NEW BERN
St Johns Lodge
About the St Johns Lodge
Saint John’s Lodge is the first Masonic lodge in New Bern, Chartered on January 10, 1772 by Joseph Montfort, Provincial Grand Master of Masons for the United States, under the authority of the Duke of Beaufort, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England, and one of the original lodges in North Carolina. In 2022 the Masons of Saint John’s Lodge No. 3 celebrated their 250th Anniversay. Originally named St. John’s #1, then later changed to St. John’s #2 with the original Montfort charter, and even later changed to St. John’s #3 with the founding of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina. Both the original Charters are displayed in the Historic Lodge Room.
The St. John’s lodge building was completed in 1809 solely through funds and material gathered by the brethren. It houses the Historic Masonic Theater, the oldest continuously operating theatre in the USA. It also contains 2 lodge rooms with one of them being a Historic Masonic Lodge room, decorated with frescoes containing masonic symbolism. The frescoes were first painted in the mid-1800 and completely restored in 2000. Adjacent to the Historic Lodge Room is Lowthrop Hall, a large historic gathering place where the pre-meeting meals are served
Here a statment from the bretheren of the Saint John’s Lodge No. 3:
“Our lodge has a long and storied history. Thousands of men have joined and enjoyed the privileges of our masonic fraternity, among them many prominent members of local society, Statesmen and Innovators. Scanning the wall of Past Masters one can see 250 years of history through the leadership of those men whose guidance brought us to the present day. With over 200 members on our roles, St. John’s continues to be an active, vibrant lodge, continuing our work to make good men better, and being good stewards of our building, ritual work and fraternity for future generations.
Our stated communications are the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. We invite all Masons in good standing to visit our lodge and be a part of the history of St. John’s Lodge No. 3.”
GAllery
The lodge room is a unique space decorated with frescoes containing Masonic symbolism, first painted in the mid-1800s and restored in 2000.
Adjacent to the Historic Lodge Room is Lowthrop Hall, a large historic gathering place where the pre-meeting meals are served
