Independent Order of Odd Fellows Webster Lodge #24 New Hampshire
Origins and Nature of the Institution
The Order of Odd Fellows is a benevolent and social society, sometimes classified as a friendly benefit society having initiatory rites and ceremonies, gradation or degrees in membership, and mystic signs of recognition and communication.
While Odd Fellowship is not a religious institution, many of its principles, tenets, practices, and objectives are based upon the teachings of the Holy Bible. Many of the rites and ceremonies, of ritual and lectures, the secret passwords, signs, and counter-signs, have a Biblical origin or significance.
Any friendly and benevolent society is a mutual association of individuals which has as its chief purpose the welfare of its members. One of its primary aims is to provide its members with aid when suffering for the needs of life because of illness, unemployment, or other misfortunes. The relief or sustenance of members, of their families and close relatives, of their widows and orphans in case of death, appears to have been the chief purpose of the organization of Odd Fellowship in its beginning. These aims and purposes have been consistently and faithfully maintained throughout the history of the Order.
By 1796 Odd Fellow organizations were numerous in England, and each was independent from the others. Fraternal groups such as the Odd Fellows were suppressed in England for a time, but by 1803 the Odd Fellows were revived by an organization called "London Union Odd Fellows," which later became known as the "Grand Lodge of England" and assumed authority over all Odd Fellow lodges in that country.
Why the Name Odd Fellows?
There are several different reasons given for our strange name. One old and apparently authoritative history of Odd Fellowship gives the explanation, "That common laboring men should associate themselves together and form a fraternity for social unity and fellowship and for mutual help was such a marked violation of the trends of the times (England in the 1700's) that they became known as 'peculiar' or 'odd,' and hence they were derided as 'Odd Fellows.' Because of the appropriateness of the name, those engaged in forming these unions accepted it. When legally incorporated the title 'Odd Fellows' was adopted."
Another, similar explanation is that the original Odd Fellows were men who were engaged in various or odd trades, as there were organizations for some of the larger trades.
Modern references state that the true reason for the name Odd Fellows isn't known or documented. Whatever the reason may have been, the unusual name has been the object of public curiosity (and on occasion derision or mirth) for well over 200 years.
Odd Fellowship In North America
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows as we know it today began in Baltimore, Maryland, where five members of the Order from England founded Washington Lodge No. 1 on April 26, 1819, by self-institution. One of these Brothers was Thomas Wildey, the first Noble Grand and the man revered as the founder of Odd Fellowship in North America. A charter was received from Duke of York Lodge in Preston, England, in 1820, a year and a half after its self-institution.
A second lodge was formed in Baltimore in 1819, but these two lodges and those in New York were unaware of each others' existence for some time, communications being slow in those days and there being no reason such information would travel from one city to another except by pure chance.
In 1821, the "Grand Lodge of Maryland and of the United States of America, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows," was founded. Brother Wildey also served as the first Grand Master/Grand Sire of the first Grand Lodge, for a period of 12 years. Several more lodges were established, and in 1824, the "Grand Lodge of the United States" now termed "The Sovereign Grand Lodge," was separated from the Grand Lodge of Maryland. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows in North America (United States and Canada) became independent from the Order in England in 1834.
The letters within the links of our logo stand for “Friendship”, “Love” and “Truth”
Webster Lodge #24
Independent Order of Odd Fellows
42 Mountain Road
Goffstown, NH 03045
(603) 497-5464
Chartered in 1877, Webster Lodge has been a contributing factor in the development and welfare of Goffstown for over 130 years.
We are fortunate to have a “Nest Egg” that provides the funds needed to support our year to year normal operating expenses. This frees us to allow all of our efforts to be devoted to the needs of individuals and other organizations in town.
Some of the organizations we support:
Arthritis Foundation Dream Catchers Soccer Team
Little League Baseball Goffstown Parks & Rec. Upreach Riding Center
Girl Scouts Cub Scouts Goffstown Network
Wounded Warrior Project Goffstown CERT Muscular Dystrophy
Numerous Goffstown Schools Organizations.
Major financial contributions:
Goffstown Library (elevator) Skateboard Park Church Street Park
Stark Hall renovations Goffstown 250th Committee
Goffstown Children’s Christmas Program: Work in conjunction with Goffstown Network to provide Christmas presents for needy children in Goffstown and New Boston. In 2010 we provided Christmas to over 80 families and 180 children.
Annual Goffstown High School Scholarships: We provide a $2,000 scholarship to a deserving male and female graduating senior.
Monthly Breakfast: The Lodge hosts a benefit breakfast the first Sunday of each month. The proceeds support a wide variety of town organizations. Over the past 3 years the breakfasts have served over 3,000 and netted community organizations over $12,000.
NEED A ROOM FOR A PARTY OR MEETING?
The Air Conditioned Lodge hall has a maximum capacity of 100. It is available for use for a donation. Unfortunately alcoholic beverages are not allowed on Lodge property. Please call 497-5464 to get more information.
WE NEED MEMBERS!
Less than 8 hours a month, a wish to help your community, and belief in a God is all that is required. Meetings are at the Lodge Hall the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at 7:00 PM
I AM AN ODD FELLOW
I believe in the Fatherhood of God, and the Brotherhood of Man.
I believe in Friendship, Love and Truth as basic guides to the ultimate destiny of all mankind.
I believe my home, my church or temple, my lodge, and my community deserve my best work, my modest pride, my ernest faith, and my deepest loyalty, as I perform my duty "to visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead and educate the orphan" and as I work with others to build a better world, because, in spirit and in truth, I am and must always be, Grateful to my Creator, faithful to my country and fraternal to my fellow-man;
I AM AN ODD FELLOW
