History of Myra Grand Chapter

History of Myra Grand Chapter

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In pursuance of a call by the following chapters:

• Electa Chapter No. 2 (now Electa Chapter No. 1), instituted in May 1876 in Baltimore, Maryland
• Queen Esther Chapter No. 5 (now Queen Esther Chapter No. 2), instituted on May 24, 1882 in Frederick, Maryland
• Queen of Sheba Chapter No. 6 (now Queen of Sheba No. 3) instituted on August 10, 1874 in Baltimore, Maryland
• Bathsheba Chapter No. 7 (now Bathsheba No. 4), instituted on November 26, 1895 in Nanticoke, Maryland

they all assembled in the new Samaritan Temple at Calvert and Saratoga Streets, Baltimore, Maryland on Thursday, November 26, 1896.  After mature deliberation, these chapters organized and formed a Grand Chapter Adoptive Rite, Order of the Eastern Star for the State of Maryland and Its Jurisdiction in the name of Myra Grand Chapter.

The Convention was called to order at 12 pm on November 26, 1896, by J. Murray Ralph of Electa Chapter No. 2, (now No. 1), who read the following call. :

“Whereas, It is in the province of every State to have a Grand Chapter whenever there shall exist not less than three (3) legally constituted Chapters of the Order of the Eastern Star within the said State and,

Whereas there do now exist four (4) Chapters in the State of Maryland therefore,

Resolved: That we do organize a Grand Chapter for the State of Maryland and its Jurisdiction, that all chapters represented at the Convention holding charters by the Grand Chapter of Maryland when formed at a nominal cost for the same.”

On the motion of Brother Arthur Thompson, the Convention proceeded to the election of officers for the Grand Chapter of Maryland, after which, on motion of Brother Arthur Thompson, the Convention adjourned.

The Grand Chapter, O.E.S. for the State of Maryland was then opened by Royal Grand Patron John N. Hunt of the Georgiana Thomas Grand Chapter of the District of Columbia assisted by Past Patron James O. Bampfield, 33°, and the members of the Georgiana Thomas Grand Chapter, Jurisdiction of Washington, DC.  Royal Grand Patron John. N. Hunt then installed the following as Grand Officers – Elect for the ensuing year:

In 1928, during the administration of Worthy Grand Matron Marietta Stewart and Worthy Grand Patron Charles W. Simms, a recommendation was submitted to change the name from the Grand Chapter of the State of Maryland to Myra Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, PHA, and Its Jurisdiction. The recommendation was tabled for one year and then adopted in 1929.