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Black History Month Fact (St Mary's Benefit Hall)
The Town of Upper Marlboro will be posting "fast facts" in honor of black history month highlighting the history and heritage of the African American community in the #UpperMarlboro area.
This week we recognize the contributions of the St. Mary's Beneficial Society Hall, which still stands in Downtown Upper Marlboro as a law office.
St. Mary's Beneficial Society Hall was constructed in 1892 by African American members of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Upper Marlboro. The Hall is an excellent example of a multi-purpose building constructed for African Americans. The building served as a meeting place, social and political center, and house of worship for African Americans living in a segregated society.
Even before the Civil War, free African Americans in Upper Marlboro attended St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church. After the Civil War, freedmen struggled to establish homes and livelihoods. African American churches and societies provided community and support networks. In 1880, with assistance from white parishioner William A. Rhode, African American members of St. Mary's Church founded St. Mary's Beneficial Society.
Founding members included Matthias Simmons, Stephen Perry, James Forbes, and Dominic Quander. The Society purchased a lot across the road from the church in 1887, and the lodge opened in 1892 .St. Mary's Beneficial Society was a combination of social service and insurance organizations that provided financial assistance and other services to its members. Members between the ages of 16 and 50 paid a $5.00 membership fee plus monthly dues. A corresponding "Children's Society" for those between the ages of one and 16 collected lower dues.
The society provided sick benefits of $2.50 a week to its members for up to eight weeks. The Society also provided lump-sum payments of $100 to the families of deceased members. Upon the death of a member, all other members paid one additional dollar to replenish the treasury. The officers of the society, called "marshals," rode horseback to notify members of illnesses and deaths and helped conduct funerals. Members were required to attend Mass on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and to attend all funerals.
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