Our History

On July 20th, 1948 a group of men were called together to organize a community club, under the leadership of the Reverend E.C. Kent, pastor of the First Union Baptist church at that time. This club was then named the Willing Workers Club of Ellerson and began with a membership of nineteen men. In this meeting it was decided that the Rev. E.C. Kent, District Deputy E.W. Greenhill and Brother Whitehead began training their minds to become Freemasons. 

By October 12th, 1948, they were qualified to be set apart as a lodge of the 26th Masonic district. On that date that PGM Norrell delivered the dispensation to become a lodge under the name of Carey Wheaton Lodge No. 307.

On December 14th, 1948 the Lodge Brothers decided to begin the New Year by holding its meetings in the Odd Fellows Hall. The Carey Wheaton Lodge was consecrated on the 28th day of May, 1949. The Charter members were Brother E.C. Kent, Worshipful Master Rogers C. Wright, Senior Warden J.B. Bagby, Junior Warden Eddie Simpson, Treasurer Walter Howard, Secretary James Brooks, Senior Deacon Washington Cosby, Junior Deacon James Baker, Chaplin Major Thompson, Tiler George Storks, Jr., Ealy Morton, Henry Franklin, James Cosby, Mack Leslie, Ollie Sherman, John Wyatt, Alfred Williams, Nathaniel Crockett and Alvin C. Scott. In November of 1950 the Lodge Brothers mourned the loss of Brother Nathaniel Crockett. 

From January 1948, through June 1952 under the leadership of Brother Rogers E.C. Kent, the Carey Wheaton Lodge grew and made much progress. Plans were being made to by land and to build a temple. In June of 1952 Brother Rogers C. Wright became Master of the Lodge. The Lodge Brothers gave  Worshipful Master Wright the same support as was given to Past Master Kent. On April 14th, 1953 land for a temple was purchased and paid for.

On May 11th, 1954 plans were made fro the groundbreaking of the building on Pole Green Road. Brother Croley conducted this service under the leadership of Worshipful Master Wright. Membership increased and in due time a sister organization was formed. Their organization was the Order of Eastern Star. There sisters did much in assisting in the money raising projects for the building of the new Masonic Hall. 

One June 14th, 1955 Brother James Brooks elected to the East with the problem of an unfinished Temple. Memberships continued to increase and work to raise money to finish the building was also increased. On June 11th, 1957 Brother James Cosby was elected Worshipful Master of Carey Wheaton Lodge No. 307.

On December 10th, 1957 District Deputy Grand Master brought a dispensation to this Carey Wheaton Lodge No. 307, for the purpose of the Brothers holding their regular communications at the new building site.