Independent Order of Odd Fellows

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.) is an altruistic fraternal organization derived from the similar English Oddfellows service organizations which came into being during the 1700s, at a time when altruistic and charitable acts were far less common.^[1] The word "Independent" in the organization name was given by the English parent organization as part of the chartered title in the new North American chapter:

History

In England, the official oddfellows organization name, "The Patriotic Order" was followed by successors during a period of merger and re-organization by the "Union of United Orders" and then "The Loyal Order", and finally the "Union Order".^{citation needed} In 1813, various lodges of the Union Order organized the "Manchester Unity of Oddfellows" which chartered the I.O.O.F in North America in 1819.

While several unofficial lodges had existed in New York City before, because of the charter relationship, American Odd Fellowship is regarded as being founded in Baltimore in 1819, by Thomas Wildey and some of his associates^[1], and the following year affiliated with the Manchester Unity. Within a few years the new American Lodges separated from the English Orders and formed the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Its ladies' auxiliary is known as the "Daughters of Rebekah" (aka the Rebekahs).^[4] Both the Odd Fellows and Rebekahs have higher branches known as Encampments and Patriarchs Militant.^[5]^[6]

Today, some branches of the order (i.e. some countries) allow women to join the Odd Fellows itself, leading the Rebekahs to have declined in importance. Also, the higher branches and their degrees are, in some countries, becoming regarded as less important or too time-consuming, and (in those countries) are gradually being abandoned.

Symbols, lodges, officers, positions and degrees

The most widely encountered symbol of the IOOF – on signage and gravemarkers – is the three-link chain ("the Chain With Three Links", the "Triple Links") with three initials, 'F', 'L' and 'T', one each inside each link, signifying Friendship, Love and Truth.

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows have three levels of "Lodge": the Subordinate Lodge, the Encampment, and the Patriarchs Militant. In addition, there is a private club named The Ancient Mystic Order of Samaritans (AMOS).

Subordinate Lodge

The Subordinate Lodge is the Lodge assigned to new initiates, and is Odd Fellowship's equivalent of the Free Mason's Blue / Symbolic Lodge. The initials of the subordinate lodge are "FLT" (Friendship, Love and Truth). Once one has made their way through all the degrees and has had the 3rd degree (truth) bestowed upon them, they are entitled to hold an officer position in their lodge, and are also eligible to go on further in Odd Fellowship through the higher degree branches such as the Encampment and the Patriarchs Militant (aka the Canton).

Encampment

The Encampment is the Odd Fellows' equivalent to Freemasonry's "Scottish Rite", as they both offer the most degrees outside the Subordinate Lodge. Unlike Freemasonry, where one can choose either the Scottish or York Rite branches, in Odd Fellowship one must go through the Encampment first before seeking entrance into the highest branch, the Patriarchs Militant. Once one has accomplished the 3rd degree of the Encampment, one is eligible to hold an officer position in the Encampment and is also eligible for the Patriarchs Militant.

The initials of the Encampment are FHC which stands for Faith, Hope and Charity. The Encampment's seal is a purple tent with golden trim, the triple links above the tent door and crossed shepherds crooks. One must retain his membership and remain in good standing within his own subordinate lodge while in the Encampment.

Patriarchs Militant

The Patriarchs Militant (PM) is Odd Fellowship's equivalent of Freemasonry's "York Rite", and is the branch which offers the highest degree of the IOOF. There is only one degree, the Chevalier degree. Upon completion of this degree, one is entitled to hold office in the Canton. Sometimes the Patriarchs Militant is referred to as "the Canton", due to the Canton being the name used in lieu of "Lodge". The seal of the PM is a gold and jeweled crown, within which is a shepherds crook crossed with a sword and the triple links of Odd Fellowship connecting the two at the bottom. One must retain their membership and remain in good standing within both the subordinate lodge and Encampment while a member of the PM.

The Ancient Mystic Order of Samaritans (AMOS)

This is the Odd Fellow's equivalent of Freemasonry's Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (or Shriners). It is not an officially recognized body within Odd Fellowship; it is a private club to which only those who are Odd Fellows may belong. A brother who holds the third degree and is in good standing within his subordinate lodge (i.e. he has not been expelled or in arrears of dues, etc.) is eligible to make an application to join.

The brothers who belong to the AMOS, much like the Shriners, wear a red fez, but the tassel which hangs from the fez is of different colors depending on the degree attained or the office held. The seal of the AMOS is an owl sitting upon a pyramid. Above the owl are the words "WE NEVER SLEEP"; at the base of the pyramid is the word Xerxes, and below the pyramid is the Arabian sword called a scimitar. The word Xerxes alludes to the password of the first degree of the AMOS.

1 Humility (or Samaritan) [Red fez with a yellow tassel]
2 Perfection (or Sheik) [Red fez with a red tassel]

Grand United Order of Odd Fellows

The Grand United Order of Odd Fellows is a fraternal organization founded in 1843 for black members.^[7] Created at a time when the IOOF was primarily a white-only organization, the GUOOF obtained its charter directly from the Manchester Unity in Great Britain and the American IOOF organization had no control over it. Although still in existence, membership in the US has declined, due to the mainstream IOOF no longer being segregated and the decline in fraternal membership in general.

Architectural impact

Although in Britain the Odd Fellows tended to meet in pubs, in the U.S. the lodges often built their own facilities. Many of these are now on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places:

History

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