Fonds - Order of the Eastern Star (Flower City Chapter No. 91) fonds

The Order of the Eastern Star is "the largest fraternal organization in the world that both men and women can join." It was founded in the United States in 1850 by Dr. Robert Morris, "a lawyer and educator from Boston, Massachusetts, who was a Master Mason and Past Grand Master of Kentucky. Dr. Morris intended his creation to become a female branch of Freemasonry, but he failed to overcome the great opposition this idea engendered. After his first published ritual in 1849-50, he became associated with Robert Macoy who wrote and published a ritual based on Morris' in 1867. The first Grand Chapter was organized in Michigan in the same year." The General Grand Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star was established in 1876. "Subordinate (local) chapters operate under charter from state [and provincial] level grand chapters which are responsible to the General Grand Chapter at the International Eastern Star temple in Washington, D.C." "The emblem of the Order is a five-pointed star. The character-building lessons taught in the Order are stories inspired by Biblical figures: Adah (Jephthah's daughter, from Judges); Ruth, the widow; Esther, the wife; Martha (sister of Lazarus, from the Gospel of John); Electa (the "elect lady", from II John), the mother."
The Order "is based on teachings from the Bible, but is open to people of all monotheistic faiths. It has approximately 10,000 chapters in twenty countries and approximately one million members under its General Grand Chapter." "Members must be eighteen years or older and either Master Masons in good standing or properly related to a Master Mason in good standing. The latter category includes wives; widows; sisters; daughters; mothers; granddaughters; step-mothers; step daughters; step-sisters; and half-sisters. In 1994 this was expanded to include nieces, daughters-in- law, and grandmothers. Each [full] chapter has eighteen officers, some elected and others appointed. Two offices are specifically male (Patron and Associate Patron) while nine offices are specifically female (including Matron and Associate Matron). While the Worthy Matron is considered to be the presiding officer of the chapter, the degrees cannot be conferred without a presiding brother in good standing (hence the Patron and Associate Patron). Each chapter retains the right to decide who shall be a member of the organization. Election to the degrees must be unanimous, without debate, and secret. The successful candidate must profess a belief in a Supreme Being and is initiated in five degrees, which are conferred in one ceremony."
"The Order has a charitable foundation and from 1986-2001 contributed $513,147 to Alzheimers disease research, juvenile diabetes research, and juvenile asthma research. It also provides bursaries to students of theology and religious music, as well as other scholarships that differ by jurisdiction. In 2000 over $83,000 was donated. Many jurisdictions support a Masonic and/or Eastern Star retirement center or nursing home for older members; some homes are also open to the public."
The Flower City Chapter No. 91 in St. Thomas, Ontario was one of several that operated in Elgin County. The Chapter was founded ca. 1926. (There is a Roll of Membership dating back to 1922, although a by-law, which appears to be a Founding By-law, is dated January 28, 1931.
The Chapter disbanded ca. 2009.