West Virginia GM Boots OES Chapters Out of All Masonic Buildings

[My Freemasonry]

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by Christopher Hodapp

NOTE: THIS STORY HAS BEEN UPDATED AS OF MONDAY APRIL 7, 2025 AT 6:40PM:

I've had it confirmed that on March 21st, 2025, David Ray Pyle, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge AF&AM of West Virginia, issued a directive ordering all chapters of the Order of the Eastern Star to vacate all West Virginia Masonic buildings, effective immediately.

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WV Grand Master David Ray Pyle​

In his directive, he states that the O.E.S. in West Virginia no longer requires Masonic membership as a prerequisite. Consequently, they may no longer be permitted the use of any Masonic hall in that jurisdiction. He further states that the order extends to all Masonic building premisses, not just the lodge room itself.

GM Pyle has given the O.E.S. until July 21st to remove their property and ephemera from all Masonic halls, with a final drop-dead eviction date of September 21st.

I've not yet seen an official reaction from the O.E.S. Grand Chapter of West Virginia or the O.E.S. General Grand Chapter in Washington, D.C.

This story will be updated.

UPDATE:
Thanks to Brother C. Winston Douglas for finding the following information. The Masonic membership prerequisite still remains in place for men wishing to join the OES. Only the female relationship to an existing Mason has been dropped from their requirements.

Here's the change announced in November by the OES General Chapter:

WASHINGTON — At the Order of the Eastern Star (OES) 51st General Grand Chapter held in Florida [sic] in October 2024, a resolution was passed to allow membership to all women who are sponsored by two members of the Order and are eligible for membership. This is a change from the previous requirement that OES members have a Masonic family affiliation or have been a members of a Masonic youth group. OES members nationwide are excited about this change as it will allow more women the opportunity to experience the friendship of Star and to make a difference in the world through its charitable works and kindness to others.

Information regarding the OES can be found at the websites https://washingtonoes.org or https://easternstar.org.

To be completely factual, their triennial assembly last year was in Myrtle Beach, SC, not Florida.

GM Pyle does have leeway, even with their regulations in West Virginia. And to cut off the OES, which is seen as being of benefit to hundreds of lodges throughout the U.S. (along with being an occasional goad to non-Mason men whose wives are OES members to seek Masonic membership), seems unduly harsh. It's tough to see how this benefits - or even protects - Freemasonry in West Virginia.


Says the Dummy Mason from the relative safety of his perch in Indiana.


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