2024 Black History Month Reflections from Winters Lane

Winters Lane represents a distinct community within the larger community of Catonsville, Maryland. Nestled amongst the neighborhood sits LANDMARK LODGE #40, 11th MASONIC DISTRICT, THE MOST WORSHIPFUL PRINCE HALL GRAND LODGE F&AM of MARYLAND AND ITS JURISDICTION, INC.

The Worshipful Master, officers and members of Landmark were invited to worship with Grace African Methodist Episcopal Church and participate in a weekend of events during their Annual Black History Month Celebration from 16-18 February 2024. We received the invitation from Sister Phyllis King, Vice President and members of the Grace Improvement Organization (GIO). The GIO has been involved with sponsoring activities that improve the church and community while celebrating black heritage and significant contributions of individuals past and present. We are thankful for the opportunity to participate in this celebration and wish to shine light on the activities we experienced. Appreciation is a wonderful thing – it makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.

Reflecting on the impact of our time in celebration of Black History Month, I am reminded of the term deeply rooted. Webster defines this as being implanted and established so the first picture that comes to my mind is of a tree. When you plant a tree, it won’t automatically grow into a towering giant overnight. It will start small and need a lot of care and nurturing for it to live hundreds of years or grow to become a useful shade tree. You may need to water it, spray it with pest control and prune it for it to grow properly. The cool thing about trees is that they have to have strong roots to survive. In order to be fruitful and actually produce something of value, the tree has to have healthy roots that run deep into the ground. Although the tree starts out with flimsy roots, if it grows correctly, its roots will run deep into the ground and make a firm foundation… “walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in Thanksgiving.” – Colossians 2:6-7. In many ways the Apostle Paul is reminding the Colossian church of their foundation, their root system. As we accept the Great Architect of The Universe into our hearts and to govern our lives, the root process begins and creates a starting place for our roots to grow deep, become firm and established. In sharing this article, our hope is to provide a glimpse of the roots and experiences of African-American men and women who helped shape the history along Winters Lane, including those grounded in faith as members of Grace AME, Landmark Lodge and MARTHA CHAPTER#25.

In addition to expressing our appreciation for the invitation, we obtained knowledge about the origins of Winters Lane and heard highlights of the contributions of outstanding individuals from this period in time that demonstrate the historical significance of the community. During oral history, drama club and spoken word presentations, we received a history lesson about Catonsville and learned the following:

• Listed on the National Register as an historic site, and built between 1867 and the mid 1940’s, the Winters Lane Historic District is the largest and most intact mid-19th century African American neighborhood in Baltimore County.

• Situated between Frederick Road and Baltimore National Pike, historically African American, the community was once a community of families related by birth or marriage. Rolling Road is recognized as the location where slaves rolled tobacco to the piers in Elkridge and loaded it onto boats. Baltimore National Park, also known as Route 40 West, used to be two lanes, one lane going into Baltimore City, and one lane coming into Baltimore County.

• The community had 141 residential dwellings, 2 former schools, 3 commercial buildings, 3 social clubs: American Legion Post #263, Elks Home, Kings Tavern; several churches: Grace AME, Morning Star Baptist Church, Mount Olivet United Methodist Church, Full Gospel Tabernacle, The Upper Room House of Prayer and temple Faith Church of God in Christ and a Prince Hall Masonic Lodge (Landmark) and Order of Eastern Stars (Martha Chapter #25) at 48 ½ Winters Lane.

• Located at 67 ½ Winters Lane, Grace A.M.E., formerly known as St. John’s A.M.E Church, is the oldest African American church still in existence within the boundaries of Catonsville, Maryland.

• Catonsville was founded in 1729 and was known as Johnnycake, the Winters Lane Historic District is the largest and most intact mid-19th century African American neighborhood in Baltimore County.

Mr. Samuel and Ida Torsell were lifetime members of Grace AME as well as members of Landmark #40 and Martha Chapter #25. Brother Torsell (deceased) was a Past Worshipful Master and a member of the Catonsville Civic Club, Golden Age Club, Crescent Lodge Elks I.B.P.O.E Past Exalted Ruler. From the 1920s to the 1940s, he produced a newsletter that provided African American entrepreneurs in the community with a means of advertising their goods and services. Sister Ida Torsell (Martha #25) was the organist and pianist at Grace AME and active in the church and community. The Samuel and Ida Torsell historic home, located at 79 Winters Lane is one of the oldest African American homes in the Winters Lane community. Now a museum, it houses historical photos, memorabilia and artifacts from numerous families who lived, worked and worshiped in the Winters Lane community. As part of the weekend celebration, the tour of the Torsell home was digitally recorded and documented. One of the highlights was listening to Bro. William Foreman Jr. share memories with his father and describe his own personal experiences growing up in the community, attending school and how the many mentors he met along his journey influenced, shaped and continue to impact how he lives and serves within the community.

Past Worshipful Master William Foreman Sr. (1954 -1955 deceased) could lecture on any masonic subject. He has been described as an exemplary leader/role model and active participant in the work and life of his Lodge. Bro. PM Foreman was a Montford Point Marine, served in World War II and a lifelong resident of Catonsville. We remember him as someone who cherished his family and treated all others equally. Since its formation on 7 June 1904, Landmark #40 is proud to be a constituent lodge of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge and a member the Winters Lane community.

Our Lodge has been blessed with a legacy of outstanding contributors in our 120 years of existence, many with direct links to Winters Lane and Grace AME Church. This includes and is not limited to the following deceased brothers:

John H.W. Brown, Earl Shorter, Frank Hebron, Donald Queen, Jasper Manning, Lemuel Aulton, Ronald Adams, Joe Smith, Marion Simms, Edgar Sewell, John Harris Jr., and Samuel Galloway to name a few, Being sincere in their purpose and belief, and through many personal sacrifices and hard work, they were able to see the fruits of their labor and lay the foundation for the brothers that came behind them. “Titles DO NOT produce leaders, ACTIONS DO!” –Author Unknown coming down right side, Bro. Kenneth Turner (50 Year Service/PM 1988-1989)); Bro. Herbert B. Stevenson (50 Year Service/PM 1975-1976) and Bro. Richard Turner (deceased)

It would be great if everyone could adopt that mindset.

Our challenge today is to remain deeply rooted, firmly planted, to inspire, educate and motivate each other as we continue to honor their legacy and stay true to the tenants of Freemasonry, charity, love and brotherhood. Black History Month is a fitting recognition of the historical contributions and sacrifices made by African Americans on Winters

Lane. Like them, our principal objective should be to endow a lasting impression to all who follow us.

Fraternally submitted, Ron Davis WM, Landmark #40

Multiple sisters of another organization were healed and obligated under Myra Grand Chapter, Order of Eastern Star. That led to the re-opening of Prince Hall Chapter #15. SGW William Davidson III, Grand Conductress Juanita Brinkley-Hall, and Past Matron Lorraine Adams led this historic event.

Join us in congratulating and welcoming the new sisters of Prince Hall Chapter #15 to the MD Prince Hall PHAmily!