and
Rite of Adoption for the
State
of North Carolina Jurisdiction
Affiliated
with the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of
Free
& Accepted Masons of North Carolina and Jurisdictions, Inc.
First
(Black) Grand Chapter Started in N.C.
The
Order of the Eastern Star was first formed in 1730, in France.Closer
to home, the first Grand Chapter of the Eastern Star was organized in Washington,
North Carolina 150 years later.
Robert
Morris and Robert Macoy have been credited with beginning the Order of
Eastern Star. It was Morris’ feeling that Masonry should be a family affiliation.
Members who considered women inferior to men and who did not approve of
Morris’ plan met Morris’ steps to make that dream a reality with fierce
resistance.
Morris
soon realized that he would have to develop another strategy.Finally,
he created the Eastern Star Degree.Rights
to the Eastern Star Degree were transferred to Macoy when Morris journeyed
to the Holy Land.
By
1880, the first (Black) Grand Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star was
formed in Washington, NC. A year later, a Grand Chapter was held in Raleigh,
NC. Chapters in Fayetteville, Smithfield and Warrenton followed.
When
the Adoptive Rite was first introduced in North Carolina, it was comprised
solely of the Eastern Star Degree. Later Robert Macoy, who gave to Robert
Morris the credit of being the founder of the Adoptive Rite, wrote the
ritual for the “Queen of the South.” The, ritual was received by the Grand
Chapter in NC directly from the author, by the Grand Patron and Grand Master
J. W. Hood.
Macoy
later wrote the Ritual of “The Amaranth” in order to give a greater diversion
to the work, which completed his purpose to improve upon the plan of the
original author of the Adoptive Rite. This Ritual was written to include
symbolic representations of the highest and purest principles of morality
and religion. The added degrees contributed greatly to a rapid growth of
the Eastern Star and many new chapters were started.
While
the newly established order grew, in 1910 a change of name, and a deviation
from the landmarks caused confusion and eventually the order was reorganized,
assuming its former name, Grand Chapter Order of Eastern Star, Affiliated
with the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of North Carolina Free and Accepted
Masons. (Excerpts are from the History of the Grand Chapter Order of
Eastern Star.)