Grand United Order of Odd Fellows Meets, 1912

-from the Wheeling Intelligencer, May 20, 1912
 

COLORED KNIGHTS HOLD SERVICES

MEMBERS OF THE LODGE FROM THREE STATES ASSEMBLE.

Rev. Jenkins Delivered Impressive Address to Fifteen Hundred at the Court Theatre.

Yesterday afternoon at 3 o'clock about fifteen hundred Knight of G. U. O. of O. F. and their friends filled the Court theatre, in observance of the annual thanksgiving service of the order. The second Sunday in May is the time set for the celebration, but the local knights deferred their meeting for one week in order that many of the local people could attend the celebration held in Pittsburgh last Sunday.

About one hundred and fifty uniformed knights, representing five companies of Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Washington, Pa. and Wheeling had dress parade at 2 o'clock, starting at their hall, corner Twelfth and Chapline streets. They marched to the theatre where G. W. W. Jenkins, pastor of Simpson M. E. church, delivered an eloquent thanksgiving sermon.

Since 1843 it has been the custom, and in compliance with the general law of the Grand Order of Odd Fellows in America that the second Sunday in May of each year shall be duly observed by the members of the lodges throughout the country as a day of thanksgiving, by holding religious services in the church or theatre in the various cities and towns and in this jurisdiction the lodges assembled at the court theatre and rendered a splendid program.

The services were held under the auspices of the second regiment of the G. U. O. of O. F. W. L. Jones of this city, master of ceremonies, introducing Rev. G. W. W. Jenkins, pastor of Simpson M. E. church who delivered a very impressive sermon in behalf of the order of patriarchs of the tri-states. A large number of the sister members were in attendance and took part in the program. The choir was made up of thirty-five voices from the various colored churches of the city, and was featured with a splendid rendition of "The Lord is My Light" by Earl Jones, the accomplished baritone soloist. The visitors were entertained by the members of the Metropolitan club on Main Street.

African-American Wheeling  |  Organizations  |  Places of Wheeling Home  |  Wheeling History Home  |  OCPL Home