Fredericksburg Lodge #22. Knights of Pythias is an international, non-sectarian fraternal order, established in 1864 in Washington, DC, by Justus H. Rathbone and was the first fraternal order to be chartered by an Act of Congress.
The Pythian Order was founded by Justus Rathbone in Washington DC in 1864 in response to the anger and hatred brought on by the Civil War.
Proximity to D. C. made VA an obvious area of expansion.. In 1865 Dr. John D King Jr. started Alexandria Lodge #1. This lodge lasted only five months since most of its officers moved (They had been stationed aboard a ship. ) It was not until 1868 when six new lodges were started that the Order gained a foothold in the “Old Dominion”. The number of lodges continued to increase until it reached 81 in 1903. It remained at about this number until 1924 At that date a gradual decrease in the number of lodges began, dropping off gradually until today only 10 lodges remain. Some interesting membership statistics include:
· A membership drive in 1918 brought in 227 new members. The drive cost $1405.
· In 1919 a total of 1165 men were initiated in Virginia.
· In 1923-4 Roanoke #133 gained 259 new members bring its total membership to 1000. Osceola #124 brought in 126 men making its total membership 1094. The following year these lodges increased their membership to 1136 and 1269 respectively. In 1927 Roanoke #133 Had 1667 members
· In 1936 Fredericksburg Lodge # 22 gained 134 members. An even 100 of these were signed up by H. T. Ballard.
· In 1945, twelve percent of Virginia’s knights were serving in the military (840 men)
· In 1943 the largest lodges were Charity #10 with 1633 and Roanoke #133 with 1133.
· In 1986 the Grand Domain had an increase in membership
· In 1992, Beach Lodge #169 was instituted by Grand Chancellor Dave Mead.
· In 2006, Sir David Mead became the 3rd Virginia Pythian to be elected Supreme Chancellor..
· In 2008, an outstanding Supreme Lodge Convention was put on in Norfolk Virginia. DaveMead concluded his term as Supreme Chancellor.
The primary object of fraternal organizations is to promote friendship among men and to relieve suffering. Each organization adopts some outstanding principle as its objective. The individuality of an order is determined by its ideal sentiment. The distinguishing principles of the Order of Knights of Pythias are "FRIENDSHIP, CHARITY and BENEVOLENCE".
The American Cancer Society is the national Charity of the Knights of Pythias.
CAMP HOLIDAY TRAILS is a camp for sick children is located near Charlottesville. It is a favorite charity of VA Pythians. Fredericksburg Lodge #22 also donated $10,000 to it. Work weekends are held twice a year. During these weekends, Knights helpout with repairs and groundwork at the Camp
