NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
1973 SESSION
RESOLUTION 25
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 459
A JOINT RESOLUTION HONORING THE OXFORD MASONIC ORPHANAGE IN ITS CENTENNIAL YEAR, COMPLIMENTING THE INSTITUTION FOR ITS ENDEAVORS AND CONTRIBUTIONS OVER THE YEARS, AND RECOGNIZING ITS PIONEERING EFFORT IN ORGANIZING CHILD CARE IN OUR STATE.
Whereas, this is the centennial year of existence for the Oxford Masonic Orphanage; and
Whereas, February 24, 1973, will be the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Oxford Masonic Orphanage; and
Whereas, the General Assembly of North Carolina desires to honor and specially recognize the Oxford Masonic Orphanage in this its centennial year; and
Whereas, the General Assembly of North Carolina wishes to compliment the Oxford Masonic Orphanage on its endeavors and contributions to child care in North Carolina; and
Whereas, the General Assembly of North Carolina recognizes the pioneering efforts in the field of child care by the Oxford Masonic Orphanage.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
Section 1. The General Assembly of North Carolina hereby recognizes the outstanding contribution to the State by the Oxford Masonic Orphanage, and congratulations are offered in this the centennial year of the institutions existence.
Sec. 2. The important events in the history of the Oxford Masonic Orphanage are detailed as follows:
Following the era of Anti-Masonic fervor, Masonic philanthropy was begun during the decade of 1830. The Grand Lodge of North Carolina began an attempt to establish a "Charity School" in 1838. The rapid growth of the fraternity enabled the purchase of 109 acres of land in Oxford, and the proposed college was named St. John's College for the patron saints of the Order.
The College building was begun, the cornerstone was laid June 24, 1855, and the school opened July 13, 1858. The school never achieved much success, and ceased operations during the Civil War.
During the years of reconstruction it was impossible to reestablish a school in the St. John's College Building. There arose a movement to dispose of the property, which was decided during the Grand Lodge meeting December 2, 1872. One resolution was introduced to sell the property, but John H. Mills introduced a substitute that "the St. John's College be made into an asylum for the protection, training and education of indigent orphan children." The vote resulted in a tie, which was decided by the vote of the presiding Grand Master, John A. Nichols. Mr. John H. Mills was elected Superintendent and five hundred dollars ($500.00) was appropriated.
While Mr. Mills was disposing of the Biblical Recorder, he secured the services of Reverend A. D. Cohen to act as steward in preparing the building for children. February 22, 1873, a wagon drove in and Mr. Mills received into his arms: Robert L. and Nancy Parrish, and Isabella Robertson of Granville County. This event was the creation of child care in North Carolina.
The early years were involved in struggle against poverty, indifference and open hostility. Mr. Mills traveled extensively, often with his "Singing Class", to secure help. Prominent churches adopted the new institution and consecrated the Thanksgiving Season as the gift period.
Mars Hill College was given to the Oxford Trustees and opened as a mountain unit in 1874. However, a reversal clause in the deed prevented the transfer. An attempt was also made to operate the unit in Asheville, but it too failed.
During the General Assembly of North Carolina, 1879, Governor Zebulon Vance recommended an in-service grant for assistance to the institution. The Legislature appropriated three thousand dollars ($3,000), which began the State participation in child care. When the Charter was enacted, it provided for a Board of Directors consisting of nine Masons: six to be chosen by the Grand Lodge and three appointed by the Governor of North Carolina.
A major decision was made by the Grand Lodge in 1880 to concentrate all of its charitable child care in Oxford.
Mr. John H. Mills resigned in 1884 and later helped establish the Baptist Orphanage which bears his name in Thomasville.
The next decade was a transition period with administrations of several Superintendents for brief tenure: Dr. Benjamin F. Dixon, Reverend Junius T. Harris, Dr. William S. Black, and Reverend Nathanial M. Lawrence.
The Governor of North Carolina appointed Mr. J. B. Duke as a Director in 1891. He inspired the Masonic fraternity to raise approximately twenty-one thousand dollars ($21,000). The services of Colonel William J. Hicks were employed as architect to design the present campus and erect suitable buildings. Fourteen brick buildings were erected, including the Royster Cottage, in 1910.
Colonel Hicks was elected Superintendent in 1898 and Miss Nettie Nichols Bemis was employed to standardize the school. The John Nichols School became accredited in 1923, the same year the name was changed. It became a public school in 1931 with Orphanage supplement to maintain standards.
Mr. Richmond Lee Brown was installed as Superintendent in 1911. During his tenure an infirmary and school were erected and plans made for the erection of the Dunn Cottage and Duke Building.
Dr. Creasy Kinion Proctor was elected Superintendent in 1928. The two buildings were completed, but the great depression caught the Orphanage deeply in debt. Recovering from the depression debt and encountering war economy greatly retarded improvement plans.
The modern long-range building program began in 1951. It includes the following: 10 cottages for children, St. John's Building, Food Center, Chapel, Recreational Building, Vocational Building, two Staff Residences, and extensive renovation of older buildings. Four buildings remain to be replaced.
For 100 years the Masons of our jurisdiction have applied Masonic love to the lives of children upon the basis of the child's need. Two outstanding characteristics exemplify the greatness of the ideal of Masonic beauty which motivates Oxford Orphanage. Firstly, the Orphanage is owned and maintained by the Grand Lodge for the purpose of providing care and training for all indigent children who are approved for its care. Here the children live in the surrounding of a beautiful campus, participate in a program of wholesome training and are transformed into useful, productive citizens. Secondly, the Orphanage depends upon voluntary gifts to maintain its program. No assessment has ever been made against any Mason or Lodge in North Carolina for the support of the program of the Oxford Orphanage.
The Orphanage campus is located on 400 acres of rolling land within the city of Oxford, and occupies the highest and the most beautiful site in the surrounding area. The land, buildings and equipment are valued at four million one hundred twenty-three thousand eight hundred twenty dollars and twenty-nine cents ($4,123,820.29). The grounds are beautifully landscaped. The main campus is completely sheltered by giant oak trees with liberally appointed shrubs, flowers and small trees encompassed within smooth well-kept lawns.
The buildings are colonial type, fireproof, brick structures. At the present time the capacity is 318 children. They are cared for on an individual basis and are maintained in the Orphanage throughout high school or as long as conditions of their family require their care. Post-graduate training is provided for those who reveal marked ability.
The entire care of the children is assumed by the Orphanage wherein is provided home life in air-conditioned cottages, food in central dining room, clothing through central supply upon an individual basis, recreational activities, complete health care including medical, surgical, dental, orthodontic, psychiatric and other health needs through cooperation with outside facilities.
Religious activities include chaplain services, Sunday School, worship hours, religious literature and the children hold membership in the four churches of Oxford.
Children attend consolidated units of public school including John A. Nichols, D. N. Hix and J. F. Webb High School.
On the campus of Oxford Orphanage we can see the beautiful results of 100 years of Masonic philanthropy, but we must view the entire world to know the spiritual power of this special love that has been engendered into the lives of thousands of boys and girls; who, having lived beneath the giant oaks in Oxford Orphanage, are infusing the world with their interpretations of Masonic Love.
Sec. 3. The Secretary of State shall cause copies of this resolution to be transmitted to the office of the Oxford Masonic Orphanage, in Oxford, North Carolina.
Sec. 4. This resolution shall become effective upon ratification.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 26th day of February, 1973.