The Salem Saxon Club was the first in the country to form an organized society structure for the benefit of members with Branch 19 of the Alliance of Transylvania Saxons, which includes the lodge’s male members, being chartered in 1891, a full 11 years before the nationwide First Transylvanian Saxon Society of the United States formed in 1902. Branch 18, which includes the lodge’s female members, is similarly historic being chartered in 1904.

“These kinds of clubs are a kind of a dying breed so we’re trying to keep things going. When I was a kid, this was the place to be and we’re trying to bring that community back,” said Branch 18 President Chris Phillis.

The country club’s dance hall and picnic pavilion were first moved to its current location at 1980 New Garden Road from the Steiner farm in 1933 where they used to stand alongside the Saxon orphanage. The dance hall was expanded around 1977 around the original dance floor which remains in use today, and the picnic pavilion was expanded with a modern kitchen and a covered area for the picnic tables which Branch 19 President Glen Spack said originally stood on an open gravel pad.

Now the first major refurbishment to the country club since the 1990s is underway. The exteriors of both buildings have been completely re-stained, and the restrooms in the picnic pavilion have been completely re-painted with new amenities like additional mirrors which include a floor length mirror in the women’s restroom. Additional interior painting is underway as well as plans to renovate the pavilion’s original kitchen building, which was replaced during the remodel in the 1970s, into a dedicated bridal dressing suite, to update the pavilion’s current kitchen, and to add a gazebo to the property where weddings and other ceremonies can be held.

Shown is the dance hall decorated for a wedding. (Submitted photo by Chris Phillis) 

“We’re trying to add little amenities to make it more friendly to modern wedding parties. That’s what people like now,” said Phillis.

Phillis said that many younger residents in Salem weren’t familiar with the Saxon club and its facilities, and that they were making an effort to bring in more events and become more visible within the community. Amongst those efforts is the recent return of the community favorite Saxon Fish Fry, which was discontinued during the Covid-19 pandemic and returned in the Spring, with the next set for 4:30-7 p.m. Sept. 26.

“The fish fry was something people really looked forward to, so we wanted to bring it back and we’ve had a very positive response so far,” said Phillis.

Spack and Phillis both said that the Saxon Club are always accepting new members, and that a new website and social media pages for the club were in progress. Anyone interested should contact Spack at 234-320-4132.

The country club and lodge can also be rented for private events like wedding receptions and family reunions, with the country club available for rent from May through the end of October, and the lodge available year-round. Spack said that they also have several large propane pole heaters which can ensure event spaces at the country club remain warm even during colder months. Spack said that the dance hall can comfortably seat more than 200 people with both round and banquet tables available while the lodge seats 180, and the picnic pavilion and lodge both featuring large full-service kitchens including multiple ovens and large refrigerators. Spack also said that rentals can be scaled to fit the needs of an event like only renting one of the buildings at the country club, and Phillis noted that the Saxon club also has a liquor license and its own bar manager for adult events.

Shown is the dance hall decorated for a wedding. (Submitted photo by Chris Phillis) 

“I’m kind of partial, but I really do think it’s the best facility in the tri-county area,” said Spack.

For additional information about the Saxon Club’s facilities or rental information call 330-222-1770.

Shown is the country club before exterior renovations. (Submitted photo by Chris Phillis) 

Alliance of Transylvania Saxons Branch 18 President Chris Phillis said that the bathrooms at the country club’s picnic pavilion have been fully renovated with new paint and mirrors, including a new floor-length mirror in the women’s restroom. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

Alliance of Transylvania Saxons Branch 18 President Chris Phillis said that the bathrooms at the country club’s picnic pavilion have been fully renovated with new paint and mirrors, including a new floor-length mirror in the women’s restroom. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

Alliance of Transylvania Saxons Branch 18 President Chris Phillis said that the bathrooms at the country club’s picnic pavilion have been fully renovated with new paint and mirrors, including a new floor-length mirror in the women’s restroom. (Submitted photo by Chris Phillis) 

The lodge is also available for rent year-round and includes its own full-service kitchen, meeting space, and bar. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

The lodge is also available for rent year-round and includes its own full-service kitchen, meeting space, and bar. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

The lodge is also available for rent year-round and includes its own full-service kitchen, meeting space, and bar. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

The lodge is also available for rent year-round and includes its own full-service kitchen, meeting space, and bar. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

The lodge is also available for rent year-round and includes its own full-service kitchen, meeting space, and bar. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

The lodge is also available for rent year-round and includes its own full-service kitchen, meeting space, and bar. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

The kitchen in the picnic pavilion features two large ovens with 12 burners, and multiple sinks and refrigerators, and is slated to receive paint and counter updates. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

The kitchen in the picnic pavilion features two large ovens with 12 burners, and multiple sinks and refrigerators, and is slated to receive paint and counter updates. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

The kitchen in the picnic pavilion features two large ovens with 12 burners, and multiple sinks and refrigerators, and is slated to receive paint and counter updates. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

The kitchen in the picnic pavilion features two large ovens with 12 burners, and multiple sinks and refrigerators, and is slated to receive paint and counter updates. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

The exterior of the historic dance hall has been fully re-stained. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

The exterior of the historic dance hall has been fully re-stained. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

The access road for the country club is lined with Linden trees which are native to Transylvania. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

The Salem Saxon Club, the first of its kind in the United States, is working to breathe new life into its historic facilities, re-staining the exterior of its country club and updating paint and amenities within. They are also making an effort to expand their community engagement and have recently revived their fan favorite fish fries, with the next slated for 4:30 to 7 p.m. Sept. 26 at a cost of $15 for adults and $10 for kids and both dine in and carry out options. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)

The Salem Saxon Club, the first of its kind in the United States, is working to breathe new life into its historic facilities, re-staining the exterior of its country club and updating paint and amenities within. They are also making an effort to expand their community engagement and have recently revived their fan favorite fish fries, with the next slated for 4:30 to 7 p.m. Sept. 26 at a cost of $15 for adults and $10 for kids and both dine in and carry out options. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)

The Salem Saxon Club, the first of its kind in the United States, is working to breathe new life into its historic facilities, re-staining the exterior of its country club and updating paint and amenities within. They are also making an effort to expand their community engagement and have recently revived their fan favorite fish fries, with the next slated for 4:30 to 7 p.m. Sept. 26 at a cost of $15 for adults and $10 for kids and both dine in and carry out options. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)

The Salem Saxon Club, the first of its kind in the United States, is working to breathe new life into its historic facilities, re-staining the exterior of its country club and updating paint and amenities within. They are also making an effort to expand their community engagement and have recently revived their fan favorite fish fries, with the next slated for 4:30 to 7 p.m. Sept. 26 at a cost of $15 for adults and $10 for kids and both dine in and carry out options. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)

The Salem Saxon Club, the first of its kind in the United States, is working to breathe new life into its historic facilities, re-staining the exterior of its country club and updating paint and amenities within. They are also making an effort to expand their community engagement and have recently revived their fan favorite fish fries, with the next slated for 4:30 to 7 p.m. Sept. 26 at a cost of $15 for adults and $10 for kids and both dine in and carry out options. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)

The Salem Saxon Club, the first of its kind in the United States, is working to breathe new life into its historic facilities, re-staining the exterior of its country club and updating paint and amenities within. They are also making an effort to expand their community engagement and have recently revived their fan favorite fish fries, with the next slated for 4:30 to 7 p.m. Sept. 26 at a cost of $15 for adults and $10 for kids and both dine in and carry out options. Shown from left are Alliance of Transylvania Saxons Branch 19 President Glen Spack and Branch 18 President Chris Phillis. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)