Independent Order of St. Luke collection

Content Description

This collection contains two letters and three pamphlets related to the Independent Order of St. Luke, an African American fraternal order founded after the Civil War to promote Black economic independence. The Order was headquartered on St. James Street in Richmond, where the two included letters dating from 1961 were postmarked. The letters were sent by Dorothy V. Turner, the recording secretary of the Order, to Alvis Pinnix of Burlington, North Carolina, a member of the Order. The February 6, 1961, letter invites Pinnix to an initiation of a new council, while the August 18, 1961, letter discusses an Order membership drive. An undated folded pamphlet titled “Juvenile Catechism” offers questions and answers about the “Juvenile Circles” within the Order of St. Luke. A 1968 “Certificateholders’ Report” outlines the policyholder rating of The Right Worthy Grand Council, Independent Order of St. Luke, published by Dunne’s Insurance Reports of Louisville, Kentucky. The third pamphlet is a program for a “Testimonial Dinner,” celebrating Dorothy E. Turner, an Order member, on October 10, 1975.

Acquisition Type

Purchase

Provenance

Purchased from Caroliniana Rare Books, 12 August 2025.

Language of Description

English

Script of Description

Latin

Restrictions Apply

No

Use Restrictions

This collection contains some in-copyright material. Visit our Permissions and Publishing page for more information about use of Special Collections materials. The library can provide copyright information upon request, but users are responsible for making their own determination about lawful use of collections materials.