History

Celebrating 50 Years! (1965-2015)

A full length history of our lodge is now available online. We also have hardcopies available on Amazon.

James Bryan Green : September 2, 1873 - September 11, 1964

James Bryan Green was born on September 2, 1873 in Wake County, North Carolina to Bryan W. Green and Mary Jeffreys Green. Our brother married Mary Rose Morgan of Dublin, Virginia in 1907. They were married for 19 years until Mary Rose's death in 1926. They were the parents of two daughters, Sarah Adell and Margaret Rose. Sarah married Hubert M. McLendon, a Charter Member of James B. Green Lodge.

Our brother was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in Hiram Lodge No. 40, A.F. & A.M. on December 12, 1901. He served as Master of Hiram Lodge in 1905 and again in 1906. He affiliated with Neuse Lodge No. 97, A.F. & A.M. in 1923. He was elected Treasurer of that Lodge in 1936 and remained so until his death. Neuse Lodge No. 97 became Millbrook Lodge No. 97 in 1945 and was once known as Forestville Lodge No. 97.

Our Brother received his 50-year Membership Award in 1952 from the Grand Lodge of North Carolina and was made a "Life Member" of Millbrook Lodge in 1953. He received the "Golden Jubilee Award" in 1963. He was a member of the York Rite Bodies of Raleigh.

James Bryan Green died on September 11, 1964. His funeral was held at Millbrook United Methodist Church, with Masonic Graveside Services in the church cemetery.

Short History of James B. Green Lodge

In the spring of 1965, Worshipful Brother James Starling Johnson Jr. - who had just completed his tenure as Master of Raleigh Lodge No. 500, A.F. & A.M. - and Brother Stuart Buchanan discussed the possibility of forming a new Masonic lodge. It had been about 65-years since the last lodge was instituted as Raleigh Lodge No. 500 in the year 1900. Knowing these Brethren to be young men, it was assumed that neither was a Charter Member of Raleigh Lodge No. 500. Their enthusiasm was contagious. Soon, Brother Jimmy was at the Grand Lodge of North Carolina office to relate his idea to the Grand Secretary, Most Worshipful Brother Charles A. Harris, PGM, and to Worshipful Brother Hiram Casebolt, who were all in agreement with the idea.

Communication was made with all of the lodges in the district, all of which were also in agreement. Cards were signed by 37 Master Masons who were intent on becoming Charter Members of the new lodge.

James B. Green Lodge #735 Charter Members

James C. Abrams	Alexander Holder Jr.
William R. Abrams	James S. Johnson Jr.
Lenzy L. Ashworth	J. C. Knowles
Clifton N. Bagley	Charles A. Lloyd
Robert L. Ballard	Lonnie D. Lloyd Jr.
William C. Beamon	Hubert M. McLendon
Stuart L. Buchanan	William W. Melvin
Claiborn W. Burnette	William D. Moon
Albert B. Congleton	Jack Moore
Melbourne G. Davis	Jack D. Moore
Henry W. Dempster Jr.	George C. Poythress
Harold W. Earp	Bobby R. Senter
Donald M. Etheridge	Marvin J. Spivey
Paul Etheridge Jr.	George L. Stockstill
Charles E. Graham	James E. Swindell Jr.
Daniel E. Harrell	Herbert W. Wheless
Roy M. Harris	M. Eugene White
Willard T. Hawkins	George A. Yancey
Willie A. Hawkins

A petition was then filed with the Grand Lodge. On October 11, 1965, the Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother Sam A. Hennis Jr., issued a dispensation establishing James B. Green Lodge UD. The name "James B. Green" was selected to honor Worshipful Brother James Bryan Green, Past Master of Hiram Lodge No. 40, A.F. & A.M., who during his long and useful life was a devoted member of the Craft.

Several offers were made for a meeting place, and on the invitation of Millbrook Lodge No. 97, our meetings were held in that lodge hall until a building of our own was completed.

At its annual communication in April 1965, The Grand Lodge unanimously approved the petition of James B. Green Lodge UD to be constituted as James B. Green Lodge No. 735, A.F. & A.M.

An emergent communication was called for James B. Green Lodge members only on November 28, 1969 to vote on buying a building on Glenwood Avenue, to buy a lot in the North Hills area, or to proceed to buy an unimproved lot for the building of a Lodge Hall. All of these items failed to pass. The possibilities of moving our meeting place to the old Grand Lodge Hall in downtown Raleigh was also discussed. After this meeting, every member began an earnest search for property on which to build.

In 1970, we were getting near to the day when we would have our own building. At our February 10, 1970 stated communication, Brother L. D. Lloyd, a Trustee, informed the Lodge that we might be able to purchase some property on Jeffreys School Road (the street name was later changed to Lynn Road). The Trustees were authorized to determine the zoning of the property and to obtain an option to purchase the property, not to exceed $6,000. This time, we were successful and were on our way to a new home on Lynn Road.

At our stated communication on July 14, 1970, our Trustees were given approval to secure a loan of $15,000 from Raleigh Savings & Loan Association for the construction of our building on Lynn Road. The Lodge received a dispensation from the Grand Lodge dated August 24, 1970 to construct a Lodge Hall in accordance with the plans submitted.

Our building was constructed by the members of James B. Green Lodge. Every nail that was driven (except for the shingles) was put there by some member of our Lodge at that time. There was never any discontent or grumbling by anyone and it did not rain in the daytime during the actual construction of the building. The furniture of the Lodge was made by the Brethren.

On February 12, 1971, the Grand Lodge granted our request for the Lodge to hold our first stated communication in our newly completely building on February 23, 1971. Worshipful Brother Harold Jones, Master, requested Worshipful Brother Jack D. Moore, PM, to fill the East and open the Lodge for the first time in our new building. Worshipful Brother Jack was Master during the construction of the building. When we worked nights and Saturdays, he was seldom absent. At the end of the meeting, Worshipful Brother Harold Jones requested Brother George L. Stockstill to fill the East and close the Lodge.

On Saturday, October 9, 1971, the Grand Lodge of North Carolina held an emergent communication at James B. Green Lodge for the purpose of dedicating our new building. The Grand Lodge was opened in ample form by Most Worshipful Brother William W. Mimms, Grand Master. The Grand Master dispensed with labor and several guests were admitted. The Ceremony of Dedication was then conducted with the usual Masonic custom. Special guests included Mrs. Sarah Green McLendon and Miss Margaret Green, the daughters of James Bryan Green.

Lifetime Members

Past Officers

• 1965-2023

In Memoriam