History of the ABRAHAM MCKISSACK LODGE#1489
The Abraham McKissack Lodge of Elks #1489 was chartered on May 26, 1959 at Jim Gordon's Café on West Woodring Street.. The Lodge started with thirty-nine (39) members. Bro. James Brown, one of the founders, was elected the first Exalted Ruler. It was named after Mr. Abraham McKissack because of his outstanding community service and leadership during the troubling depression of the 1930's and the difficulties faced by blacks during and after World War II in our struggle for economic and racial equality. He was a member of St. John Masonic Lodge # 10 and the Willing Workers. He was the father of Anne McKissack Brown, a funeral director, and he was the founder of Queen Anne Funeral Home and Burial Club, which stands today after more than a half century of service to the public.
But, Mr. McKissack, the son of Gabriel Moses and Dolly Maxwell McKissack of Pulaski, was more than a builder of businesses, he was a builder of character, because he was a role model, a builder of hope for hopeless people, a builder of love in a time of racial hatred, he was help to the helpless. Mr. Abraham McKissack built confidence and faith in the hearts and minds of young men and women. Yes, he was a builder, he built homes for the homeless way back then, he built courage into freedom dreamers and made them dream weavers. That's why the million dollar low income housing complex, the Abraham McKissack Senior Citizens Homes, Inc. on Brown Drive was built in his honor and in his name as a non-profit corporation. The Abraham McKissack Lodge stands for Charity, Justice and Brotherly Love. We dedicated our lives to helping the elderly, the poor, the sick, the homeless and little school children without shoes or clothing, which is what Mr. McKissack would want, also, we work for a better community. That's why a committee of the Elks Lodge worked with the city during many meetings to secure federal funding for a playground at Victory Apartments.
And a committee also of the Abraham McKissack Lodge #1489 worked with one accord and also worked months to get approval for the North End Park. Abraham McKissack was not only a community worker, but, he was a working member of Campbell Chapel A. M. E. Church.Like another carpenter we Christians know about who went away to prepare a place for us, Mr. Abraham McKissack was also a carpenter and builder, and he made builders out of us, and we hope with participation like this, we can all together build ladders to more human dignity, build higher hopes of facing a brighter day. And build bridges to a better future with a clear vision. Success is not reached by a single bound, we must mount its summits round by round. We must build the ladders by which we rise, from earthly beginnings to vaulted skies. We Elks believe that Mr. Abraham McKissack is somewhere looking and listening, and when the furious wind in the mountain blows, he raises his head and says to the wind, "Blow on," this is the Land of Liberty, Jesus Christ set me free, "Blow on.
Mattie Bridgeforth Temple #1120
Daughters of the Elks
The year 1959 was a great year in the history of Giles County, Pulaski, Tennessee, for that was the year that led to the evolvement of the Mattie Bridgeforth Temple #1120. On May 26, 1959 a charter was signed, as the Abraham McKissack Lodge #1489 of the I.B.P.O.E. of the World. From that brotherhood of fraternal order, Exalted Ruler, the late James Brown saw the need to establish the Daughters of the Elks as an affiliate to the lodge. On August 22, 1959 the Mattie Bridgeforth Temple #1120 was organized. The temple was organized with thirty, (30) members at it's inception. An election was
held and Mary Ann Wray became the first Daughter Ruler. Additional officers were: Vice Dtr. Ruler-Lucy Baugh, Assistant Vice Dtr. Ruler-Lucille Miles, Chaplain- Vivian Tucker, Organist-Ruth L. Spotwood, Escort-Dorothy J. Hobson, Financial Secretary-Elizabeth Harper, Recording Secretary- Lois Whitfield, Treasure-Ann Houston, Door Keeper-Rose Bills, Gatekeeper-Ruth Marsh, Mistress of Session-Leona Simmons, Organizer-Parthena B. Harrington, Trustees-Joean Huey, Mary Hampton, Martha Ann Morris, Mary B. Barnett and Etha Anthony. Members- Vivian Clack, Willa Dean Frierson, Edna Hines, Eula Mae Hutton, Margaret Inman, Nancy Jones, Lurabell Johnson, Catherine Miles, Charlene Holt, Mary Lou Nelson, Vivian Reynolds, Pauline Walker and Odessa Wallace.
Council Member-Mary B. Barnett. State officers at that rime were: Grand Dtr. Secretaty-Buena Kelley, Grand Dtr. Ruler-Nettie Carter, and Grand Exalted Ruler-Robert Jackson. Since the inception date, other names worthy of mention include, Past District Deputy-Mary Morton and our Present District Deputy-Rose E. White Wiseman. Past Daughter Rulers, other than Daughter Ruler Mary Ann Wray, include: Odessa Wallace, Lois Whitfield Cheatham, Mary Sue Hudson, Mary B. Barnett, Della Young, Fannie Howell, Lemmie W. Nelson, Ruth Patterson and our present Daughter Ruler-Brenda Johnson.
The temple was named after, and in honor of Mrs. Mattie Alice Parks Bridgeforth. She was chosen because the life that she lived was exemplary of the attributes that the temple would possess. Mrs. Bridgeforth was born in Lawrence County, Tennessee, the daughter of Balam and Catherine Parks. She attended school in Lawrence County and graduated
from A&I State College in Nashville Tennessee. She was wife of professor James Thomas Bridgeforth for whom Bridgeforth Middle and High Schools were named. Mrs. Mattie Bridgeforth taught school for many years in the Giles County and Pulaski City Public School Systems. She was one of the three members of the first Bridgeforth High School faculty,
having taught Home Economics. She worked at her husband's side, participating in all activities that he entertained. She was truly devoted to her family, church and community. She helped in every area that she was afforded an opportunity, and was a loyal friend to those in need, sowing countless good deeds. Mrs. Bridgeforth was an inspiration to our community and a giving free spirited person. She was the type of person that would say, no matter how long the night, the day is sure
to come. A faithful person who no doubt believed that the struggle for Gentile freedom wage by St. Paul is typical of the battle for freedom of conscience, for freedom of knowledge, for human rights. She was the mother of John W. Bridgeforth and Lenora Ballentine, of which both were teachers and musicians, whom also gave back to the community. Mrs. Bridgeforth was also a teacher, a community leader and musician. The significance of her life is as vast and creative as the power of the mind and the sensitivity of the spirit. She was a person that would say, Sing Your Own Song. Out of yesterday songs come, they go into tomorrow, sing your own song, with your life fashion beauty, this too is the song. Riches will pass and power too, beauty remains, sing your own song. All that is worth doing, do well, said the river, sing your own song. Certain and round be the measure, every line be graceful and true. Time is the mold, time the carver, time and the workman together, sing your own song. Sing well, said the river, sing well. He who hath fed will feed well, he who hath blessed will bless well.
The Brotherhood
