Black, White Masons Have Historic Meeting

Bula Lodge 409 AF&AM conferred the second degree in Masonry on three men Monday night, something that is done routinely in the local lodge.

But this meeting was anything but routine. In fact, it might have been the most historic meeting in the long history of Masonry in Alamance County. At this meeting, for the first time ever, the membership of Augustus Lodge 642 F&AM was in attendance and witnessed the degree work for the three men.

Bula Lodge is composed of white members and Augustus Lodge has a black membership. This meeting marked the culmination of a long trek by two groups operating separately and ignoring the existence of the other for many decades.

Last year, at the annual meeting of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, the white Masonic organization in the state, a resolution was approved to officially recognize Prince Hall Grand Lodge, the black organization. Prince Hall had approved such a resolution in 2004.

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The resolution approved by the Grand Lodge last year stated that “the Grand Lodge desires to insure a continuing harmonious relationship between it and Most Worshipful Prince Hall Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina and Its Jurisdictions, Inc. to provide for the successful coexistence of both Grand Lodges to promote Masonry in general among all people . . .

“. . . in the best interest of Masonry everywhere and particular in North Carolina that these two Grand Lodges exercising Masonic jurisdiction in this state mutually recognize each other while each retains its own authority and jurisdiction.”

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