NC's St. John's No. 3's Historic Building

The Brethren of New Bern, North Carolina's historic St. John's Lodge No. 3, founded in 1772, have announced that the ownership of their 1801 original temple building has come back into their hands, officially, for the first time in over a century. They are again in control of their own destiny (with all of the rewards - and challenges - that entails).

From their Facebook page on Thursday:

For the first time in more than 100 years, St. John's Lodge No. 3, New Bern, now owns its original 1801 lodge building in its entirety. St. John's Lodge sold its building to the Scottish Rite in 1914 retaining ownership of its historic lodge room only. Now, after complex negotiations, the Scottish Rite has returned to St. John's Lodge, by quit claim deed, its original lodge building, plus the now-abandoned Scottish Rite Temple seen on the left, as well as an adjacent parking lot. This is an exciting (and frightening) time for St. John's Lodge No. 3. We choose, however, to move forward with hope and confidence as we begin to rehabilitate these buildings and make them living, useful spaces again. The support and prayers of all the Brethren across North Carolina are earnestly solicited. SO MOTE IT BE!

A comparison of the old and new photos above of their magnificent lodge room shows it remains very much as it was in its earlier days. Congratulations to these brethren as they move forward in their endeavors. Treasure's like theirs are rare indeed and I wish them great success.

H/T Will Moore