History · England
In 18th-century England, working people with no guild of their own met in tavern back rooms and paid a penny a week into a common fund for members who fell sick or died.
The earliest printed record is a 1748 reference to Lodge No. 9 meeting at the Globe Tavern. Why “odd”? The Sovereign Grand Lodge says the true reason is not known or documented.
Visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead and educate the orphan.
History · Baltimore
Thomas Wildey, an English immigrant who was orphaned young, advertised in a Baltimore newspaper for fellow Odd Fellows. On April 26, 1819, he and four companions founded Washington Lodge No. 1 at the Seven Stars Tavern.
A charter followed in 1820 through the Manchester Unity of England. The American lodges became independent in 1842–43 and took the name Independent Order of Odd Fellows, though some sources give 1834.
The five founders
History · Timeline
Milestones from the Order’s English roots to its 200th anniversary.
Earliest printed record of an Odd Fellows lodge: Lodge No. 9 at the Globe Tavern, England.
Dissatisfied members in Salford found the Independent Order of Oddfellows Manchester Unity.
Wildey and four companions found Washington Lodge No. 1 in Baltimore on April 26.
The Grand Lodge of Maryland and of the United States is formed, with Wildey as first Grand Sire.
Traveler’s Rest Lodge No. 1 is instituted in St. Louis, the first lodge west of the Mississippi.
Wildey charters the Grand Lodge of Missouri on June 13.
The American order takes the name Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Black Odd Fellows, refused by the I.O.O.F., form the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows in America.
The Rebekah Degree is adopted on September 20, the first for women in a national U.S. fraternity.
The Missouri Widows’ and Orphans’ Home is dedicated at Liberty on May 24.
The World Almanac ranks the Odd Fellows the largest fraternal order in America.
The Order reports 2,676,582 members, near its peak.
The Pilgrimage for Youth begins.
The whites-only clause is removed from the I.O.O.F. constitution.
American Odd Fellowship marks its bicentennial.
Symbols of the Order
Odd Fellows symbols are public and may be shown freely. Signs, passwords and grips are private and are never shown here.
Grand emblem
Friendship, Love and Truth bind members as a fraternity. Left link Friendship, center Love, right Truth.
Initiatory
Watchful, sleepless goodness that looks after our needs.
First Degree
One stick breaks easily. A bound bundle does not. Strength in union.
First Degree
The covenant of Jonathan and David: act to save a brother from an enemy.
Second Degree
Greetings should be given sincerely, from the heart.
Third Degree
Justice without regard to the false distinctions of society.
Third Degree
Reminders that life is brief and that all meet as equals. A memento mori, not a threat.
Rebekah Degree
Beehive, moon and seven stars, dove and lily: industry, order, peace and purity.
Encampment
Members as travelers, taught Faith, Hope and Charity.
Degree colors
Candidates wear a white robe. Pink marks the First Degree, Friendship, and scarlet the Third Degree, Truth.
The Rebekahs
Inspired by Rebekah at the well, who gave water to a stranger, the Order opened a degree to women. Written by Schuyler Colfax of Indiana, later U.S. Vice President, the Rebekah Degree passed 46 to 37 on September 20, 1851. It made the I.O.O.F. the first national U.S. fraternity to admit women.
Today both Odd Fellows and Rebekah lodges admit men and women. Each state’s Rebekah lodges form a Rebekah Assembly.
Beehive, moon and seven stars, dove and lily: industry, order, peace and purity.
Odd Fellows in Missouri
From the first lodge in St. Louis to the Liberty home, Ironton’s lodge hall and Farmington today.
St. Louis
1835Traveler’s Rest Lodge No. 1 was chartered August 18, 1834 and instituted June 3, 1835 with six members, the first lodge west of the Mississippi.
St. Louis
1838Wildey Lodge No. 2 was instituted June 12, 1838 by Thomas Wildey himself. The Grand Lodge of Missouri was chartered the next day, June 13.
Ironton
1873Iron Lodge No. 107 built the Ironton Lodge Hall in 1873. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.
Liberty
1895The Widows’ and Orphans’ Home was dedicated May 24, 1895. The Grand Lodge ran it until 1993, and the site was listed on the National Register in 1987.
Farmington
TodaySt. Francois Lodge No. 48 meets every other Monday, with dinner at 6:30 pm and the members’ meeting at 7:30 pm, at 211 W. Columbia St. Missouri has about 32 active lodges.
FAQ
Short answers to what people ask most.
It is a society with secrets, not a secret society. Meetings, halls and charity are public. Degree ceremonies, passwords and the grip are private.
No. Lodges open with prayer, but Odd Fellowship forbids interference with anyone’s religious beliefs or political opinions.
Members affirm belief in a Supreme Being, the creator and preserver of the universe. No particular faith is required.
A man or woman of good character who is loyal to their country and meets the age requirement. Ask the lodge for the minimum age.
A one-time initiation fee and annual dues, both set by the local lodge.
Nobody knows for certain. The Sovereign Grand Lodge says the true reason is not documented.
It is a separate order with its own history, degrees and symbols. It grew out of working-class mutual aid.
Visit
Meet us, ask questions, share a meal. St. Francois Lodge No. 48 meets every other Monday: dinner at 6:30 pm, members’ meeting at 7:30 pm, at 211 W. Columbia St., Farmington. New initiates are encouraged to arrive 30 minutes early.
