Eclipse Chapter #220

The Order of the Eastern Star (OES) is a worldwide, charitable, and fraternal organization that welcomes women and men connected to the family of Freemasonry. Within the Prince Hall tradition, the Order stands as a predominantly African‑American branch of Eastern Star founded on service, moral teachings, and a commitment to uplifting the community. 

 

In the year 1869, the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge in the Jurisdiction of Ohio set up three (3) Masonic lodges in the State of Tennessee. Namely, Rock City Lodge #17, which later became Prince Hall Lodge #1, and East Star Lodge #20 both in Nashville, and Job Thompson Lodge #33 in Pulaski, Tennessee. On August 31, 1870, these three lodges held a convention, but not yet a Grand Lodge Session. During this time, Bro. G, H. Shaffer came to Nashville from Ohio, already having the O.E.S. degrees, and deputized other brothers to organize chapters in the Jurisdiction of Tennessee. He labored untiringly with the brothers in Nashville for the permission to organize chapters of the Order of the Eastern Star in the state.

 

The first subordinate chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star to be organized among the colored people of America was Queen Esther Chapter #1, instituted in the City of Washington, D.C. in the year 1875. This was done by Bro. Thornton A. Jackson, who received the degree of the Adoptive Rite of the O.E.S. on August 10, 1874 from Bro. C. B. Case, a deputy and agent of the Illustrious Robert McCoy, 33º, the Supreme Patron of the Rite of Adoption of the World. 

 

The first Black Grand Chapter of O.E.S. was organized by Bishop J. W. Hood in North Carolina in 1880. On August 31, 1881, at a session in Nashville, the second Grand Chapter was organized in Tennessee.