The Grapevine Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star has supported GRACE since 1994 with gifts to help those in need. Their most recent donation—nearly doubling the total of their gifts since 1994—is a dedicated sacrifice from chapter members and an investment in the health and well-being of their community.

Officers Christine Loven, Ray Brockie, Nancy Jo Estill, Jerry Holland, Dianna Blood, Jennifer Sylvestor, and Karen Apple carry on the tradition of the Grapevine Chapter that dates back to its founding in May 1906.

The Grapevine Chapter arose while the Order of the Eastern Star (OES) traditions were still developing. The OES was established in 1850 by lawyer and educator Rob Morris, a noted Freemason, but was only adopted and approved as an appendant body of the Masonic Fraternity in 1873.

Today, the OES has approximately 10,000 chapters in twenty countries and more than 500,000 members. The Order is based on biblical teachings, but embraces people of all religious beliefs and is the largest fraternal organization in the world open to both women and men.

The OES is based on benevolent and charitable actions and raises millions of dollars annually to fund projects around the world. In Texas, annual OES support is given for ESTARL (Eastern Star Training Awards for Religious Leadership), the Texas Masonic Retirement Center at Arlington, Cancer Research, Arthritis Foundation, The Heart Fund, the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Shriners Hospitals, and the Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas.

The Grapevine Chapter has a very rich history with many of the city’s founders being Master Masons and later members of the OES. The home of the Grapevine Chapter, the Masonic Lodge on Main Street, was constructed by the Masons in 1915 as the first school in Grapevine.

GRACE is both humbled and honored to be one of the many charitable agencies, service projects, and organizations supported by the work of the Order.

 

On July 10, 2020   /   Uncategorized