Duplin Masons to reveal cornerstone time capsule
By From staff reports
Published in News on November 16, 2011 1:46 PM
KENANSVILLE -- St. John's Masonic Lodge No. 13 will host a meeting of the North Carolina Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons Friday at 10 a.m. at the Lodge, 113 Lodge St.
The Deputy Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina will attend, along with members of Beulah Lodge No. 110 and other Prince Hall affiliated members.
The purpose of the meeting is to celebrate the Masonic laying of the cornerstone of the Duplin County Courthouse which took place on Friday, Nov. 17, 1911.
Later in the day, the contents of the time capsule that was placed in the cornerstone will be revealed and a new time capsule will be placed inside the newly re-dedicated cornerstone.
At 10:30 a.m., the Masons will form a procession and march to the courthouse, about two blocks away.
At 11 a.m., a public ceremony will be held in the Superior Court Room on the second floor of the courthouse. Local elected officials will speak, focusing on the history of their positions, and Freemasons who have preceded them in their respective offices.
Charles Ingram, past grand master of Masons, will be the keynote speaker and will discuss the historical significance of the cornerstone as it relates to Freemasonry. This will be followed by a PowerPoint presentation revealing the contents of the cornerstone as placed 100 years ago.
At noon, a ceremony will be held on the courthouse grounds, at the cornerstone, to celebrate the re-laying of the cornerstone by the two Grand Lodges.
Senior Grand Warden Dalton Mayo will be presiding for the North Carolina Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons, and Deputy Grand Master Jackie Robinson will be presiding for the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina.
At the conclusion of this ceremony, the public is invited back to the newly refurbished St. John's Masonic Lodge No. 13 for a barbecue lunch and open house. The Lodge building is more than 150 years old, having been completed on Dec. 27, 1860, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
St. John's Masonic Lodge No. 13 is one of the oldest lodges in North Carolina, having been organized on Nov. 20, 1788. The first master of the Lodge was Revolutionary War Brig. Gen. James Kenan, and there have been many men of distinction who have followed him, said Brian Bullard, master of St. John's Masonic Lodge No. 13.
Known for its charitable endeavors, including the support of widows and orphans, the Lodge meets on the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. beginning with a meal followed by a meeting.
"It will be exciting to reveal the contents of the cornerstone after 100 years," Bullard said. "There will be some fascinating artifacts displayed.
"I look forward to jointly performing the re-laying of the cornerstone ceremony with the Prince Hall Masons. Members of our Lodge are especially excited about welcoming the public into our beautiful lodge for lunch."
Questions or requests for additional information may be directed to Bullard at (910) 267-3151 or brian@bullardfirm.com.