History of the Grand Chapter of Manitoba

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Our History

OES has a long history in Manitoba with the first chapter constituted in 1922.

The Grand Chapter of Manitoba was organized at a convention held in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on June 20 – 21, 1922. There were 14 Chapters in Manitoba at the time that the Grand Chapter was legally constituted and chartered by the General Grand Chapter. Over the years following Manitoba has had as many as 68 Chapters, but presently there are 7 active Chapters.

The information below was presented by Mrs. Eileen Hurlburt, PGM, at the 50th Anniversary of the Grand Chapter of Manitoba in 1972 and is reproduced with her permission.

“Winnipeg, Manitoba, Latitude 49-54 degrees North, Longitude 97-08 degrees West, the world’s greatest grain center, at the confluence of the Assiniboine and Red rivers, in one of the choicest of God’s fertile gardens, with its beautiful buildings, splendid hotels and true men and women with hearts of Gold. June 20th, 1922.

Representatives from all Chapters have held elected or appointed offices in the Grand Chapter of Manitoba, and at this, our Golden Anniversary Session, we are privileged to have many Past Grand Officers with us.

Tonight we are planning to present a short history of the past fifty years and to introduce to you the Worthy Grand Matrons and Worthy Grand Patrons and members of their Grand Families in our Golden Anniversary Pageant.

“ Friendship is a golden thread that runs throughout the years,
And we look back on the past, that shining thread appears;
Weaving in and out the days, a bright unbroken strand,
Life’s fabric becomes worn beneath the pressure of Time’s hand;
But nothing dims the brightness of a friendship tried and true,
The colors may be faded, but the gold comes gleaming through.”

In reviewing the history of our Grand Chapter we will endeavour to bring to you now, in words and music, a few highlights of the past fifty years.

The first golden threads of Manitoba’s Tapestry were woven by dedicated pioneers of our first fourteen Chapters when the Grand Chapter of Manitoba was legally constituted and chartered by the General Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star.

Chapters which have surrendered their Charter