Golden Star Society, Nashville, Tennessee

A group that I am just beginning to research (in other words, I know very little about them) is the Golden Star Society of Nashville. According to an article in the Nashville Globe on September 27, 1907, the group was formed by David Davidson in 1885 (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86064259/1907-09-27/ed-1/seq-3/).  A perusal of the Nashville Globe indicates that this was a benevolent society with death benefits.

Nashville Globe, September 27, 1907.

The interesting thing about this article is that it shows us several things.  First, religion and benevolent orders were tied together in many ways.  This article is about the annual sermon of the group, and my research indicates that many benevolent orders had an annual sermon.  It appears that the preaching of this sermon rotated amongst different Christian denominations, perhaps indicating the ecumenical nature of lodges.  Secondly, it shows that lodges of different orders could work together.  This one states, "The celebrated I.O.I. Band furnished appropriate music."  The I.O.I. were the Independent Order of Immaculates, a benevolent order founded in Nashville and apparently well-known for its band (they figure in numerous newspaper accounts during this period).  Thirdly, it shows us that this is not an insignificant group, as eight hundred members, belonging to four societies, turned out for the annual sermon, held at St. Paul Church.  

An article from May 29, 1908 in the Nashville Globe also yields some interesting information (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86064259/1908-05-29/ed-1/seq-1/). This brief blurb describing the election of officers for Golden Star Lodge No. 3 indicates that women were not barred from holding office.  While men were elected as President and Vice President, Sister Medie Roach was elected Treasurer of this lodge.  A woman was also elected as Receiving Teller of the group.  Sister Emma Long was elected the Orator.  This seems to indicate that the Golden Star Society had no restrictions upon women joining or exercising power.  It almost seems ahead of its time in terms of gender relations. I think it shows that more research is needed in the area of gender roles in African American fraternal groups.

Nashville Globe, May 29, 1908

Although this information was nice, I wanted to know where this interesting group met.  I finally hit the jackpot when I read the August 19, 1910 edition of the Nashville Globe.  This told me that the Golden Star Lodge No. 2 dedicated their new lodge on Pearl Street, located between 11th and 12th Avenues.  Looking at the 1914 Sanborn Insurance map for Nashville, I discovered a lodge hall on Pearl Street, between 11th and 12th Avenues, beside St. John's Missionary Baptist Church.  Unfortunately, this structure no longer exists.

1914 Nashville Sanborn Map, Sheet 26

I do not know how long the group survived.  There is a mention of a banquet at the Golden Star Lodge in the September 21, 1917 edition of the Nashville Globe. The 1956 Sanborn map does not indicate a lodge on Pearl Street beside a church. While a church is still present on the 1956 map (now St. James Baptist Church), the building formerly indicated as a lodge is indicated as a dwelling.

1956 Nashville Sanborn Map, Sheet 26A