"The History"

Titus Lodge #176

Modern Free and Accepted Masons of the World Inc.

Raleigh, North Carolina

 

Latest Revision 02/12/2018

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Titus Lodge was named for Saint Titus, who was a leader of the early church and a companion of Saint Paul. Except for references in the New Testament, little is known about him. The scriptures say that Saint Paul was opposed to the efforts of Christians to have Titus a gentile Christian to be circumcised according to Jewish Mosaic Law (Galatians 2:3). “But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised,” Paul regarded Titus to be a colleague of exceptional competence and integrity, and entrusted several missions to him. When the church at Corinth rebelled against Paul, Titus carried a stern letter to the congregation and succeeded in reviving their loyalty to Paul. Titus later returned to help collect funds for the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem.

 

Surprisingly, The Book of Acts, which relates much of Paul’s ministry, does not mention him. The pastoral Epistles represent him as working in Dalmatia and Crete. Later tradition records Titus as the first bishop of Crete. His feast is celebrated in the west on February 6th and by eastern Christians on August 25th.

 

In the years preceding 1975 several members of Capital City Lodge #103, Modern Free and Accepted Masons of the World, Inc., were interested in starting a new Lodge in Raleigh, North Carolina. George E. Marshall along with other Brothers organized Titus Lodge #176 in 1975. These Brothers wanted to dedicate this new Lodge to the spirit of teaching Masonic ideals and inspiring Masonic spirit to their members. The following are the Past Masters of Titus Lodge #176: 

 

Brother. George Marshall                       1974 – 1979

 

Brother. James Holloway                        1979 – 1984

 

Brother. Sandy Henderson                       1984 – 1986

 

Brother Leon Davis                             1986 – 1991

 

Brother. Jonathan White                        1991 – 1993

 

Brother. Larue Lyde                            1993 – 1995

 

Brother. Jonathan White                        1995 – 2000

 

Brother. Ricky Arrington                       2000 – 2003                 

 

Brother. Jonathan White                        2003 – 2006

 

Brother. Johnnie Tabron                        2006 – 2010

 

Brother. Andre’ Bagby                          2010 – 2013

 

Brother Khary Wright                           2013 – 2017

 

Brother Andrew Lanier                          2017 - Present

 

Through the past years, Titus Lodge has had several ups and downs. The Lodge has been split three times. In 1982 Titus was split into seven different Lodges for political reasons. Titus Lodge #176 was headed by Brother Sandy Henderson, Benai Lodge was headed by Brother Cedric Hopkins, Abiff Lodge was headed by Brother Luther Jones, Cornerstone Lodge was headed by Brother Charlie Cannon, St. Augustine’s Lodge was headed by Brother Larue Lyde, King’s Lodge was headed by Brother Roy Durham and Jacob Lodge was headed by Brother Cadarye Jordan. Of these seven Lodges, only Titus Lodge #176 and King’s Lodge #137 remain active.

 

In 1993, Titus Lodge #176 was very active in forming a lodge at Shaw University in Raleigh, NC.  That lodge was organized and named Titus Lodge #176-B and was headed by Brother Curtis Wilson as Worshipful Master.  The new lodge grew rapidly and was very instrumental in assisting several charities in the Raleigh area.

 

In 1995 several members of Titus Lodge moved to another jurisdiction. Brother. Jonathan White (then a Past Master) took over the leadership of Titus Lodge #176. Titus Lodge #176 then entered into a rebuilding stage. Several members of the original Titus Lodge #176 and Titus Lodge #176-B, Modern Free and Accepted Masons of the World, Inc., who moved to another jurisdiction returned. We have been and are now dedicated to the original principles of our constitution.

 

In 2016, again several members of Titus Lodge wanted to form an additional lodge in the Raleigh area.  Thirteen members decided to leave and form Silver Square Lodge #1096 with the Worshipful Master as Bro. Gregory James.

 

We will be very busy in the coming years in reviving our membership and being very visible within the community. We are seeking men who believe in GOD and are of good reputation to join us in our organization.

  

Titus Lodge #176 participates in on-going community service projects such as:

 

• Quarterly highway clean-up program on Jones Sausage Road in Raleigh, NC.

• Collecting and delivering canned goods to the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle in Raleigh, NC every December.

• Supported Luxor Grand Lodge #44 with their Annual Toys-4-Tots Program with the U.S. Marines.

• Made monetary donations to the North Carolina Food Bank.

• Made monetary donations to the Susan Komen North Carolina Triangle Race for the Cure Annual Juneteenth Celebration with Fidelity Lodge #277 (IBPOE), in Raleigh, NC

• Assisting Fostering Hope Inc., an organization that among other activities, assists youth in providing materials necessary for back-to-school requirements.

 

Members of Titus Lodge have participated in group activity/charities such as:

 

• Donation of clothing and equipment to the Goodwill Foundation.

• Made monetary donations to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation.

• Assisted in providing The Central Children’s Home of North Carolina with bath cloths, towels, and toiletries, gift cards, staples and laundry supplies for their charges.

• Annual Master Mason Celebration with joint Master Mason Initiation and Anniversary in September of each year.

• Participated in an Annual Joint Fellowship cookout with New Alliance Lodge #769 and New Horizons’ Chapter #178A.

• Monetary Donation to the Guilford County School Supplies Charity.

• Participation in Luxor Grand Lodge Master Mason Retreat.

• Participation with Cornerstone Lodge in Rocky Mt. with their Master Mason Initiation and Raising.

• On-going participation in District #3’ activities.