Masonic Temple and Theater
Also known as: St. John's Lodge No. 3,A.F. & A.m.
Why it's listed
Built between 1802 and 1809 at 516 Hancock Street in New Bern, this tall brick building has housed both a Masonic lodge and a theater for over two centuries. John Dewey, a local house carpenter and member of St. John's Lodge No. 3, drew the plans and supervised construction. The theater was in use by 1805 and has operated almost continuously since, becoming a movie house in 1917. During the Civil War the building served as a Confederate arsenal and then a Union hospital. Additions in 1904 and later remodeling changed the exterior, and none of the original theater interiors survive. The top floor keeps its Federal Lodge Room, where trompe l'oeil paintings of Masonic symbols and virtues, painted in 1847, cover the walls and ceiling. Nearby Lowthrup Hall has served public gatherings since it was finished. The building was listed for its local historic value, its Federal architecture, and the unusually well-preserved painted decoration, which appears unique in North Carolina.
Significance in brief: The building has local historic value for its ties to prominent New Bern citizens and for its long continuous use as a Masonic hall and theater. It is also a fine Federal structure that remains much as built despite remodeling. Its most notable feature is the well-preserved set of mid-nineteenth century trompe l'oeil paintings in the Lodge Room, apparently unique in North Carolina.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 72000946, listed March 16, 1972. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 516 Hancock St., New Bern |
|---|---|
| County | Craven County |
| Listed | March 16, 1972 |
| Reference number | 72000946 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | John Dewey (house carpenter and Mason, named as architect in the 1809 consecration minutes) |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Areas of significance | Art, Entertainment/Recreation, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Excellent condition; altered; still in use as a Masonic lodge and movie theater. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 35.11098, -77.04000 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Religious properties are listed for their architectural or historical significance, not their religious use. Listing is honorary and does not restrict the congregation's use of the building. The federal rehabilitation credit is generally unavailable unless part of the building is income-producing; some state programmes and preservation grants do cover religious buildings. Federal funding or permits trigger Section 106 review.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 72000946.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6783795
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.