Beacon Light Masonic Lodge #249

On November 8, 1908, a dispensation was issued by then District Deputy Grand Master M.F. Thornton of the 9th Masonic District to form a new lodge named St. Matthew Lodge in Henderson, NC, with J.E. Baxter as Worshipful Master. The dispensation was received on December 8, 1908 at the 39th Grand Session of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of NC. The following day the name was changed and a Charter was granted to Zebulon Lodge #249, Henderson, NC.

Operating under a dispensation from the Grand Lodge with the guidance of the Supreme Architect, Dr. John E. Baxter Worshipful Master, Samuel Webb Senior Warden, James Gill Junior Warden along with the aid of several other brothers established our lodge. Before the official charter was signed and issued at the 40th Grand Session by the Honorable R.B. McCray the Most Worshipful Grand Master, the name was officially changed to Beacon Light Lodge #249.

It is not known whether these brothers were former members of Prince Hall Lodge #57 of Henderson, NC. However, through the strong leadership of those faithful brethren, L.H. Henderson Senior Deacon received our charter at the 40th Grand Session in Wilmington, NC reflecting that grand day of December 8, 1908, in Raleigh, NC.

Beacon Light Lodge once stood on Breckenridge Road, but with the aid of our Supreme Architect of the Universe, His grace and mercy seeing us through all our endeavors, our brethren completed our current lodge in 1965. Beacon Light Lodge #249 will see another 100 years as brothers remain true to the principles of masonry.