Eureka Chapter, No. 2

Eureka Chapter, No. 2

History is a record of past events. It has been said that the history of an organization may be written in five words: Discovery...Acquisition...Possession…Wealth...Decay. Someone must conceive the thought, someone must launch the idea, someone must acquire proper use of the public sentiment, promote the development and build the organization or allow it to decay. All black organizations boost race and pride. A Methodist editor scolded his readers saying, "stop forcing your way into white institutions". Professional people and others began to follow this advice. Black Editors organized in 1880, Black teachers organized in 1889, Black Doctors organized in 1895, Black Unions organized in 1890, and in New York and Boston, Massachusetts, Negroes organized their own Grand Operas in 1895.

It was during this era, on October 19th, 1892; Eureka Chapter No. 2, Order of the Eastern Star, Prince Hall affiliated was organized in New Haven, CT. Eureka Chapter was instituted by the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States whose headquarters was in Philadelphia, PA. Eureka’s meeting place was 74 Webster St., New Haven, CT. We began our existence with sixty-four (64) members. We have the distinction of having given the Order its first Grand Worthy Matron, Sister Lena Willis in 1894. Subsequently, we have given Prince Hall Grand Chapter, our parent body:  Eleven (11) Grand Worthy Matrons, namely Sisters: Lena Willis*, Carolyn Hickman*, Mamie Williams*, Laura McCoy*, Adele Emery*, Alice Redmond*, Bertha B. Deas*, Laura Gilliams, Phyllis M. Hargrove, Bryana P. Minor and Marilynn G. Tucker.  Seventeen (17) Grand Worthy Patrons, namely Brothers: Robert Reed*, John Turner*, William H. Tribbets, Sr.*, Anthony Wittington*, Andrew Epps*, James Williams*, John Edwards*, Charles Twyman, Sr.*, Adrian Redmond*, Willie Roberts*, DeWitt Jones*, Walter Little*, John T. Ford, Jr.*, Harold L. Grey, Marvin Miller, William Tucker, Jr. and Raymond F. Johnson, Jr.  

Currently serving as Grand Worthy Matron and Grand Worthy Patron are Sonda J. Thomas and Ronald A. Thomas, Sr.

Now, in our 125th year of existence, we hope we can hold true to the ideals on which this chapter was founded in New Haven, CT.