In the heart of the Saratoga Springs arts district is a spot once known as “the soul of the Spa City.”

Built in 1845, the building at 69 Beekman Street is one of the oldest in the area. It’s been a residence and a restaurant, but since the 1960s, has served as home to the Frederick Allen Lodge No. 609.

The lodge relocated to Beekman Street after its original building on Congress Street burned down. At the time, the "Black Elks Lodge" was thriving with hundreds of members.

“Finding this property was big because it was just before urban renewal came through. So they missed that wave. They took up residence here on the corner of Beekman Street, and it became the nucleus for everything that went on for the urban community,” said Kendall Hicks, the lodge’s exalted ruler.

The lodge had a drum quartet and hosted parades. Unfortunately, the lively atmosphere isn’t what Hicks has known since becoming a member.

"This is one of my goals, to try to get us back to that time,” Hicks said.

In the past several years, membership in the male fraternity has decreased, and the building has fallen into disrepair. This time last year, there wasn’t even heat.

Hicks said the building has structural and foundation issues. The kitchen, which he envisions as a source of food for those in need, is currently used for storage.

“Every community needs a place that you can have a home-cooked meal and a place you can sit down and gather,” Hicks said.

Upgrades are also needed to be made to the roof. Despite the big undertaking, Hicks said a complete loss of the lodge is unthinkable.

“This is the only place that people of color can come and be safe and gather and have events and feel a part of the community,” Hicks said.

Jacob Smith found the lodge by chance. The Skidmore student first heard of it when the school posted about the recent struggles.

“Hearing about this lodge and this community was very important for me,” Smith said.

Like many before him, he instantly became connected. After writing an article on the lodge’s history, he worked closely with members to set up a GoFundMe page. So far, they’ve raised about $20,000 for repairs.

“It’s a nice feeling to know that there is a community outside my friends or the organizations within Skidmore, something in the community where I can come and feel welcomed,” said Smith.

It’s not just Smith helping to save the lodge. Volunteers like Lezlie Dana are working to bring the fraternity into the digital age. They worked to set up a website and mailing list.

“We’re stronger together, and the thought of Frederick Allen Lodge No. 609 not being here on Beekman Street is unfathomable,” Dana said.

Over the past year, membership has begun to increase. Hicks believes the lodge is starting to get back on track.

“The future of the lodge is what we make it, what the community makes it, and as I said before, it’s well on its way to doing a lot of great things and having a great recovery,” Hicks said.