Published: February 02, 2008 08:48 pm      

Local Order of the Eastern Star chapter celebrating 100 years

PALESTINE — The 100th anniversary of the Palestine Chapter No. 395, Order of the Eastern Star, will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Feb. 10 in the Palestine Masonic Lodge building.

Honored guests will be Worthy Grand Matron Joyce Gilbert and Worthy Grand Patron Jerry Trees.

All Eastern Star chapter members and friends are invited.

The organizational meeting for Palestine Chapter No. 395, Order of the Eastern Star, was held Feb. 14, 1908, with 16 charter members. The chapter experienced steady growth until 1949, membership was reported as 554.

Palestine Chapter No. 395 continues to be an active chapter in the work of the Order of the Eastern Star,

Members of the Palestine chapter volunteer individually in many local organizations and collectively the chapter supports many different local charities. It makes contributions to the Grand Chapter of Texas, which contributes millions of dollars annually to the Texas Masonic Retirement Center, Cancer Research, Arthritis Foundation, Heart Fund, Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Shriners Hospitals, the Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas and educational scholarships.

The Order of the Eastern Star is a fraternal organization of women and men, dedicated to charity, truth and loving-kindness. Although it is not part of the Masonic fraternity, membership is based on a Masonic affiliation or relationship.