GRACE CHAPTER NO. 239 HISTORY

 

On June 10, 2000 a planning meeting with Marion Martin, Grand District Deputy Organizer (PGDDO) for District Council No. 26, Order of the Easter Star was held at her home to start an OES Chapter at Triangle, Virginia.

 

September 12, 2000, the men, (Masons) of Triangle Lodge No. 293, PHA, agreed to support the formation of the Triangle Study Club.

 

October 10, 2000, GDDO Marion Martin met with Past Master Thomas Martin and Worshipful Master Tommy Campbell of Triangle Lodge No. 293 to provide information on starting a new Chapter.

 

January 20, 2001, The Triangle Study Club held the first meeting at Triangle Lodge No. 293. The initial officers were: President, Nina Jackson; Vice-President, Ebony Green; Secretary, Letha Robinson; and Treasurer, Faye Campbell. Members in attendance were Kevin Brooks, Tommy E. Campbell Jr., Rufus Jackson Jr., Russell Martin, Wathen Montgomery, Arthur Robinson, and GDDO Marion Martin.

 

March 23, 2002, several new members joined the Triangle Study Club and subsequently “Grace” was selected as the Chapter’s name.

 

March 29, 2003, Grand Worthy Matron, Dorothy W. Roberts and Grand Worthy Patron Robert Davis were in attendance as Worthy Matron Joyce Johnson and Worthy Patron Clifton Johnson both of Pride of Fairfax Chapter No. 225 OES, PHA, opened the initial OES meeting at Triangle Lodge and initiated the founding members and officers of Grace Chapter No. 239 Under Dispensation (UD), Order of the Eastern Star, Prince Hall Affiliation. The Chapter was UD pending the Grand Lodge’s approval of the By-Laws and Charter.

 

On April 12, 2003, Grace Chapter No. 239 UD held its first meeting. On July 16, 2003, Grand Worthy Matron Dorothy Robinson presented Grace Chapter No. 239 its Charter bearing an effective date of July 22, 2003. On July 22, 2003, during the One Hundred Second Annual Session of the Grand Chapter, Order of Eastern Star of Virginia (PHA) held in Richmond, Virginia the Chapter’s Charter was confirmed.

 

The Charter Members were:

Nina Jackson, Worthy Matron

Arthur Robinson, Worthy Patron

Letha Robinson, Associate Matron

Robert Hanna, Associate Patron

Karlesta Mitchell, Conductress

Angela Fields, Associate Conductress

Valerie Noel, Secretary

Sherial Faye Campbell, Treasurer

Denise Stewart, Warder

Kevin Brooks, Musician

Vondell Zina Harrison, Marshall

Patricia Carter-Brown, Ruth

Russell Martin, Chaplain

Tommy Campbell, Chairman of the Trustees

Wathen Montgomery, Jr., Trustee in South

Rufus Jackson Jr., Trustee in North