Oriental Chapter, No. 8

A petition was presented to the Grand Chapter of the Order of The Eastern Star, State of CT, by 18 Sisters and Brothers in good standing with their Masonic Lodge, for a charter to be granted for the creation of a new Chapter in Bridgeport, CT. The Grand Chapter granted that charter and on 27 June 1912, Oriental Chapter # 8, O.E.S, State of CT was officially established. Sister Clara Otis Lockwood was the first Worthy Matron, Brother Mathis Y. Taylor, Worthy Patron and Sister Mary Burr, Associate Matron.

Oriental Chapter #8 has continued to thrive. There are presently 63 members in our Chapter. Oriental has the distinct honor of being the first Chapter to have a married couple presiding together in the Grand East in the persons of PGM Sister Hortense B. Wilson and PGP Brother Theodore Wilson from 1982-1984. PGP Wilson also presided in the Grand East from 1980-1982. Oriental Chapter #8 has had nine additional members in the Grand East. They are--PGP Brother Robert E. Adams, 1996-1998, PGP Brother Charles Gwyn, 1988-1990, PGP Brother Fred McDaniels, 1949-1951, PGM Sister Althea McKay, 1974-1976, PGM Sister Lina Mitchell, 1913-1915 and 1919-1921, PGP Brother Enoch Parker, 1959-1961, PGM Sister Charlotte Ward, 1959-1961, PGP Brother Clarence Williams, 1967-1969 and 2000-2002, PGM M. Maxine Mix 2008-2010 and PGP Samuel Mitchell 2018-2021. We are very proud to have that legacy.

The members of Oriental Chapter #8 provide mentoring to our youth through the Order of Novae-Eve Chapter #3 and the Knights of Pythagoras. We enjoy seeing them growing into strong women and men with wholesome values and a love of community through service.

Oriental Chapter #8 is continuing in the spirit of "Not my will, but Thine, be done." Together with Doric Lodge #4 we continue our community outreach with food and toy drives, scholarships and feeding of the homeless during holiday seasons.