__NOTOC__ The Independent Order of St. Luke was an African American fraternal order of to promote Black economic independence. It was founded after the

Civil War A civil war or intrastate war is a war between organized groups within the same state (or country). The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government policies ...

(1861–1865) in

Baltimore, Maryland Baltimore ( , locally: or ) is the List of municipalities in Maryland, most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland, fourth most populous city in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic, and List of United States cities by popula ...

Mary Ann Prout Mary Ann Prout (February 14, 1800 or 1801 – 1884) was an African-American educator. Thought to be born in either South River or Baltimore, Maryland Maryland ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It shares borde ...

. It was first called the United Order of St. Luke. Black fraternal orders provided a means for Black community members to create resources to promote independence, self-reliance, and success that was not available to them by white businesses due to segregation. Members of the African American community also supported and were employed and serviced by Black businesses, like retail stores, insurance companies, banks, newspapers, and homes for the elderly. In 1869, the organization split into two factions. The new organization Independent Order of St. Luke was operated from

Richmond, Virginia (Thus do we reach the stars) , image_map = , mapsize = 250 px , map_caption = Location within Virginia , pushpin_map = Virginia#USA , pushpin_label = Richmond , pushpin_m ...

by William M. T. Forrester. He ran the organization until the 1890s, when membership had fallen to 1,000 members. Office force of the Independent Order of St

Office force of the Independent Order of St

Maggie L. Walker Maggie Lena (née Draper Mitchell) Walker (July 15, 1864 – December 15, 1934) was a businesswoman and teacher. In 1903, Walker became both the first African American woman to charter a bank and the first African American woman to serve as ...

had led the development of a juvenile department and rose through the ranks of the organization until she became the leader of the organization in 1899. In two years, she doubled its membership. New headquarters were established at the

St. Luke Building St. Luke Building is a historic office building located in Richmond, Virginia. It was built in 1902, and is a four-story, brick Edwardian style building. It was remodeled and enlarged in 1915–1920. The building has a yellow pressed-brick facad ...

in 1903. St. Luke Building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Under her leadership, the organization supported 100,000 members in 26 states. Her policy of "cooperative economics" resulted in Black businesses employing Black workers, which were patronized by the community. She oversaw the founding of the ''St. Luke Herald'' newspaper, a department store, and the St. Luke Penny Savings Bank. The Consolidated Bank and Trust was the longest-running, independently owned Black-owned bank in the country. It was sold in 2005. Hattie N. F. Walker, Maggie Walker's daughter-in-law, became leader of the organization after Maggie died in 1934. She ran the organization until 1957. The fraternal order was disbanded in 1988. With other Black fraternal orders, the Independent Order of St. Luke helped Richmond being named as the "Birthplace of Black Capitalism", "Black Wall Street", and "Harlem of the South". Papers of the Independent Order of St. Luke are held at the Library of Virginia.

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* {{DEFAULTSORT:Independent Order of St. Luke African-American history in Richmond, Virginia Ethnic fraternal orders in the United States Organizations established in 1869 Organizations disestablished in 1988 Organizations based in Richmond, Virginia Economy of Richmond, Virginia

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