OUR HISTORY
Georgia’s association with the Order of the Eastern Star began before General Grand Chapter was organized. The first Eastern Star chapter was chartered in Covington, Georgia, in the 1870s. Unfortunately, that chapter did not survive very long and ceased to exist before the next chapter charter was granted.
The first chapter organized under General Grand Chapter in Georgia was Lithonia Chapter Number 1, chartered on September 21, 1891. Then six months later Queen Esther Chapter No. 2 was organized in Trion Factory.
Fifteen additional chapters were organized. These chapters came under the direct supervision of General Grand Chapter.
On February 21, 1901, a convention was called to order to organize a Grand Chapter of Georgia. This convention was held in Brunswick, Georgia. Mrs. Hattie E. Ewing, Most Worthy Grand Matron of General Grand Chapter presided.
At the organizational meeting of the Georgia Grand Chapter, the General Grand Chapter released jurisdiction over twelve of the fifteen chapters. The other three chapters were no longer in existence. Of these twelve chapters, only Electa Chapter Number 6, chartered on June 12, 1897, is still in existence.
The first Worthy Grand Matron elected was Lee Christie and the first Worthy Grand Patron was Reverend Harry Cassil, the Archdeacon of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia. They were both from Glynn Chapter Number 11 in Brunswick.
The first Annual Grand Chapter Session was held in the city of Tennille on May 6-7, 1902. Since that time the Annual Grand Chapter Session has been held every year in various locations around the state.
In June 1945 The Special Executive Emergency Annual Session was held in the city of Macon. The United States of America Office of the Defense Transportation had issued an edict placing a ban on holding conventions or any large meeting with more than 50 persons in attendance. Only essential business was conducted--election and installation for Worthy Grand Matron, Worthy Grand Patron, Associate Grand Matron and Grand Conductress.
In the succeeding years the Grand Chapter has held its annual sessions and conducted the business according to its established agenda.
Georgia was proud when Helen Roquemore was elected to the office of Right Worthy Grand Trustee of the General Grand Chapter in Denver, Colorado, in November 1973. The next twenty-one (21) years were a busy time representing the Order of the Eastern Star. Georgia members were so proud when Sister Helen was installed as Most Worthy Grand Matron of the General Grand Chapter in Seattle, Washington in November 1985. In 1988 Sister Helen R. Cox presided over the 39th Triennial Assembly. “The Past, Present, Future in God’s Marvelous Universe” Triennial Assembly was held in Atlanta, Georgia from November 19-25, 1988. There were over 1,121 Georgia members in attendance.
Georgia has again been honored to have another General Grand Chapter Officer elected Right Worthy Grand Trustee of the General Grand Chapter, Sister Jo L. Cullifer. Sister Jo was elected on November 4, 2015 in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania and will serve nine years, until November 2024. All the Georgia members are proud of the way she is representing our state and the entire Order.
Brother Rob Morris founded the Order of the Eastern Star so female relatives of Master Masons could share in the principles of brotherly love, relief and truth. To this day, those principles to help those less fortunate and in need, of enjoying social activities, and to love one are still upheld.
In other sections of this website, you will learn about what we stand for and our various charities, our scholarships and ways we work together to make the world a better place.
