Demolition begins on historic Sudan Shriners Temple in New Bern

NEW BERN, N.C. (WITN) - The process to tear down the Sudan Shriners Temple has begun.

Crews were out Monday morning working on the destruction of the building that has stood in New Bern since 1951.

The building is the birthplace of the Sudan Shriners, a philanthropic organization supporting the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

In 2018, Hurricane Florence ravaged the building and forced its closure. Last year, county commissioners voted to tear it down and turn it into a parking lot.

The building will be demolished, and the parking lot will be completed in 2027.