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RALEIGH For the first time ever, a group of white Masons from Mecklenburg County stepped into a local black Mason lodge – an “ice breaker” for racial tensions that have persisted for more than 135 years.
After centuries of failing to recognize their counterparts, the predominantly white Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina voted last year to recognize the historically black Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina. The Prince Hall lodge recognized their white counterparts in 2004. Both have Mecklenburg chapters.
Until now, it would have been illegal under Mason regulations for members of one group to step in the other's lodge.
On Monday night, at the Prince Hall lodge on Newland Road in north Charlotte, black and white Masons dressed in tuxedos and suits traded handshakes and hugs before entering for a secret, members-only gathering of rituals.
“I've been looking forward to this for a long time,” Herbie Watts, 65, a past worshipful master for the local Prince Hall lodge, told a group of white Masons as they arrived.
He pulled out a yellow heavily worn card from his wallet, which documents the Prince Hall's charter dating back to the 18th century. He told the white Masons he'd been carrying the card in his wallet for 35 years.
He clasped his hands and took a deep breath.
“You're going to be in awe tonight,” he said. “These brothers are going to see something they've never seen before.”
The two Mecklenburg lodges had never joined in each other's official activities. Last week, though, 47 local Prince Hall members visited the white lodge for a first time.
The Free and Accepted Masons are one of the largest fraternal orders in the world, with millions of members. It began in England in the early 17th century and was originally restricted to stonecutters. The members are known for their charitable works, such as running orphanages and retirement homes.
Mozart was a Mason. So were U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms and former NAACP president Kweisi Mfume.
Members in both Mecklenburg's black and white lodges say the meetings are big step toward mending racial differences.
“Those of us who feel very strongly about this, and feel we are all equal men and all should be equal Masons, are pushing to make this happen,” said Allan Mann, a junior deacon with the Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons. “I met one brother who told me he'd been a Mason for over 70 years and he never thought he'd live to see the day that he'd get to walk into one of our lodges.
“He brought a couple of tears to my eye.”
