The Bavarian Beneficial Association was a German organization in the City of Reading organized May 29, 1887, with 50 members. Preliminary meetings were held at Bavarian Hall, 225 Penn Street. It was at first intended to be composed only of natives of Bavaria and their descendants and to be connected with a national organization based on the mutual assessment plan. This idea was, however, defeated and it was made an independent society to provide enjoyment for each other while in health and relief when in want.
The association continued to meet at Bavarian Hall until March, 1888, when Germania Hall, 9th and Penn Streets as seen in the photo below, was secured, and its headquarters relocated there.
In 1888 the first volksgeist was held at Albrecht’s Central park, in which the Bavarian society, of Philadelphia, participated, bringing a large excursion with them. In 1889 another was held at Lauer’s park, and both proved financial successes.
In 1910, officers and founding members all belonged to St. Paul’s R.C. Church, 151 North Ninth Street, Reading, PA.
The Bavarian Beneficial Association, and other German organizations like Harmonie-Maennerchor, Canstatter, and Liederkranz held annual carnivals, given in the old German style. The carnivals of these societies were characterized by a wealth of lively and enjoyable activities that were unique to Reading.
The Bavarian Beneficial Association later relocated to 2000 Hill Road. It started as a frame building and was later expanded. It catered to neighborhood folks, with men entering the barroom and women and children using a side entrance for meals. The original frame building is the portion on the left in the photo shown below.
The Bavarian Club closed around 1966 because of declining membership.
After the Bavarian Club became defunct, the building was used for city storage until advanced decrepitude, brought on by neglect, made it unsuitable. Public Works Director Michael Mucha requested “removal by controlled burning,” which occurred April 4, 1997.
Below: Image Gallery – Bavarian Club controlled burning – Touch or Click Images to Enlarge.
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