Knights of Pythias of North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia
The Knights of Pythias of North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia—historically known as the Colored Knights of Pythias—is a distinguished fraternal organization in the United States. Established during an era of systemic exclusion, the order provided a vital space for African Americans to foster community, mutual aid, and leadership.
The organization was born out of necessity. While the original Knights of Pythias was founded in 1864, it did not admit African Americans. In response, Thomas W. Stringer and several associates established their own independent order in Vicksburg, Mississippi, in 1880. This new organization sought to embody the values of friendship and the relief of suffering, creating a supportive network for its members.
Key Facts
- Founded: 1880 in Vicksburg, Mississippi.
- Founders: Thomas W. Stringer, Thomas M. Broadwater, A. E. Lightfoot, George A. Place, W. D. Starks, and Claybourne Julian.
- Peak Membership: Nearly 200,000 members during the 1920s.
- Motto: "Friendship, Charity, and Benevolence."
- Core Purpose: Providing mutual aid, including death and sick benefits.
- Women's Auxiliary: The Order of Calanthe, established in 1883.
Organizational Structure and Rituals
The order adopted a hierarchical structure common among fraternal organizations of the time. It was governed by a national Supreme Lodge, with Grand Lodges managing state-level affairs and local lodges serving regional communities. The first Supreme Chancellor was Thomas W. Stringer.
The rituals and lessons of the order were based on the ancient Greek legend of Damon and Pythias, a story celebrating profound friendship and loyalty. There are varying historical accounts of how the founders acquired these rituals; some suggest that members who could pass as white joined the original organization to learn them, while others believe a white member shared the rituals with Stringer and his colleagues.
Growth and Social Impact
The organization expanded rapidly under Stringer's leadership. By 1897, it had grown to 40,000 members with Grand Lodges across twenty U.S. states, Central America, and the West Indies, distributing approximately US$ 60,000 in annual benefits.
The order also extended its reach to women through the Order of Calanthe, founded in Louisiana in 1883. Named after the wife of Pythias in Greek legend, this auxiliary was open to the families of the Knights.
By the 1920s, membership reached its zenith with nearly 200,000 members. In Florida, the organization was particularly influential, boasting membership from as many as one in six Black men. This influence extended into civic engagement; after World War I, the Florida organization encouraged members to register to vote and pay poll taxes for the 1920 election. This activism led to violent retaliation by the Ku Klux Klan in Quincy, Florida, where the lodge was burned and between thirty and sixty Black men were killed.
Legal Battles and Integration
The organization's success led to legal challenges. In Georgia, a lawsuit was filed regarding the use of the "Knights of Pythias" name and paraphernalia. After years of dispute, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1912 that both the white and Black organizations were permitted to use the name.
The mid-20th century brought shifts in membership. While the original white Knights of Pythias began admitting Black members in the 1950s, both organizations suffered membership declines following the Great Depression. While some local chapters merged, integration was slow in some regions; for example, the Washington, D.C. lodge did not admit a Black member until 1989.
Pythian Temples and Architecture
The order constructed dedicated buildings known as temples. These served as meeting halls and often provided essential office space for African American professionals and the society's insurance operations.
Notable architectural landmarks include the Pythian National Temple in Chicago (1928), designed by Walter T. Bailey, and the New Granada Theater in Pittsburgh, designed by Louis Bellinger. In Indianapolis, a Grand Lodge designed by Frank Hunter was dedicated in 1911 and still stands today.
The Dallas temple, designed by William Sidney Pittman in 1919, served as the state headquarters for Texas. Other legacy sites include a former lodge in Waxahachie, Texas, which now houses the Ellis County African American Hall of Fame Museum and Library.
Notable Members
The order attracted a wide array of influential African American leaders, artists, and professionals, including:
- Louis Armstrong: Legendary jazz trumpeter and singer.
- W. C. Handy: Renowned blues composer.
- Benjamin Hooks: Former executive director of the NAACP.
- George Edwin Taylor: Journalist and the first African American to run for president.
- Walter T. Bailey: Architect of the Pythian National Temple.
- Miles Dewey Davis Jr.: Dentist and father of Miles Davis.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1880, Vicksburg, Mississippi |
| Primary Focus | African American community support and mutual aid |
| Peak Membership | ~200,000 (1920s) |
| Key Figures | Thomas W. Stringer (Founder/First Supreme Chancellor) |
| Women's Auxiliary | Order of Calanthe (est. 1883) |
| Core Values | Friendship, Charity, and Benevolence |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the Colored Knights of Pythias formed?
It was formed because the original Knights of Pythias, established in 1864, did not allow African Americans to join. This led Thomas W. Stringer and others to create their own independent fraternal order in 1880.
What services did the organization provide to its members?
Historically, the organization functioned as a mutual aid society, providing members with essential death and sick benefits to support them and their families during times of hardship.
What was the Order of Calanthe?
The Order of Calanthe was the women's auxiliary to the Knights of Pythias, established in Louisiana in 1883. It was open to the family members of the Knights.
How did the organization handle the legal dispute over its name?
The organization faced a lawsuit in Georgia regarding the use of the name and symbols. The matter was resolved in 1912 when the Supreme Court ruled that both the Black and white Pythian organizations could use the name.
What is the significance of the Pythian Temples?
Beyond serving as meeting places for the lodge, these temples were critical community hubs that provided professional office space for African American doctors, lawyers, and the order's insurance business.