The History of the Golden State Grand Chapter
The Order of the Eastern Star (OES) is an adoptive rite of Freemasonry with teachingsbased on the Bible and objectives that are charitable and benevolent. The founder of theOES was Dr. Robert Morris, a lawyer and educator from Boston, Massachusetts, who was a Master Mason and Past Grand Master of Kentucky with the assistance of Robert McCoy 33o after a Voyage to the Holy land.
In 1871 and 1874, Bro. R.J. Fletcher and Bro. Thornton Andrew Jackson received theseveral degrees of the Rite of Adoption of the Order of the Eastern Star from Bro. C.B.Case, a Deputy and agent of Illustrious Robert McCoy 33o, Supreme Patron of theRite of Adoption of the World. In addition, In obedience to the authority granted by William H. Myers, Grand Master, Union Grand Lodge, Jurisdiction of the District of Columbia, both were granted the authority to establish chapters of the Eastern Star among negro Masons and eligible negro women.
On December 1, 1874, Queen Esther Chapter No. 1 was established as the first Order of the Eastern Star Prince Hall chapter at 708 O Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. in the home of Mrs. Georgiana Thomas. The first Worthy Matron was Sister Martha Welch and the first Worthy Patron was Bro. Thornton A. Jackson.
Although Chapters were beginning to form around 1871 in California and Nevada a fire destroyed all records, and the chapters lay dead for 11 years. It was on December 27th 1882 in Sacramento, CA a convention was called to reactivate the chapters. Thefruitage of the meeting gave birth to “Grand Chapter O.E.S. - Rite of Adoption for the State of California” with Sis. Martha Clark serving as the first Royal Matron and Bro.Robert J. Fletcher as Royal Grand Patron. Within that session 12 Subordinate Chapters were established in conjunction with affiliate chapters across the United States:
Adah Chapter No. 2, Sacramento, CA (which is now Adah Chapter No, 1 and the first Chapter to be active in California)
Naomi Chapter No. 4, San Francisco, CA (which is no Naomi Chapter No. 2)
Electa Chapter No. 5, Los Angeles (which is now Electa Chapter No. 3)
Bathsheba Chapter No. 10 Helena, Montana
Golden Star Chapter No. 12 (Chico, CA then was later changed to Oakland, CA)
Morningstar Chapter No. 14, Redding, CA
Martha Chapter No. 15, Marysville, CA
Mt. Rainer Chapter No. 16, Seattle, WA
Queen of Sheba Chapter No. 17, Los Angeles, CA
Queen Elizabeth Chapter U.D., Riverside, CA (which is now Queen Elizabeth Chapter No. 8
Friendship U.D., Grand Junction, CO
Under the administration of PGM Edwin A. Clarke, official recognition was given to the Grand Chapter by the Masonic Grand Lodge.On June 4, 1923 under the supervision of PGWM Aline J. Houston, and PGWP S.P. Johnson the Golden State Grand Youth Fraternity was established for youth ages 5-18 that provides an outlet for youth to participate in community involvement, scholastic enrichment, and networking with youth through out the state of California. To date, we have 9 active courts.
Records reflect that in 1907 the name of the Grand Chapter O.E.S. - Rite of Adoption for the State of was changed to Grand Chapter - Rite of Adoption for the State of California and Jurisdiction, Easter Star, Queen of the South and Amaranth. We are now known as Golden State Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, Prince Hall Rite of Adoption, State of California; an Adoption of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, State of California, Incorporated where The Honorable Robert J. Eagle Spirit Sr. is the Most Worshipful Grand Master.
Under the direction of our Grand Worthy Matron, and Grand Worthy Patron, each Subordinate chapter works hard to accomplish the goals of the Golden State Grand Chapter, through community efforts both in charity and with service. Annually as a body, we support and donate to; Alzheimer's, City of Hope, NAACP, A.I.D.S.Foundation, Sickle Cell, Grandparents as Second Parents, Battered Women Programs, and Breast Cancer centers throughout California. Collectively, we give scholarships to students with a desire to master a higher education, for up to four years of theirmatriculation, as well as for Trade schools.
We are forever indebted to the 114 Jewels and Gems that have served as the Grand Worthy Matrons and Grand Worthy Patrons. Through their vision, tenacity, wisdom commitment during their administration, our organization grew to new endeavors, making our organization 42 chapters strong in the state of California.
Adah No. 1
Naomi No. 2
Electa No. 3
Queen Esther No. 4
Queen Elizabeth No. 8
Ruth No. 11
Lily of the Valley No. 12
Deborah No. 13
Santa Joaquina No. 14
Orpah No. 15
Razina No. 23
Queen Beach No. 33
Symphony No. 43
Ashlar No. 47
Guiding Star No. 50
Pauline Dupee No. 55
Rebecca No. 56
Ione No. 58
Ella Mills No. 59
Gethsemane No. 62
Sadie Alexander No. 63
Regina No. 67
Elizabeth Brown No. 81
Princess Tharah No. 84
Silver Star No. 89
Golden Star No. 90
High Desert Flower No. 93
Ethel P. Thompson No. 95
Dinah No. 97
The Beauties of our order have shined brightly for over 100 years, the lessons and virtues of our five heroinesrunsdeepthroughourspirit,aswecontinuetosetthebarofcharity,truthandlovingkindnessin our works within the community,and in our daily lives.
