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At the turn of the 20th Century, U.S.
Freemasonry was expanding due to railroad employment, business
connections, and the recent establishment of the Mystic Shrine. To
address the need of local Masons for the “higher degrees” the AASR, S.J.
created the orient of N.C. consisting of eight Valleys.
The Valley of Raleigh was chartered in 1918 with
the creation of the Carl A. Woodruff Lodge of Perfection No 7. In 1919,
the John C. Drewry Chapter of Rose Croix No. 7 was created to elevate
Raleigh area master Masons to the 18°
During this period the Orient of N.C. was divided
into membership territories. The Valley of Raleigh received membership
fro the surrounding counties for elevation to the 18°
Those brethren seeking elevation to the 30°
and 32° had to be received by
other Valleys. Generally, those brethren located west of Raleigh went
to the Valley of Greensboro, those located north and east of Raleigh
went to New Bern, those south and southeast of Raleigh went to
Wilmington, each respectful of the established territorial
requirements.
In the late 1940’s, the Scottish Rite membership
in the Valley of Raleigh, as in other Valleys, grew tremendously.
By the 1960’s, the Valley of Raleigh petitioned
the Supreme council for a Charter to work the 30°.
In 1961, the Raleigh Council of Kadosh was chartered. Membership was
originally established by the transfer of brethren, being Raleigh
members to the 18°, from other
Valleys where they held 30°
membership. 1965 saw the creation of Raleigh Consistory and the
authority to work the 32°.
Original Consistory membership was created as was Council membership.
Membership continued to grow as classes throughout
the 1960’s reached to almost one hundred candidates. Territorial
requirements were removed in the 1960’s, remaining only as the
requirement for a person to join the Consistory in a county of
residence.
In the early 1970’s, membership in the Valley
peaked at about 2500. Since then, gradual reduction in members through
death, demit, NPD, and smaller classes have reduced the Valley
membership to about 1700.
Membership recruitment is still affected by the
past and now nonexistent territorial limits. The illusion of territory
still exists and Raleigh membership is essentially from Wake and Durham
counties with scattered membership in the periphery of surrounding
counties.
Not withstanding membership loss, Valley
participation has remained strong. Degree work is of good quality,
properties are of good quality and the Valley is on a fairly sound
financial footing.
However, the reunions, once well attended are now
poorly attended. Degree workers are fewer, but doing more parts. Our
investment income is being increasingly used for operations.
The brief history, for the purpose of reflection a
base from which to develop a precise and focused mission, can address
the above questions in terms of how things have come to be, but cannot
address how things will be.
The scenario presented above reflects a
diminishing organization. Yet all through our organization we see signs
of strength.
We look at nonattendance, but we live in a busy
world. Our membership is present at churches, youth activities, and
other functions. Our membership in the public and the craft is
visible.
Our degree participants are fewer, but those who
seek the educational, spiritual, and dramatic facets of our organization
are very visible.
The brief history, to address a mission, brings us
from where we have been to consideration of where we are going.
Considerations are facilities, financing, operation, and membership and
the continuing encouragement of interpretation through degree conferral,
communication, and educational programs. Our public face and image is
to be considered. Who are our members in the general public; what
effect do we have on or for the general good of society? Most critical
of all, are we facing extinction of our order.
If we
are not growing in membership are we dying? Will we be brave enough to
look at declining membership, not as a fatal blow, but an opportunity as
a clear focus on our future regeneration?
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