The History of the Odd Fellows: 200 Years of Brotherhood
The History of the Odd Fellows: 200 Years of Brotherhood
The Rich History of Odd Fellowship
"Odd Fellowship does not seek a veiled origin in the misty shades of the past to surround it with the false glamour that arises from the belief in the doctrine of omne ignotum pro magnifico." - Theo. A. Ross
The exact date of the first founding of Odd Fellowship is lost in the fogs of antiquity. Some historians trace its roots back to the Medieval Trade Guilds of the 12th and 13th Centuries. Others estimate that it existed before 1650. What is clear is that there were a number of Odd Fellow groups in England in the 1700s.
It is said that the titles of the officers of the Lodge were taken from the "Order of Gregorian's," which met at St. Albans, in May of 1736. Other evidence suggests that our origins were in an organization known as the Ancient Order of Bucks which thrived in England in the 18th Century, and had as its emblem three bucks with their antlers intertwined.
Early Mentions and Records
- In 1745, Daniel De Foe mentions the Society of Odd Fellows.
- In the Gentleman's Magazine, the Odd Fellows' Lodge is mentioned as "a place where very pleasant and recreative evenings are spent."
- The earliest surviving printed official lodge record is the "Rules of Loyal Aristarchus Lodge no.9" in England dated March 12, 1748.
- The poet James Montgomery wrote a song for a Body of Odd Fellows in 1788.
These allusions provide sufficient proof of the Order's existence at the time, but they tell us little about its aims, objects, and characteristics.
Early Practices and Traditions
From other sources, we know that the Lodges were originally formed by workingmen for social purposes, and for giving the brethren aid and assisting them to obtain employment when out of work. When a brother could not obtain work, he was given a Card and funds enough to carry him to the next Lodge, and if unsuccessful there, that Lodge facilitated his farther progress in the same way.
At first, there was little or no Ritual, and no formal method of conducting the business of the Lodge. These were matters of gradual and slow growth. The English are and were very conservative, and do not readily yield to innovations. Time, however, works wonders, so that in the end many radical and necessary changes were made in the Order.
In the early days of the institution, after the formal business was transacted, conviviality and good fellowship became the order of the night. The brethren, glass and pipe in hand, made the welkin ring with the melody of their favorite songs:
"When Friendship, Love and Truth abound Among a Band of Brothers,
The cup of joy goes gaily round each shares the bliss of others."
"Then let us be social, be generous, be kind,
And let each take his glass and be mellow,
Then we'll join heart and hand, leave dissensions behind,
And we'll each prove a hearty Odd Fellow."
North American Odd Fellows
The first lodge established on this continent was Shakespere, No. 1, in New York City on December 26, 1806. The five Odd Fellows composing this lodge were of the Loyal Independent Order, and the moving spirits were Solomon Chambers and his son.
This marked the beginning of Odd Fellowship in North America, setting the stage for the Order's expansion across the continent and its eventual establishment in San Francisco with the founding of Apollo Lodge in 1852.
Apollo Lodge's Journey
Institution of Apollo Lodge
Apollo Lodge #123 was officially instituted on February 24, 1866 in San Francisco.
Cornerstone Ceremony
On May 14, 1884, the cornerstone was laid for the Odd Fellows Hall at 7th and Market Streets.
Earthquake and Fire
The original building was destroyed in the 1906 earthquake and subsequent fires.
Rebuilding
Construction began on a new building in 1909, with a new cornerstone laid.
Through the years, we've faced challenges like the 1906 earthquake, rebuilding our lodge to serve as a sanctuary for displaced members. During World War II, our members volunteered as air raid wardens and operated a servicemen's canteen, continuing our tradition of community support.
Founded in 1866, Apollo Lodge has been a beacon of fellowship in San Francisco for over 150 years. The founding father, Daniel Norcross, conceived the plan of starting a lodge that would make music one of its attractive features. The lodge would be called "Apollo" after the ancient Greek god of music and poetry. Its symbols would be the lyre (representing mastery of music and poetry, inspiring creativity and harmony among peoples) and the laurel branch (ancient symbol of love).
Today, we continue to uphold the principles of Friendship, Love, and Truth, preserving our rich heritage while adapting to the needs of modern society. Apollo Lodge stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of Odd Fellowship in San Francisco.