In The Beginning...

Due to the large memberships of the three existing Prince Hall lodges in Durham N.C., the District Deputy Grand Master Maurice Meadows asked for a dispensation to organize a new lodge. The first meeting to formalize plans for the new lodge was held at Zafa Temple #176 in July, 1976. The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of North Carolina granted the dispensation. 

 During the Fourteenth District meeting, held at St. James Lodge #494 in Hillsborough N.C on September 11, 1976, the birth of Shepard Memorial Lodge #840 took place. Twelve men Henry W. Patterson, Zelotis Woody, Kenneth Thompson, Robert E. Page, Melvin Solomon, Lewis Partridge, Arnold F. Harris, Jasper Mcneil, Carlton Solomon, Earnest J. Cole, Clinton Locust and Daniel E. Yarborough, were initiated, passed, and raised to the subline degree of a Master Mason. The following officers were elected for the new lodge. Worshipful Master, Brother Arnold F. Harris, Senior Warden Brother Jasper Mcneil, Junior Warden Brother Melvin Solomon, Secretary Brother Carlton Solomon, and Treasurer Brother Earnest Cole. 

 Shepard Memorial Lodge #840 was appropriately named after Dr. James E. Shepard, one of North Carolina’s truly great patriots. Dr. Shepard was president and founder of North Carolina Central University. This university was the first state supported liberal arts college for blacks in North America. Dr. Shepard served as the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Prince Hall free and accepted Masons of North Carolina from 1920 to 1928 and 1936 to 1947. Dr. Shepard’s view of human relationships was translated into reality through the many aspects of fraternal, religious, business activities which he encouraged in his local community and state. 

 The membership of Shepard Memorial Lodge #840 grew from twelve (12) in 1976 to 90 in 1986. During Shepard’s ten year existence, the lodge won several outstanding 14th District alwards. In 1978 an Eastern Star Chapter, Star of Hope #659, was organized as Shepard’s sister Chapter. Shepard Memorial Lodge #840 has contributed to numerous charitable events and promoted good human relations with the local community. A chronological review of Past Worshipful Masters or Shepard Memorial Lodge #840 is as follows: 

•  WM. Arnold Harris – 1976 - 1977 
•  WM. Donald Moore – 1977- 1978 
•  WM. Jasper Mcneil Sr. – 1978 - 1980 
•  WM. Wallace Toole – 1980 - 1981 
•  WM. James Wall – 1981 - 1982 
•  WM. Mike Burroughs – 1982 - 1984 
•  WM. William Lunsford – 1984 - 1985 
•  WM. Thomas Ingram – 1985 - 1987 
•  WM. Rodney Witherspoon – 1987 - 1988 
•  WM. Nelson Kerr – 1988 
•  WM. Clemuel Grandy – 1989 - 1991 
•  WM. Fred Mitchell – 1991 - 1992 
•  WM. Michael Hughes – 1992 - 1994 
•  WM. Craige Jones – 1994 - 1995 
•  WM. George Langley – 1995 – 1997 *** Served 3 terms 
•  WM. William Johnson – 1997 - 1999 
•  WM. Anthony Nesmith - 1999 - 2001 
•  WM. George Langley – 2001- 2002 
•  WM. Willie Harris – 2002- 2003 
•  WM. Rodney Witherspoon – 2003 - 2004 
•  WM. Eric Cherry -2004 - 2006 
•  WM. Thomas Smith – 2006 - 2007 
•  WM. William Johnson – 2007 – 2008 *** Served 3 terms 
•  WM. Reginald Lunsford – 2008 - 2010 
•  WM. Timothy Cherry Sr. – 2010 - 2012 
•  WM. Anthony Pierce – 2012 - 2014 
•  WM. Dontre Bullock – 2014 – 2015 
•  WM. Rodney Bratcher – 2015 – 2017 
•  WM. Solomon Wells – 2017-2019
•  W.M. Gary Witherspoon - 2019 - 2021
•  W.M. Rodney Bratcher - 2021 - 2022
•  W.M. Ronald Lance - 2023 - 2024