Our Story · Chartered May 5, 1979
A lodge born of a small Yadkin village
For many years, Clemmons remained a small village on the westernmost edge of Forsyth County near the Yadkin River. As it became the fastest-growing community in the county, the Master Masons who called it home gathered to give it a lodge of its own.
The Founding
From a meeting at Clemmons Baptist Church to a lodge of our own.
Many Master Masons made their home in Clemmons during the rapid growth of the late 1960s and 1970s. After several earlier attempts to establish a Masonic lodge in the village had failed, Brother Larry Kirby called a meeting on January 16, 1978 at Clemmons Baptist Church. He believed there were finally sufficient numbers of Masons in Clemmons to support a lodge.
Twenty-seven Master Masons answered the call. On a show of hands, nineteen indicated an interest in demitting to form a new lodge while eight declined. Worshipful Brother B. A. Byrd, District Deputy Grand Master of the 46th Masonic District, shared the steps that would be necessary — recommending at least fifty members for a sound financial base, though fewer would be acceptable.
Brothers Larry Kirby and Ron Dodson were appointed co-chairmen of the organizing committee, joined by Brothers Charles Anderson, Jim Smith, Arvil Stanley, John Canupp, and Felix Hege. A second meeting on January 30, 1978 confirmed that thirty members would be sufficient to begin. On March 20, Right Worshipful Brother Pete Dudley met with the group to review Grand Lodge requirements.
On April 10, 1978, eleven Master Masons unanimously approved the name Clemmons Lodge. On a motion by Brother John Boyer, it was agreed that Stated Communications would be held on the first Monday of each month at 7:30 PM, with other meetings called as needed. A temporary meeting place was secured from Dr. W. E. Berry, who offered a portion of the lower level of his office in Clemmons — and the brothers themselves prepared the space to meet Grand Lodge requirements.
The institution of Clemmons Lodge was held on Friday, November 3, 1978 at 8:00 PM at the Masonic Temple in Winston-Salem. Most Worshipful Grand Master Jacob C. Goodman, Jr. presided and granted a Dispensation to thirty-three brethren to form Clemmons Lodge, U.D. The Dispensation and the gavel were delivered to the Worshipful Master, John Canupp, P.M.
The ceremony of Constitution of Clemmons Lodge #755 followed on May 5, 1979 at the Masonic Temple in Winston-Salem. Most Worshipful Grand Master William B. Belois presided, and the Charter was formally presented to Worshipful Brother John Canupp, P.M.
Property was eventually purchased on Stadium Drive, and the lodge building was completed in March 1987. Clemmons Lodge #755 has experienced steady growth in the decades since, with current membership approaching one hundred brothers and more going through the degrees.
A Chronology
From dispensation to working lodge.
Jan 16, 1978
The First Meeting
Brother Larry Kirby calls a meeting at Clemmons Baptist Church. Of the 27 Master Masons present, 19 indicate interest in demitting to form a new lodge. Worshipful Brother B. A. Byrd, District Deputy Grand Master of the 46th Masonic District, outlines the steps required.
Jan 30, 1978
The Committee Forms
Brothers Larry Kirby and Ron Dodson are appointed co-chairmen, joined by Charles Anderson, Jim Smith, Arvil Stanley, John Canupp, and Felix Hege. Worshipful Brother Byrd confirms a minimum of 30 members would be sufficient.
Mar 20, 1978
Grand Lodge Guidance
Right Worshipful Brother Pete Dudley meets with the group to review Grand Lodge requirements for forming a new lodge.
Apr 10, 1978
A Name and a Night
Eleven Master Masons unanimously approve the name 'Clemmons Lodge.' On a motion by Brother John Boyer, Stated Communications are set for the first Monday of each month at 7:30 PM.
Nov 3, 1978
Lodge Instituted Under Dispensation
At 8:00 PM at the Masonic Temple in Winston-Salem, Most Worshipful Grand Master Jacob C. Goodman, Jr. grants a Dispensation to thirty-three brethren to form Clemmons Lodge, U.D. The gavel is delivered to Worshipful Master John Canupp, P.M.
May 5, 1979
Constituted as Lodge #755
Most Worshipful Grand Master William B. Belois presides over the ceremony of Constitution at the Masonic Temple in Winston-Salem. The Charter is formally presented to Worshipful Brother John Canupp, P.M.
Mar 1987
The Lodge Building Completed
After meeting in temporary quarters provided by Dr. W. E. Berry, property is purchased and the lodge building at 6210 Stadium Drive is completed in March 1987.
Today
Active & Growing
Clemmons Lodge #755 has experienced steady growth, with current membership approaching one hundred brothers — and more going through the degrees.
A Village on the Yadkin
"For many years, Clemmons remained a small village on the westernmost edge of Forsyth County near the Yadkin River."
— From the lodge's own history
The First Line · 1979
The brothers who opened the lodge.
The first installed officers of Clemmons Lodge #755, as recorded in the constitution ceremony of May 5, 1979.
Worshipful Master
John K. Canupp, P.M.
Senior Warden
Larry Kirby
Junior Warden
Henry Hendrix
Treasurer
Roy Raines
Secretary
Ronald W. Dodson
Senior Deacon
John Boyer
Junior Deacon
Danny Hodge
Senior Steward
Dale S. Liner
Junior Steward
Earl C. Baker
Chaplain
Paul P. Ranson
Tyler
J. Frank Cook
2026 Officers
The brothers who carry the work forward.
The current line of Clemmons Masonic Lodge #755, A.F. & A.M.
Worshipful Master
Charles Hayes
Senior Warden
Lindsey Lobree, PM
Junior Warden
John "Nick" Halages
Treasurer
Thomas Erickson, PM
Secretary
Anthony Papineau, PM
Assistant Secretary
Jeff Cardwell
Senior Deacon
Bradford "Brad" Jones
Junior Steward
Austin Pickron
Chaplain
Neal Johnson, PM
Tyler
Wesley G. Walker, PM
A Lodge Prepared By Its Own
Brothers who prepared their own meeting place.
Long before the present lodge building rose at 6210 Stadium Drive, the brothers met in space generously offered by Dr. W. E. Berry in the lower level of his Clemmons office. It fell to the brothers themselves to prepare that temporary space to meet Grand Lodge requirements.
That same spirit carried into the lodge's permanent home. The building completed in March 1987 stands as a working lesson in the craft Freemasonry teaches: a building is more than its walls — it is the record of the men who made it possible.
Building good men. Strengthening Clemmons.
Since 1979 · A.F. & A.M.
What is Freemasonry?
A system of morality, veiled in allegory.
The Grand Lodge of North Carolina describes Freemasonry as a fraternity intended to unite good men of varied backgrounds and make them better husbands, fathers, and citizens through friendship, morality, brotherly love, introspection, philosophy, charity, and goodwill.
Modern Freemasonry traces its lineage to the stonemason guilds of medieval Europe, whose tools — the square, compass, plumb, and level — became enduring symbols of moral and personal development.
A Freemason is required to believe in a Supreme Being, but the fraternity is not a religion. Men of every faith are welcome, and discussion of sectarian religion or partisan politics has no place in the lodge. Freemasonry is also not a recruiting organization — a man must seek it of his own free will.
Grand Lodges of the World
Grand Temple · Freemasons' Hall, London
1 / 7 · Grand Temple · Freemasons' Hall, London
Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Our Lodge
Clemmons Lodge No. 755 A.F. & A.M.
6210 Stadium Drive · Clemmons, North Carolina 27012
Constituted 1979
Constituted May 5, 1979 by Most Worshipful Grand Master William B. Belois at the Masonic Temple in Winston-Salem.
A.F. & A.M.
Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, working under the Grand Lodge of North Carolina.
Stated & Practice Nights
Stated Communication on the first Monday of each month at 7:00 PM, with dinner at 6:00. Practice every Monday at 6:00 PM (except stated meeting nights).
On the Yadkin
The lodge sits at the western edge of Forsyth County, near the Yadkin River — the same village setting that shaped the founding brothers.
Physical Address
6210 Stadium Drive, Clemmons, NC 27012 (this is not a mailing address).
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 365, Clemmons, NC 27012.
Phone
(336) 766-9085
Building Completed
Property was purchased and the lodge building was completed in March 1987.
Ready to take the next step?
The journey begins, as it always has, with a free and voluntary inquiry.