THE KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS HALL

Our Mission

The Handsboro Mississippi City Civic Organization's mission along with our partners is to rebuild and rejuvenate The Knights of Pythias Hall  "The KP Hall", a vital resource for our community. Our goal is to provide a new space that caters to the community's diverse needs.  Our plan is to offer after-school tutoring, nurturing children's academic growth, and a local meeting place to foster collaboration among community members. It will serve as an IT technical and training facility, empowering individuals with essential skills.  In times of crisis, it will function as an emergency response center, ensuring safety and assistance. Furthermore, Through this restoration, we aim to create a thriving community hub that enriches lives. 

The Knights of Pythias Hall (The KP Hall)

The Knights of Pythias Hall (KP Hall) two-story building at 624 Tegarden Road in Gulfport is a historical piece of African American history because it played a crucial role in the Handsboro and Mississippi City communities and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The building served as a central meeting place for African American secret societies, Civil Rights leaders, and other community organizations, providing various services such as a seniors feeding site, Head Start Center, community food bank, bingo hall, church services, literacy center, weekly dances, Tom Thumb weddings, and other gatherings. The Hall was also a hub for mutual aid and protection, providing support in religious, cultural, social, recreational, physical, economic, and political areas.

Sadly, the building suffered damage by Hurricane Katrina and wasn't repaired because of a lack of funds, and eventually became unsafe for use. The Handsboro Mississippi City Civic Organization is now seeking a historical or endangered designation for the building to secure funding for its restoration, which would serve as a valuable resource for the community.

Restoring the Knights of Pythias Hall will not only preserve a historical structure, but it will also provide much-needed resources for the community. The future usage of the building would include a computer technology center, after-school events, tutoring, food distribution, meetings, training, literacy programs, community development, and a community emergency response center. The building played a significant role in the Civil Rights movement, serving as a meeting place for activists, and symbolizing the African-American community's resilience and determination.

The Knights of Pythias organization is a fraternal organization that promotes the cause of universal peace and harmony between men while also providing community services such as insurance, burial services, and other welfare activities for members.  The Handsboro chapter of the Knights of Pythias of North America constructed the structure in the 1930s. It quickly became the home to various other organizations, including the Knights of Pythias, Ladies Court of Calanthe, Knights of Peter Claver, Heroines of Jericho, Order of Eastern Star, Odd Fellows, Masons, and the Handsboro Civic Club, currently known as the Handsboro Mississippi City Civic Organization. There was GED education training, church services, graduations, public rentals, voter registration, community events, literacy classes, town hall meetings, a garden club, homemakers, a community food bank, a district senior feeding site,

The Knights of Pythias Hall is a cornerstone of Handsboro's history and a symbol of the community's strength and resilience. The building's restoration would help preserve this African-American community's legacy and continue to provide valuable resources and support to the community.

WE NEED YOUR HELP TODAY!