Social Organizations  

In addition to the founding of Saint Joseph’s Church, Lithuanians in Lowell formed several societies to provide services to their community. Between 1910 and 1920 several organizations were formed - the Lithuanian Patriots Organization which sponsored visiting lecturers from Lawrence and Boston; the Vytautas Grand Prince Society which fulfilled the cultural needs of the community by performing music; and the Lithuanian Fraternal Benefit Society, a mutual assistance group which helped people with medical and financial difficulties.

Another very active group was the Union of Lithuanians in America ( Susivienijimas Lietuviu Amerikoje, or SLA) had a local chapter, Kaupa 173, which focused on Lithuanian issues back in the homeland including promoting independence from Russia and the Soviet Union.

The Didzio Lietuviu Kunigaukšcio Vytauto (DLKV), founded on June 30, 1920, is an organization dedicated to the Grand Duke Vytautas who ruled Lithuania from 1392 to 1430. Under Vytautas’ reign, Lithuania became one of Europe’s largest states including much of present day Poland, Belarus and the Ukraine. The Club was conservative in its political outlook and in the earlier days its members took an active role in promoting independence for Lithuanians back in Europe. The club reopened at its current location at
447 Central Street in November of 1966 and has remained a central focal point of the Lithuanian community.

The Lithuanian American Citizens Club located on Tyler Street was torn down in 1959 by urban renewal to build the Central Plaza on Church Street in the South End. In contrast to the DLKV, the Lithuanian American Citizens Club was a social club with a focus on more liberal politics. Socialist and Progressive Party speakers came to lecture at the Club which served as the Lowell headquarters for the 1948 Henry Wallace presidential campaign.