Friendship
Members take the Friendship degree first. Its bundle of sticks stands for strength in union.
How to join the Odd FellowsOdd Fellows Lodge No. 48 in Farmington, Missouri
Friendship · Love · Truth
Odd Fellows Lodge No. 48, Farmington, MOWe visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead and educate the orphan.Visitors are welcome.
Enter the Lodge
Who we are
What Makes an Odd Fellow?
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) is a prominent, non-political, and non-sectarian international fraternal brotherhood. It was officially founded in the United States in 1819 by Thomas Wildey in Baltimore, Maryland, evolving from earlier 18th-century working-class fraternal societies in England.
The organization originally served as a vital mutual-aid and social safety net for working-class families during the Industrial Revolution—providing financial support during sickness, unemployment, or death long before modern government welfare programs existed. The unusual name "Odd Fellows" likely arose because it was considered peculiar or "odd" at the time for citizens from different random trades to band together to form a charitable fund for those in need.
Today, the Odd Fellows operate globally as a philanthropic and civic group, guided by their famous motto of Friendship, Love, and Truth (represented by a three-link chain symbol)
The three links
Friendship, Love and Truth
Love
The heart in hand stands for sincere affection, shown in how members care for the sick and the distressed.
See our community service
Truth
The scales and sword stand for impartial justice, the lesson of the Truth degree.
Read about Odd Fellows symbolsGet involved
Get Involved
Join
Membership starts with a visit and a conversation.
How to join Lodge No. 48Community Service
How the lodge helps neighbors in Farmington.
See our service workEvents
Meetings, suppers and service days.
View lodge eventsLodge calendar
Next Meeting
Standing schedule
Regular lodge meeting
Every other Monday · dinner at 6:30 pm, members’ meeting at 7:30 pm · 211 W. Columbia St., Farmington, MO 63640
New initiates are encouraged to arrive 30 minutes early.
Order facts
Numbers and Milestones
The Order
1819The Independent Order of Odd Fellows was founded in Baltimore on April 26, 1819.
The Order
1835Missouri’s first lodge, Traveler’s Rest No. 1, was instituted in St. Louis.
The Order
1851Women have been included in the Order since the Rebekah Degree of 1851.
Lodge No. 48, 2026
$1,000Donated by the lodge to the Cystic Fibrosis Association. The Grand Master’s Gold Award followed at the 180th Grand Lodge session.
Lodge No. 48, 2026
$3,150Raised in total, as reported after the 180th Missouri Grand Lodge session in October 2026.
Order facts are verified history. Lodge figures come from the October 2026 report on the Missouri Grand Lodge session.
Quick FAQ
Common Questions
Is it a secret society?
No. The Odd Fellows are a fraternal order whose history, values and service are public.
Do I have to be religious?
Members affirm belief in a Supreme Being, the creator and preserver of the universe. No particular faith is required.
Can women join?
Yes. Women have been part of the Order since the Rebekah Degree was created in 1851.
What does it cost?
Dues and the initiation fee are set by the lodge, so ask the Secretary for current figures.
Visit a Meeting
Every other Monday: dinner at 6:30 pm, members’ meeting at 7:30 pm, 211 W. Columbia St., Farmington. New initiates are encouraged to arrive 30 minutes early.