St. Patrick’s Lodge #617, Princeton

The Masonic Lodge in downtown Princeton has a long history, its origin dates back to 1867 and to a local area that is thought to have been St. Patrick’s Parrish. The Masons are hugely interested in history and are continuing to research their own. Your local librarians sat down to an informative interview with the current Master Mason Michael Gerkin, and secretary Bobby Wellons in order to learn more about the history of St. Patrick’s Lodge #617 and our town of Princeton.

The current lodge, a sturdy brick building constructed in 1992, is located at 107 W. First Street in downtown Princeton. At one time the Mason’s used upper rooms in the old, old Princeton Community Building which was lost in the Great Ormond Fire of 1978. Sadly the lodge lost everything tangible, including their recorded history, in that fire. One small bit of history the Masons have been working on recollecting is the photos of past Master Masons. We were delighted to see so many of our friends in the framed photos after we took a tour of the lodge after the interview.

The lodge members host a fundraiser once a year, the proceeds go to support a senior living community in Greensboro, NC and a Children’s Home in Oxford, NC as well as the North Carolina Masonic Foundation. Their BBQ Plates are well know throughout the town! It is a not to miss event, typically held the first Saturday in March. The lodge also raises funds for these charities by renting out the spacious dining hall and kitchen. If you are interested in renting for a family event, such as a birthday party or reunion, reach out through their Facebook or come into the library, and your librarians will connect you.

The Masons are a band of brothers, united by their shared commitment, and by the trifold ideas of Morality, Friendship, and Brotherly Love. There is more information about Freemasonry at the lodge available for anyone interested in learning more. We hope this interview is enjoyable and helps all listeners to get to know another working part of our small town community.