this displeased them very much. They made repeated efforts to have the number changed, but were unsuccessful. Much confusion existed among the few lodges in North Carolina concerning their rank status, and in order that the matter might be put to rest, the Grand Lodge met in June of 1791 to consider justifications from each of the lodges concerning their request for rank. The Grand Lodge finally gave the New Bern Masons the rank of No. 3 and in January of 1795 the members of St. John’s No. 3 finally “relinquished their claim to No. 2“. Thus , St. John’s Lodge, New Bern, is the only Masonic Lodge, probably in the entire nation, that has been named St. John’s No. 1; St. John’s Lodge No. 2; and St. John’s Lodge No. 3. There now hang on the walls of St. John’s Lodge two official charters; the charter designating the lodge as No. 2, issued by Joseph Montfort as the Provincial Grand Master and designating Martin Howard, who was Chief Justice of the Royal Colony of North Carolina from 1767 to 1773, as the first Master of the lodge. The other charter designates the lodge as No. 3 and was issued under the authority of another famous North Carolinian who was Grand Master at that time, the noted Statesman, Scholar, military leader and politician, William R. Davie, and designating Francis Lowthrop as the Master. Meeting Places At first the lodge had no permanent meeting place and it moved around from place to place, sometimes holding its meetings at the home of its members, sometimes meeting in some of the taverns of which there were many in the town at that time. References were made to a meeting which took place “ at the Kings Arms “, which was one of the larger taverns. Meanwhile the Palace continued to serve as a center of government, with the Assembly meeting there from time to time, but concerted efforts were being made to moved the capital father inland. The first governor of North Carolina, Richard Caswell who also became the second Grand Master of Masons in North Carolina, was installed as Governor of North Carolina in the Palace, and he himself had been made a Master Mason in New Bern, joining St. John’s Lodge here during the last month of 1772. Richard Dobbs Spaight of New Bern took the oath of office in the Palace as Governor of North Carolina, the last Governor to be inaugurated in its halls. And in July 1794 the Assembly said farewell to the Palace, this being its last session in New Bern before convening for its first session in Raleigh in December of that year. Following this, the place served a number of local purposes and St. John’s Lodge thereafter held its meetings there, continuing until the night of February 27, 1798 when the Palace burned. Members of the lodge saved their jewels and regalia, however, before the flames completely enveloped the building. Minutes of the lodge dated march 7th of that year state: “ The thanks of the lodge was returned to Brothers Mc Mains and Jacob Johnson for their assiduity in saving a great part of the treasures belonging to the lodge from the flames on the 27th of February”. After the fire the lodge continued to meet in various places, special reference given to a “ Mr. Stanley’s office “ , but then a committee was appointed to select a lot on which a permanent building could be erected. This committee reported and on November 7, 1798 the lodge voted to purchase lots numbered 325 and 326 on Hancock and Johnson Streets to be used for the erection of a Masonic Temple. The cornerstone was laid April 15, 1801 with an impressive ceremony . Work continued and finally on the first Wednesday in May, 1809 the committee reported that the was now practically complete and they set June 10, as the date for the dedication ceremony. The building constructed thereon was described as “ the largest and most elaborate building ever built in New Bern up to its time, with the exception of Tyron Palace,” it was highly praised by leading architects who said it rank as one of the finest structures of the early nineteenth century anywhere in America. Many people have admired the detailed studies of its doorways, of its cornices, of its mantel, and of the general room plan. An interesting story concerning the cornerstone might be related here. In the cornerstone there were placed an engraved silver plate and three coins --- a copper half cent dated 1797, a copper cent dated 1789, and a silver dollar dated 1800---- these were taken from the cornerstone during the war between the States by a Union Soldier who was stationed here and carried North with him at the conclusion of the war. Subsequently , in 1876 this plate and the three pieces of money were carefully placed in a special new case, which was appropriately inscribed, and these were returned to St. John’s Lodge No. 3 in 1878 by St. John’s Lodge No. 1 of Providence, Rhode Island. This northern lodge had come into possession of these precious relics through the aid of one of its members. The original cornerstone, hollow and empty, was found forty- two years after the return of these cornerstone articles and this stone was placed on an appropriate foundation with suitable inscription in front of the Masonic Temple. The plate and the coins are kept in the lodge archives. Although not complete, the new temple was actually in use as early as 1804. The lodge continued to grow and to prosper. In 1798 the lodge had a membership of 134 and it proudly boasted of having the most prominent men in New Bern among its members. In 1847 the temple was extensively renovated and re-decorated and about that time, in 1857, a fresco artist by the name of E. N. Medernach, a mason, was commissioned by St. John’s Lodge to decorate the lodge room with appropriate Masonic symbols. His work remains on the walls and on the ceiling to this day as a tribute to his genius, for the lodge has never been able to duplicate or re-decorate the paintings; and it does not wish to destroy, or diminish the beauty of the original paintings. These paintings exist on the walls today as they were placed there originally by this artist and they tell the story of Masonry in a dramatic way. The War Between The States During the early days of the War Between the States the Masonic Temple was used as a Confederate arsenal. It was reported that young women freely volunteered their services in making cartridges and bandages for the Confederate soldiers. However, after the capture of New Bern by northern troops under General Burnside in 1862, the Temple was used by the Union soldiers as a hospital. They are also said to have made coffins here, storing them in the basement. Parenthetically St. John’s Lodge was subsequently allowed a cash claim in 1900 by the federal government, after repeated requests. The amount of the claim was $13,000.00 for the use of the Temple for hospital purposes and also for the damages incurred thereby. Visits of Two Presidents St. John’s lodge has the unique distinction of having had the privilege of addressing two presidents of the United States who visited New Bern, both of whom were Masons. The first of these was the first president of the United States, Brother George Washington, who arrived in New Bern on April 20, 1791 and who was waited upon by the officers of the lodge with an appropriate address which they read to him. To this address, the president made a very appropriate reply and both the address and the reply are recorded in the minutes of the lodge. Later , in April, 1819, President and Brother James Monroe also visited New Bern and the lodge likewise presented to him a formal address of welcome. Minutes of the lodge include a copy of the lodge’s address and also the president’s reply, dated April 14, 1819. The Temple as a Theater In 1900 the entire building was again extensively renovated and was completed in 1905. Many theatrical productions had been giving in the temple and at that time the theater was completely remodeled and placed in continuous use, for theatrical purposes, justifying the proud claim of its being the oldest theater in the United States in continuous operation until its closing in December of 1974. The lodge room as a birthplace of others This lodge room, the home of St. John’s Lodge No. 3, has giving birth to other Masonic units which have become outstanding in their growth and in their activities. The three York Rite Bodies of New Bern were organized in this room as was the ancient and accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. Doric Lodge No. 568, AF&AM, was likewise organized in this room as was Craven Chapter No. 129, Order of the Eastern Star, and also Bern Lodge No. 724, AF&AM. Thus this historical room has been the scene of much activity and it has put itself in an enviable position where it can lay claim to having served as a great institution, from which many others spawned and have their growth. Lowthrop Hall Lowthrop hall which is situated just across the hall from St. John’s Lodge room, is named for one of New Bern’s most distinguished citizens, Francis Lowthrop, who was Master of the lodge for fourteen consecutive years, the longest on record. Brother Lowthrop died October 28, 1806 and he was considered one of the most outstanding of all the Masonic leaders in the history of the lodge. When George Washington visited here in 1791, Francis Lowthrop was on the committee to prepare the Masonic address of welcome. This large room, recently re-decorated, was named for him. This room also serve as a social center for the town during the latter days of the nineteenth century and the early years of the twentieth century. Here the young people would gather for their social affairs, with the dance music being provided by a small orchestra occupying the elevated enclosure or pit which has been preserved. Of special significance in St. John’s Lodge annals is the fact that it had a portrait of this outstanding Worshipful Master painted in 1805 by the noted artist, William Joseph William’s, who a decade earlier had painted a portrait of George Washington for the Masonic Lodge of Alexandria, Virginia, of which the first president had served as its worshipful master. Past Master’s Portraits In the year 1944, St. John’s Lodge embarked upon a tremendous project involving the possibility of obtaining portraits of all the lodge’s Worshipful Masters from the very beginning , 1772, with Martin Howard. All these photos were to be of the same size and the lodge proceeded at once to carry out the project. Visitors in Lowthrop Hall today are amazed at the tremendous success of this program, as they gaze upon the photographs of the large number of Past Masters who had served St. John’s Lodge in times gone by. Assistance to the Scottish Rite On November 2, 1914 St. John’s Lodge had deeded the site and property on Hancock and Johnson street to the New Bern Scottish Rite Bodies and thereafter the Scottish Rite continued to use the temple for its regular meetings and reunions. St. John’s lodge had already earmarked not less than one half of its net receipts from dues, fees, and from the Masonic theater to apply on a bank loan for the building which the Scottish Rite begun constructing July 7, 1948. It was a handsome, majestic temple, connected to the original building and now valued at more than $1,000,000.00 . Members of St. John’s Lodge assisted in the dedication of this temple on November 17, 1949, when Scottish Rite dignitaries from all over the southern jurisdiction were present for the occasion. Grand Lodge Meeting Here in 1961 St. John’s Lodge members began planning well in advance to have the Grand Lodge annual communication held in 1961 at New Bern, honoring the outgoing Grand Master Brother Harvey Ward Smith of Beaufort and also honoring the incoming Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother James Woodrow Brewer of Greenville, both of whom were honorary members of St. John’s lodge. All masons in the area cooperated in making this communication a tremendous success and there was a feeling of satisfaction among everyone that history was repeating itself, now, after many years in having the Grand Lodge to meet here. St. John’s Lodge was once again also signally honored when one of its distinguished past masters and long-time secretary, Worshipful Brother Alfred A. Kafer, JR., Was installed as Senior Grand Steward during this meeting of the Grand Lodge. Brother Kafer had been named to the position of Jr. Grand Steward during the preceding April by Most Worshipful Brother Smith when the Grand Lodge communication was held in Raleigh. Bicentennial Celebrations St. John’s Lodge had already celebrated its 150th anniversary in 1922 when in a mammoth pageant held on the lawn of the new Shrine home on Broad and East Front Streets there was reenacted the visit of George Washington to New Bern. It was a colorful ceremony in which many members of St. John’s Lodge participated, assisted by the ladies of the Eastern Star. Throughout the period of time following this celebration, the members of the lodge had been anxiously looking forward to the moment when it could commemorate its 200th anniversary in 1972. Plans subsequently were made for a two-day celebration on may 13th and 14th which would feature a gala banquet, in the banquet hall of the Scottish Rite Temple. This was followed by the pageant entitled “In The Beginning“ and featuring the constitution of St. John’s Lodge in New Bern in the year 1772 with the principal theme of the pageant centering around the various numbers assigned to the lodge; namely, 1, 2, and 3 . Following the pageant a delightful reception was held in the social room of Sudan Temple. Then on the next afternoon, Sunday, an impressive church service was held in the sanctuary of Christ’s Church. The sermon used at this occasion was the same sermon that had been delivered by the Reverend Michael Smith in 1755 at Christ’s Church to the original New Bern Masonic lodge. This sermon is printed in full in chapter 2 of “ Years of Light”, volume 2, by Dr. Gertrude Carraway a long-time friend and supporter of St. John’s Lodge. A bicentennial plaque commemorating these observances was dedicated on Wednesday evening, January 10, 1973, the 201st anniversary of the date on which the first charter of St. John’s Lodge was signed. The plaque was made in the same in the same size and style of the plaque which had been given by judge Shepard Bryan in 1934, of Atlanta, Georgia, commemorating the 150th anniversary observance of the lodge. Both plaques were placed on the front outside wall of the left entrance of the Masonic Temple where they may be observed today. The year 1974 was an important one in history of New Bern since it marked the 200th anniversary of the meeting of the First Provincial Congress which met in New Bern. The New Bern Craven County Bicentennial Commission had made its plans for a week-long celebration, and the masons of the New Bern area decided that they would like to make some expression of the part that masons had played in the formation of this congress as well as in the early history of New Bern itself. Accordingly, St. John’s Lodge agreed to participate in this program and in August of 1974 masons used two days for its part in the celebration. A pageant had been written entitled “ 1774 “ and was presented to a large audience in Sudan Temple auditorium for two nights. The first night’s presentation was preceded by a banquet attended by the Grand Master of Masons in North Carolina and featuring a visit from the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Indiana. Following the pageant presentation there was an address on the first night by the Grand Master of Indiana and on the second night by the Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina. Thus, St. John’s Lodge has always participated in historical celebrations involving events in which masons had always played such a prominent part. Masons of Distinction Perhaps no other lodge in North Carolina can boast of contributing more of its distinguished members to the service of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina. St. John’s can proudly claim a total of six Grand Masters who were members of this lodge at the time of there appointment to the Grand Lodge line and for the continued duration of their service to the Grand Lodge until they were elevated to the exalted position of Grand Master. It is a long and distinguished record beginning with the election of John Lewis Taylor as Grand Master. This distinguished jurist who was also Chief Justice was elected Grand Master in 1802, 1803, and in 1804. Subsequently he was called on again to fill this exalted position in 1814, 1815, and in 1816. The next Grand Master from St. John’s Lodge was Alonzo Thomas Jerkins who served as Grand Master in 1850, 1851, and 1852. Following him came another distinguished citizen of New Bern, Charles Cauthorn Clark who was Grand Master in 1870, and 1871. In 1938 Harry Thomas Paterson was Grand Master and he was followed in 1967 by Alfred Abrecht Kafer , Jr. This distinguished servant appointed another member of St. John’s Lodge, Stephen Frank Noble, Jr. As Grand Steward and in 1975, brother noble became Grand Master and he enjoyed the distinction of serving a part of his time during 1976 when the Grand Lodge of North Carolina embarked upon a state-wide program of bicentennial observances. Furthermore, there have been five Grand Masters who at one time or another had membership in St. John’s Lodge and four Grand Master who were honorary members of this same lodge. Surely this is an enviable record for any lodge and speaks most eloquently of the type of membership comprising St. John’s Lodge No. 3. Public Service Members of St. John’s Lodge have gone into practically every field of public and political service and have made noteworthy contributions therein to the nation’s welfare. St. John’s Lodge has contributed at least three Governors to the state of North Carolina, four Chief Justices, one United States Senator, four United States Congressmen, ten Provincial Congressmen, two State Treasures, ten Councillors of State, twenty North Carolina State Senators, three Speakers of the House of the North Carolina general assembly, 47 State Representatives, eight Judges of the Superior Court, nine Postmasters in New Bern, educators and ministers, lawyers, doctors in great numbers; in fact there is hardly any area in which St. John’s Lodge has not been ably represented. It is a magnificent story of successful achievement. Conclusion The concluding thought as expressed in the epilogue of the pageant “ In The Beginning “, provides the stirring challenge for present and future Masons: “ There is hardly an area of progressive living that has not felt the wholesome and dynamic influence of this great Mother Lodge. Ever expanding in its membership and fraternal activities, it continues to serve as one of the giants of Masonry in North Carolina, a beautiful tribute to the wisdom and foresight of its founding fathers who longed for a better lodge and a better community as well as a worthy model for emulation by those who pick up the torch and carry it forward into a glorious future.” And as Past Grand Master Kafer has stated in the attractive souvenir program of that pageant : “ let us never cease in our every effort to make Masonry a bulwark of moral and spiritual strength in this great land of ours. Thus we should be able to transmit this glorious institution, unimpaired, to those who will have every right to look at us as worthy reflectors of the indomitable spirit of those Masonic ancestors of ours who were there “ In The Beginning.” Robert L. Pugh , 33 degree, PGM
St.
John’s Lodge No. 3 AF&AM Is deeply grateful to our Masonic
Historian,
Committee:
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