R.E. Nelms Lodge #977 was organized on March 30, 1958 at 228 1/2 Church Street in Huntsville, Alabama. It was originally named William Hooper Council Elks Lodge in honor of the founder of Alabama A&M University. In January 1974 the name was changed to honor R.E. Nelms for his many contributions to the Lodge and the Community.

Thirty men organized the Lodge and elected Hosea McCaulley the first Exalted Ruler (President). Since then eight other men have led the organization. As a charitable non-profit organization, the Lodge aims to dispense charity without ostentation. Members of the local Lodge, like their Grand Lodge (the National Body), aimed to form a society without regards to religious tenets, provided its members lived orderly and sober lives, in order to support one another in sickness and benefit their widows and fatherless children.

From its beginning on Church Street, the Lodge moved to Cemetery Street on the corner of Hall Street. In 1960, it moved to 1313 Pulaski Pike where it bought a wood frame house. In 1966, the Lodge added a ballroom to accommodate the social needs of the Huntsville Community.