About OES

The Order of the Eastern Star is the largest fraternal organization in the world to which both women and men may belong. Eastern Star was founded by Dr. Rob Morris in 1850. Dr. Morris created the degrees of the Eastern Star around the lives of five Biblical women. They are Jephthah’s Daughter, whom he chose to call Adah; Ruth, Esther, Martha, and, from the Second Epistle of John, the Elect Lady, to whom he gave the name Electa.

He chose these women because each of them exemplifies virtues that are the tenets of the Order: Fidelity, Constancy, Loyalty, Faith, and Love. Even though our ritual is based on heroines from the Bible, the Order of the Eastern Star is clearly not a religion. It does not pretend to take the place of a religion or to serve as a substitute. We welcome petitioners from all faiths.

The Minnesota Grand Chapter website (see links) contains more history and information on the Order.