For one Hahnville-based fraternal organization, the roots run very deep.
The Grand United Order of Oddfellows St. Charles Lodge No. 2842 was established in 1887, operating under the guiding principles of “Friendship, Love and Truth” through service, unity and community uplift. The historic Christian fraternity began as a mutual-aid group at a time black residents faced barriers to insurance and other services. Members pooled resources to help cover burial expenses and to assist people in need.
Over time, its mission evolved beyond burial assistance to helping widows, orphans, sick members and others facing hardship.
“We’re dedicated to honoring that legacy of service. We want to uplift our community through different forms of outreach,” said longtime organization member Deon Wilson.
He said the organization has been shifting to a focus on outreach, whether that involves providing aid during hurricanes or other emergencies, establishing scholarships for freshmen going into college, or providing school supplies for students as they return to class.
The group’s original lodge opened in Hahnville in 1899 and stood until 2024, when it was demolished due to critical damage suffered in 2021 due to Hurricane Ida.
Despite its demolition, the building remains a significant part of the organization’s legacy. The group is working toward rebuilding the structure to serve as a home base for its activities and community initiatives.
“We’d like it to stand as a community center and truly be what that says, for the community. A lot of halls are expensive to be used when someone has a repass or a funeral. Our building will be a more cost-effective option for things like that,” Wilson said.
Losing the building has made it difficult to hold meetings and organize events. Members have hosted meetings at their homes in the interim.
Perhaps the event most closely associated with GUOO is the Mother’s Day Second Line Parade it held annually for many years. The parade draws people from across the country who return home to participate in or experience the tradition. It has historically been the organization’s flagship event.
“It really was like a big family reunion for Hahnville,” Wilson said.
The procession traveled from the Shaw Street area of Hahnville toward the former courthouse area and neighboring churches before returning to the organization’s hall.
Residents gathered on their porches to watch and greet the marchers, with crowds growing along the route.
“It really was like a big family reunion for Hahnville. All of these people would come out onto their porches and wave at the men and women marching,” Wilson said. “And the crowds would just get bigger and bigger.”
The parade was postponed in 2020 because of COVID-19 and has not been held since, something the organization plans to change.
But GUOO members seek to expand their work beyond its traditional signature event and establish a more active, year-round presence in the community. Wilson said the group began renewed efforts to grow membership, organize events and honor its historic legacy.
“For a long time, the parade was kind of the one thing we did, and we just wanted to do more,” he said. “So after COVID, we said when the organization came back, we wanted it to be much more than a parade and to do so much more in our community.”
Recently, GUOO held a fundraiser for the reconstruction of the lodge. The event also served as a membership drive.
“We wanted to bring more people in and let people know about the legacy of our organization and what it has to offer,” Wilson said.
The group did a community walk in August as well.
There’s a special pride in being part of the historic organization, Wilson said.
“Being a member is really a special thing because of the morality it requires to be able to be a member and adhering to the Christian aspects of the organization. We really pride ourselves in our moral character and being able to show in the community that there’s a better way of life through Christ,” he said.
Those interested in attending an event or who would like to donate may call 504-906-6809.
