Brief History of the Pride of Montgomery, IBPOEW Elks Lodge #347
The Pride of Montgomery was granted its charter on February 24th, 1923. Through the years the lodge was located at 200 E. Middle Lane, ?Monkey Run?. When urban renewal came to Rockville in the early 1960?s, the lodge was sold. Although efforts were made to relocate, the lodge was unable to so due to discrimination, changing laws, etc. After temporarily holding meetings in Linden and Burtonsville, Maryland the lodge merged with then African American lodge in Silver Spring, Maryland, to form the W. Bruce Evans Lodge #380. A few of the lodge #347 members remained active as members of lodge # 380. As the members grew older the lodge became dysfunctional and the Charter was returned to the Grand Lodge.
Rebirth of Pride of Montgomery Lodge #347
Twenty eight years after the Charter was retired, in 2000, a group of men, led by Nathaniel Harris, sought to revive the Charter. After many sacrifices and efforts they were able to achieve their goal. Nathaniel Harris was elected as the first Exalted Ruler. Although they were proud of their accomplishment and efforts they were just beginning to look forward to the challenges and achieve much more for the people of the community and the state of Maryland.