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Advertise With UsNEW BERN, N.C. (WITN) — The method to demolish the historic Sudan Shriners Temple in New Bern has begun.
The 42,000-square-foot temple was in-built 1951 and is the birthplace of the Sudan Shriners, a philanthropic group supporting the Shriners Hospitals for Kids.
It closed in 2018 after Hurricane Florence flooded and broken the within.
“It wasn’t repairs that we may afford,” mentioned Robby Sadler, Sudan Shriners Oriental Information. “The county wanted it, in order that they purchased it from us, and now we’re going to maneuver on in one other route.”
Final yr, county commissioners determined to tear it down and switch it right into a parking zone. The county says it’s going to protect parts from the temple, such because the doorway monument and the monument going through Entrance Road.
Sadler mentioned seeing it go brings combined feelings.
“It’s bittersweet,” he mentioned. “Seeing the dome come down is form of onerous to swallow, however we’ve obtained to maneuver on.”
New Bern resident Kevin Strike mentioned he understands why the temple must be torn down, however doesn’t agree with the brand new use for the property.
“I’m unhappy that they’re going to show riverfront property right into a parking zone,” Strike mentioned.
One other resident, Debra Johnson, mentioned she’s unhappy to see it go however thinks the change is critical as a result of town wants extra parking.
“I’m glad that they’re preserving the monument as a result of it’s such , charitable group,” Johnson mentioned.
A county spokesperson mentioned the demolition will start later this month and proceed via December.
Building of the parking zone will then start and run via February 2027.
Sadler mentioned the temple used to host Shriners who got here from out of city as a result of there weren’t many inns. It additionally hosted many dances and a notable Elvis efficiency in 1955.
Copyright 2026 WITN. All rights reserved.
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