Catonsville Odd Fellows Organizations

(This post is provided by our “quest” historian, Rachel Karner.  Rachel is currently pursuing a degree in U.S. History. Welcome Rachel.)

Have you ever driven on Ingleside Avenue in Catonsville and viewed the red brick building at 6 Ingleside Ave , that has the emblem of the Independence Order of Odd Fellows World Wide, Odd Fellows Rebekahs, to the right side of the door? Over the door is a beautiful stained-glass panel, which spells out the lodge’s name: “Providence Lodge No 116”. (See picture)

 But what are the Odd Fellows? How did it get started? 

The Odd Fellows organization originated in London, England in the 17th century. They were often referred to as “friendly societies” because of the assistance they provided to their members and families, including support for unemployment, illness, and even death. The Odd Fellows organization is BOTH a fraternal organization with a defined creed and culture much like the Masons or Rotary club, AND is also a charity organization that helps others, in and out of their organization.

In the 18th and 19th century England, guilds and other trade organizations typically focused on the interests of their specific trades. The Odd Fellows, however, brought together people from various trades and backgrounds, united by a commitment to fraternity, benevolence, and community service. The Odd Fellows' dedication to helping others, both within and outside their organization, was a departure from the prevailing focus on individual or trade-specific advancement. Their focus on mutual aid and social unity was seen as unusual or "odd" compared to the social norms of the time, thus the name “Odd Fellows”. This was at a time when there was no “safety net” as we know it today, so charitable/philanthropic organizations such as the Odd Fellows filled the void to help those in need. (See picture of their “creed” statement.)

Slowly, the concept of the Odd Fellow Organization spread internationally, and was started in America in 1819 by the Englishman Thomas Wildey.  Wildey was born in London, England in 1782.  In 1804, he joined the Odd Fellows of Britain. Thomas Wildey came to America in 1817 and settled in Baltimore, Maryland. During this period, Baltimore was experiencing a yellow fever epidemic and a severe unemployment crisis. Thomas Wildey longed to meet new people in the new city. On February 13, 1819, he made an advertisement in the Baltimore American Newspaper, inviting any other Odd Fellows to meet him at the Seven Stars Inn in Baltimore. He placed a second advertisement on March 27, 1819, setting a meeting at the Seven Stars Inn for April 2. Four men met with Wildey: John Welch, John Cheatham, John Duncan, and Richard Rushworth. Ultimately, they formed the “Washington Lodge No. 1 and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows” on April 26 1819. There had been unofficial Odd Fellow Lodges in New York City beginning in 1806, however, the American Odd Fellows was officially founded in Baltimore in 1819. There is a statute of Thomas Wildey on North  Broadway Street in Baltimore erected in 1865 by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of the United States of America to commemorate the founding of the Odd Fellows Order in the City of Baltimore on the 26th day of April 1819. 

The US chapters were initially associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Manchester Unity, until they broke off, and the American Lodges formed their own separate governing order in 1842. The name of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows officially came about in 1843. Just as with many organizations of the time, the membership was limited to white men only. By1851, it also included white women, naming that sector the “Daughters of Rebekah”. African American men and women were not allowed to become members of the existing Odd Fellows chapters, so the created their own chapters, include one on Winters Lane in Catonsville.

There were two lodges in Catonsville: The Providence Lodge No. 116 on Ingleside Ave. and The Western Star Lodge No. 1442 Negro Chapter of the International Order of Odd Fellows at 58 Winters Lane. It was common at the time for the white and Afro American communities to have separate business and civic organizations and locations.

The Western Star Lodge No. 1442 Negro Chapter of the International Order of Odd Fellows on 58 Winters Lane got its start from a growing need for a civic and charitable institution on Winters Lane. As the 20th century rolled in, Catonsville’s African American community was concentrated on and around Winters Lane. The Lodge became a place of charity, social activities, secret rituals, and recitations. It became a popular space and often shared the building with the Crescent Lodge of Elks No. 355. Dances and charity events were held at this Lodge for many years, all to benefit local churches and functions. By 1967, the Lodge’s sole surviving trustee sold the property. The building still exists today as a distribution business. (See picture).

The Providence Lodge No. 116 at 6 Ingleside Ave saw its start around the turn of the century. It served as a lodge for the Rebekahs to help participate in community services and fundraisers. The building is still in use by the Daughters of Rebekah even to this day, who hold two meetings a month from September to June. They keep their secret rituals and recitations to help build their strong bonds of friendship, love, and truth, and still provide services to the community.

 Finally, note that nearby Ellicott City also has an Odd Fellows building (Odd Fellows Lodge 40) which was established circa 1863. The building is at 8141 Frederick Road. The organization recently added a new logo on the building showing a gold chain with the initials F,L,T in each successive link, which reflects the motto of the Odd Fellows of “Friendship, Love, and Truth”.