Historic Odd Fellows Lodge 

 Friendship | Love | Truth 

The Mission

Continuing a century-old tradition, the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows Sandy Spring Lodge #6430 Inc. is committed to using the newly restored historic build as a safe space for education and dialogue to foster multicultural understanding.

Our Story So Far...

History

The Grand United Order of Odd Fellows (GUOOF) has its origins in the original GUOOF in England, which was established in 1798. Having been denied membership in the segregated International Order of Odd Fellows (IUOOF) in 1842, Peter Ogden, who had been initiated into the Grand United Order in Liverpool, England, appealed directly to the GUOOF governing body in Leeds (Manchester) for independent membership in the organization. The GUOOF in America obtained its charter directly from the Manchester Unity in Great Britain and is independent of the IUOOF.

Over the years the Lodge fell into disrepair and decay and was abandoned. It became a neighborhood eyesore and there were attempts to demolish the structure. The Odd Fellows Lodge Preservation Committee intervened and petitioned the State of Maryland, Montgomery County, and private donors for funds to restore and renovate the Lodge.  The painstaking endeavor of  serval dedicated members of the Odd Fellows and friends, which employed the skills and experiences of local historians, architects, builders, public officials among others, has restored the Lodge completely to its former glory in 2016.  Today, the newly-renovated Lodge is an epitome of the progress African Americans have made in the State of Maryland. The building is recognized as one of 25 African American Historic Sites in Montgomery County. (Ref.: the African American Heritage Trail). 

Service

The Odd Fellows Lodge served as a health and life insurance agency for the African-American community of Sandy Spring. The members paid fees to the Lodge and in turn the Lodge provided medical and funeral expenses for its members. During the era of segregation, the Odd Fellows Lodge stood as a place of worship, a site for social activities and a center for education”.  The Lodge has always been a venue available to the Sandy Spring community. For example, when it’s neighbor, the Sharp Street Methodist Church, needed a temporary home due to fire, the Odd Fellows Lodge was used. 

Renovation

In 2005, upon learning of the Lodge’s history, a small group convened to save the historic structure. The group, the Odd Fellows Lodge Preservation Committee, was able to secure private funding, a $100,000 State bond bill and a $90,000 Montgomery County government grant to complete the exterior of the preservation by 2008. Fundraising and grant-writing continued. With significant support from the Maryland Historical Trust, Phase II restoration (windows, two interior floors, stage, stairs, ramp, and HVAC) were completed by 2016. We are proud of this  significant restoration project for the community.

Completion

This beautifully restored historical building lacked interior plumbing and access to potable water. It took almost 5 years to acquire permission from the MHT Easement Committee, Maryland State, WSSC, and Montgomery County government to construct an indoor bathroom is this historic building, and to provide well water and holding tanks to support the bathroom. With a $30,000 State bond bill and private funding by the Odd Fellows Preservation Committee, restoration of the Lodge was completed, despite Covid interference, on July 31, 2021. The completion of this project could not be completed without the support of Brother John Willis Green, Odd Fellows Grand Master of the American Jurisdictions.