In 1889, St. James was incorporated with Lewis E. Taulsaw, Littleton Maddox, Isaac Waters, Charles Johnson, Henry J. Maddox, Joseph Johnson, Southey Wilkens, George Maddox, Joseph Waters, and William Coulbourne as Directors.
These men were the descendants of the early black community in what was known as the Dames Quarter Election District. The lives of these men as well as the builders will be included in future research for our museum.
On September 9, 1989 in the aftermath of the August White Family Reunion, a cookout was held in Seat Pleasant, MD. During the fellowship, Sammie L. Thomas brought into discussion the St. James Methodist Episcopal Church of Oriole, MD and its state of disrepair.
In attendance were the descendants of Oriole, who agreed to a follow-up meeting which would eventually occur in Salisbury, MD in the month of December 1989.
It was agreed that the name Oriole Historical Society would be adopted at this meeting. The by-laws were outlined, along as well as initiating our charter with procedures to set-up, purchase of St. James Church from the Methodist conference - under the -Grace Methodist Church of Venton and Metropolitan Methodist Church of Princess Anne. The great granddaughter of Littleton Maddox was assigned this task. All executive board positions were temporarily assigned and we proceeded with all deliberate speed to address the most critical repairs.
Sammie L. Thomas contacted the necessary architectural experts for on site preparation, design companies and invited proposals for the restoration of St. James.
Our first few years we struggled mightily to raise money to repair the roof. After gifts from the Somerset County Historic Trust and press, we received our greatest surprise, an offer to restore the old church organ, which was completed and delivered on May 22, 1993.
Several weeks later, on March 14, 1991, The Oriole Historical Society suffered a devastating loss of our Historian and genealogist, Sammie L. Thomas, Jr. at the age of 30 years, one of our founders who gave his very being to the project.
Sammie's love of the society and his family spoke thru his bequest to the Oriole Historical Society upon his death, a gift to begin repairs on the roof of St. James Church.
In 1994, Architectural Historian, Paul B. Touart, in preparation for our nomination to the National Register of Historical Places crawled under the right front of the church and discovered an earlier inscription on the cornerstone (inside concrete) for St. Johns' Methodist Episcopal Church of Oriole. St. James church built in 1885 replaced the earlier structure. The Oriole Historical Society will continue with research of this revelation.
In the Oriole Historical Society by-laws, the number one priority is the restoration of St. James Church and second the research into the early families of Oriole. The White Post has been our most successful medium of communications with our members as well as with the established community based organizations and friends. Published semi-monthly to over 380 members across the country, the White Post newsletter has bridged time and distance to our families.
The Oriole Historical Society has reached out to the communities and its political base, civic leaders and organizations, the business and religious community not only to seek help with the restoration of St. James Church, but to take part in other endeavors that help improve the community and to increase much needed tourism to the Maryland eastern shore.
Our executive board continues to be responsible, dedicated and cohesive in these goals.
These men were the descendants of the early black community in what was known as the Dames Quarter Election District. The lives of these men as well as the builders will be included in future research for our museum.
On September 9, 1989 in the aftermath of the August White Family Reunion, a cookout was held in Seat Pleasant, MD. During the fellowship, Sammie L. Thomas brought into discussion the St. James Methodist Episcopal Church of Oriole, MD and its state of disrepair.
In attendance were the descendants of Oriole, who agreed to a follow-up meeting which would eventually occur in Salisbury, MD in the month of December 1989.
It was agreed that the name Oriole Historical Society would be adopted at this meeting. The by-laws were outlined, along as well as initiating our charter with procedures to set-up, purchase of St. James Church from the Methodist conference - under the -Grace Methodist Church of Venton and Metropolitan Methodist Church of Princess Anne. The great granddaughter of Littleton Maddox was assigned this task. All executive board positions were temporarily assigned and we proceeded with all deliberate speed to address the most critical repairs.
Sammie L. Thomas contacted the necessary architectural experts for on site preparation, design companies and invited proposals for the restoration of St. James.
Our first few years we struggled mightily to raise money to repair the roof. After gifts from the Somerset County Historic Trust and press, we received our greatest surprise, an offer to restore the old church organ, which was completed and delivered on May 22, 1993.
Several weeks later, on March 14, 1991, The Oriole Historical Society suffered a devastating loss of our Historian and genealogist, Sammie L. Thomas, Jr. at the age of 30 years, one of our founders who gave his very being to the project.
Sammie's love of the society and his family spoke thru his bequest to the Oriole Historical Society upon his death, a gift to begin repairs on the roof of St. James Church.
In 1994, Architectural Historian, Paul B. Touart, in preparation for our nomination to the National Register of Historical Places crawled under the right front of the church and discovered an earlier inscription on the cornerstone (inside concrete) for St. Johns' Methodist Episcopal Church of Oriole. St. James church built in 1885 replaced the earlier structure. The Oriole Historical Society will continue with research of this revelation.
In the Oriole Historical Society by-laws, the number one priority is the restoration of St. James Church and second the research into the early families of Oriole. The White Post has been our most successful medium of communications with our members as well as with the established community based organizations and friends. Published semi-monthly to over 380 members across the country, the White Post newsletter has bridged time and distance to our families.
The Oriole Historical Society has reached out to the communities and its political base, civic leaders and organizations, the business and religious community not only to seek help with the restoration of St. James Church, but to take part in other endeavors that help improve the community and to increase much needed tourism to the Maryland eastern shore.
Our executive board continues to be responsible, dedicated and cohesive in these goals.