Berne Lodge No.724 AF & AM

WHO WE ARE:
The world's oldest fraternity in New Bern North Carolina advocating the brotherhood of man under the fatherhood of God.

WHY NEW BERN?:
New Bern, located in Craven County in the central coastal region of the State, is the former colonial capital of the Colony of North Carolina. Founded by the Swiss under Christoph von Graffenried (15 November 1661 – 1743), also known as Baron DeGraffenried. In 1705 DeGraffenried led a group of Swiss and Palatine Germans to North Carolina in British North America. The settlement grew into a village laid out by English surveyor, explorer and naturalist, John Lawson. Lawson and DeGraffenried were captured by local Indians. Lawson unfortunately was executed but DeGraffenried was released and not long afterwards returned to Switzerland where he later wrote a book about his experiences. He died in debt in 1743 in his native Switzerland. A son remained in the Virginia Colony building a new life in America and the New Bern settlement eventually recovered from the ashes of war. Indeed the settlement prospered and grew into a small town becoming the capital of the Colony. It also became home to one of the oldest Masonic Lodges in the Colony, St. John's #3.

ABOUT THE FRATERNITY:
The Masonic Order, brought to North America by European immigrants, is an ancient and worldwide fraternal order open to men of good character, aged 18 and above and who profess a belief in God while seeking a higher purpose for serving their community and others.

THE HISTORY:
The name Freemason appeared as early as 1212 in connection with the master builders who traveled about Europe erecting the wonderful churches and cathedrals, many of which still stand and which attest to the truly amazing building arts of the craftsmen in that early age. These builders were called Freemasons because they were a privileged class, not subject to servitude or taxes, and free to travel about when many were in bondage. While some accounts trace the Masonic Order back to the late 16th and early 17th Centuries, there is no accepted actual record of date when the order of Freemasonry was instituted, however, it is safe to say that it is both ancient and enduring.

"But what is Freemasonry?" You may ask. Moreover, "What do they do?"
Freemasonry is a charitable, benevolent, educational and spiritual society. Its principles are proclaimed as widely as men will hear. Its secrets are in its methods of recognition and of symbolic instruction.

It is charitable in that it is not organized for profit or for the financial benefit of any individual and it is devoted to the promotion of the welfare and happiness of mankind.

It is benevolent in that it teaches and exemplifies altruism as a duty.

It is educational in that it teaches by prescribed ceremonials a system of morality and brotherhood based upon Sacred Law.

It is spiritual in that it requires a belief in deity and the presence of a Volume of the Sacred Law whenever Lodges are in session; yet it is not sectarian or theological.

It is a social organization only so far as it furnishes additional inducement that men may forgather in numbers, thereby providing greater opportunity for its primary work of education, fellowship and charity.

IN NORTH CAROLINA:
Freemasonry has been practiced in North Carolina since the 1730's with several Lodges having been granted charters by the Grand Lodge of England.

After ties with England were broken there became a need for a Masonic body with the authority to charter new lodges. The Grand Lodge of North Carolina was established on December 9th, 1787 and is recognized by the United Grand Lodge of England.

ABOUT BERNE LODGE #724:
Berne Lodge #724 was granted a charter by the Grand Lodge of North Carolina on April 18th, 1962 thereby continuing a long fraternal line worthy of passing on to future generations of men in New Bern and the surrounding region who place their trust in God, are of lawful age, of good report and well recommended. Berne Lodge #724 is one of twelve (12) Masonic Lodges that lie within the 7th Masonic District under the Grande Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina. Lodges are numbered from oldest (lowest number) to the newest (higher number) e.g. Saint John's #3 was chartered by the authority of the Grand Lodge of England in 1772. Berne Lodge #724 was chartered by the Grand Lodge of North Carolina in 1962. Lodges in the 7th Masonic District are listed in the order in which they were chartered:

St. John's 3
516 Hancock St
New Bern, NC 28560

Zion 81
108 E. Lakeview Dr
Trenton, NC 28585

Aurora 300
1085 Main St.
Aurora, NC 27806

Bayboro 331
108 Vandemere Road
Bayboro, NC 28515

Mount Vernon 359
602 Ragan Road
Oriental, NC 28571

Vanceboro 433
630 Farm Life Ave.
Vanceboro, NC 28586

Rainbow 479
8006 NC 306S
Arapahoe, NC 28529

Doric 568
2100 S. Glenburnie Ave.
New Bern, NC 28560

Ionic 583
405 N. Main St.
Cove City, NC 28523

Cherry Point 688
110 Oakwood Dr
Havelock, NC 28532

Berne 724
516 Hancock St.
New Bern, NC 28560

Grantham 725
1702 Old Cherry Point Road
New Bern, NC 28560

In closing, it also worthy to note our founding members James Chance-Junior Warden (PM), Gene Downing Miller-Senior Warden (PM) and Nelson Ryan Banks-Master (PM 1961-1963 and PGM of NC). All of the original charter members have since passed but their legacy lives on.

Berne Lodge #724 supports the Oxford Children's Home, Whitestone Retirement Community and a scholarship fund for selected local students about to embark upon their freshman year of college.

2Be1Ask1.
http://www.grandlodge-nc.org/become-a-mason-membership-process