Crown Point Lodge #708 AF & AM

It is with great excitement and optimism for the future that we announce the consolidation of William Pitt 734 and Bethel 589 into Crown Point 708. This action has been formally approved by the Grand Master of Masons in North Carolina effective July 1st, 2026.

This important step brings together decades of Masonic talent, knowledge, leadership, and experience into one lodge. While each lodge has a proud history and unique legacy, we are stronger together. By uniting our brethren, resources, and traditions, we are creating a concentrated center of Masonic excellence that will better serve the 6th District as a “sacred retreat of friendship and virtue” and help ensure the future strength of Freemasonry in Pitt County for the future generations of men who will “knock at the door.”

The strength of our fraternity has always rested in the bonds we share and our commitment to building something greater than ourselves. This consolidation honors the accomplishments of the past while positioning us for a bright and even more promising future. Together, we will preserve the rich heritage of William Pitt 734 and Bethel 589 while continuing to grow and thrive as Crown Point 708. The 6th District will be even stronger than before.

We invite all brethren to join us on the second and fourth Thursday of each month as we begin this new chapter. Let us embrace the opportunities before us, strengthen our fellowship, and continue the work of Freemasonry with renewed purpose and unity.

Your attendance is particularly requested this Thursday night at a special Stated Communication of Crown Point 708. We will be voting on the acceptance of the proposed consolidation with William Pitt 734 and Bethel 589.

What changes if Crown Point 708 accepts the proposed consolidation? Under one lodge, we will have some of the finest, most knowledgeable, and most experienced Masons in North Carolina. This proposed consolidation will strengthen Masonry in Greenville not only for the present, but also for future generations of men who “knock at the door.”

Following the vote, we will test your Masonic knowledge with a round or two of Masonic Jeopardy hosted by our very own Craig Cranford! He’s a budget version of Alex Trebek but always does a great job hosting.

We also have our Lecture Service scheduled for this Saturday beginning at 8:00 AM. Breakfast will be served during the 7 o’clock hour, along with a mid-morning snack for the brethren to enjoy. We will be joined by Ayden 498, William Pitt 734, and Bethel 589, and we look forward to a morning of Masonic knowledge and fellowship.

“I shall not forget the scene. It was on Saturday afternoon. A dull cloud hung in the sky. A man with a one-horse wagon drove to the door. Mr. Mills, with gruff voice, asked his mission. He told it. The gigantic form of our friend shook with emotion. He lifted the pale youth from the wagon with the paw of a lion. He raised him in the air, and with melting pity and tears, let him drop upon his heart and kissed him. It was indeed the caress of the lion, but it was truly the caress of love.”
-recollections of the arrival of the first children at the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford in February 1873

Thank you to WB Alvin Billings, Senior Grand Deacon, for attending and renewing our love and dedication for our beloved Masonic Home for Children at Oxford.

The aim of Freemasonry is to make good men better. We demonstrate our values through acts of compassion, service, and love for others.

Our Masonic Home for Children at Oxford is one of the finest examples of those principles in action, as we provide love, refuge, care, and opportunity to children in need.

A special thank you to the brothers of St. John’s #3, Doric #568, Atlantic #294, Jerusalem #95, Grimesland #475, and William Pitt #734 for attending and for sharing in fellowship with us.

Join us this Thursday evening for a special meeting of Crown Point 708. In attendance will be WB Alvin Billings, Senior Grand Deacon of the Grand Lodge of NC. WB Billings will be discussing our beloved Masonic Home for Children at Oxford, its mission, and opportunities for us to help.

WB Stephen Natale will be serving his famous shepherd’s pie at 6:30 p.m., and the meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m.

We look forward to seeing you all, and as always, call a brother and bring a few guests with you.

Three members of Crown Point - MWB Billy Dill, WB John Burns, Senior Grand Steward, and WB Justin Robinson, Grand Sword Bearer - had the honor of participating in a cornerstone rededication ceremony at St. John’s Lodge No. 3 this past Saturday, commemorating the 225th anniversary of its founding.

Our three brothers, along with MWB Steve Norris, Grand Master, RWB Phil Johnson, Junior Grand Warden, and the officers of St. John’s Lodge No. 3 opened the Grand Lodge in the historic lodge room before proceeding to the cornerstone site, where the stone and plaque were rededicated in Ample Form.

Congratulations to the brethren of St. John’s No. 3 and we wish you 225 more years of spreading the light of Freemasonry!

Great night at Lodge exploring the connection between astronomy and music with a talk by Bro. David Wilkes entitled “The Harmony of the Spheres.”

Bro. Wilkes set the mood well by creating a starry decked heaven to give the brethren time to reflect on the glorious works of creation. It is amazing to consider that the same principles governing the stars also shape music, and what that means for us as Masons. It is a reminder that our work is about bringing that same harmony and balance into our own lives.

We started with a great spaghetti dinner and a dessert of rum cake prepared by WB John Hill and MWB Billy Dill. We were honored to be joined by visitors from Ayden 498, William Pitt 734, and Lucama 527. A special thank you to newly raised Master Mason Derek Combs for visiting us from Lucama.

Join us this Thursday evening for our Stated Communication. Dinner will be served at 6:30 PM and the meeting will begin at 7:30 PM.

Have you ever wondered what the Fellow Craft Degree is truly about, or sensed that there is more to it than meets the eye? Many of us have. Brother David Wilkes, Senior Warden, will present an engaging program entitled “Harmony of the Spheres.” In his own words:

“Masonic enlightenment is founded upon the Seven Liberal Arts and Sciences: Grammar, Rhetoric, Logic, Arithmetic, Geometry, Music, and Astronomy. Mastery of these disciplines was traditionally viewed as essential for personal refinement; without such knowledge, a man was said to be an ‘unfinished house’—structurally sound in potential, but lacking the ceiling of wisdom necessary to protect and serve society. In this discussion, we explore the fraternity’s pivotal role during the Age of Enlightenment and the unique importance of Music and Astronomy as two pillars for contemplating the grandeur of our universe.”

We were honored to recognize the Past Masters who have helped shape our lodge through their leadership, dedication, and love of Freemasonry. Their continued presence and support are a reminder that the strength of our lodge is built on the work of those who came before us.

We began the evening with a great meal of hamburger steak and mashed potatoes. Once the lodge was opened, the Past Masters shared their experiences of leadership and camaraderie during their year in the East and their time in our fraternity. Next, WB Ted Sauls gave a thought-provoking talk entitled, “The More Things Change, The More They May Need to Stay the Same.” The evening was filled with meaningful conversation, reflection, and exciting news about the future of Freemasonry in Greenville. Nights like this remind us of the bonds we share and the traditions we’re proud to carry forward.

A sincere thank you to our visitors from Grifton 243, William Pitt 734, Bethel 589, and Jerusalem 95, who were the first to receive the new Crown Point lapel pin. We look forward to many more nights of fellowship and brotherhood.

The Lambskin, or White Leather Apron, second only to the Square and Compasses, is universally associated with Freemasonry. The white apron is an emblem of innocence and the badge of a Mason, but who knew there were so many versions?

WB Dennis Campbell provided us with a reminder of what the white apron symbolizes, the duties and obligations we are reminded of when we wear it, and the history of its origin. MWB Billy Dill then followed with a presentation of over two dozen aprons and the various modifications he has earned and collected throughout his Masonic journey.

We appreciate all who attended and thank WB John Hill, JW, for providing the delicious meal.

All members and guests are invited to our next meeting, Past Masters Night, on Thursday, April 9th.