Dr. Rob Morris, known as the "Poet Laureate of Masonry," conceived the Order of the Eastern Star in 1850.  Dr. Morris created the degrees of the Eastern Star around the lives of five Biblical women. they were Adah (Jephthah's daughter), Ruth, Ester, Martha, and Electa.  The reason was that each of these Biblical examples stands for one of the tenets of the Order. They are Fidelity, Constancy, Loyalty, Faith, and Love.

 

Even though our ceremonies are based on heroines from the Bible, the Order of the Eastern Star is clearly not a relgion. It does not pretend to take the place of a religion, or serve as a substitute for the religious beliefs of its members.  Our members come from all denominations.

 

The Order of the Eastern Star is a Mason-related fraternal organization of women and men dedicated to charity, truth and loving kindness. This order is comprised of people with deep religious convictions and spiritual values, open to all faiths except no faith.

 

Although not part of the Masonic fraternitiy, membership is based on a Masonic affiliation or relationship, a belief in a God, a desire to acquire additional knowledge and for self-mprovement.

 

The degrees of the Order of the Eastern Star teach lessons of fidelity, constancy, loyalty, faith and love.  These degress are presented in a beautiful ritualistic ceremony designed to not only teach the lessons, but also to provide insight for future study and understanding.

 

The organization was founded by Dr. Rob Morris, for the expressed purpose of offering support and affiliation to the wives, mothers, daughters, grandchildren, etc. of Free Masons.  The organization is open to both men and women.

 

We select our own charities and places of service in our communities. Some statewide projects include scholarships for ministerial students, other general scholarships for youth, and supporting a home for aged members.  Each year special charities are selected for that year's emphasis and might include volunteer programs in elementary schools or volunteers in literacy programs and specific community outreach.