Pentalpha Chapter 1920-2011
Celebrating our 91st Year!
A Brief History of Pentalpha Chapter No. 38, OES
From Program Book, 75th Anniversary, October 22, 1995
Written by Phyllis Johnston PM
Post-1995 Updates added by Michelle Brink, April 2009
Pentalpha Chapter No. 38, Order of the Eastern Star, of Germantown, was born in early 1920. While no records can be found as to the exact date on which it was instituted, it is believed to have taken place in early February. Twenty-eight Chapter Members were initiated by Naomi Chapter.
Helen Etchison was the Chapter’s first Worthy Matron. Originally from Frederick, Maryland, she played the piano and was active in the community. She was the wife of Bates Etchison, who for many years was the only dentist in Gaithersburg. He also was the president of the First National Bank of Gaithersburg. They had no children. However, Helen had two brothers, one of whom as George Myers; her sister was Isabelle Myers Ward.
Charles Becraft was the first Worthy Patron, and his wife’s name was Katie Becraft. They had six children, Mabel Becraft, PM, Eva M. Lanahan, PM, Helen M. Bean, J. Herbert Becraft, Clarence Becraft and Henry Becraft. Charles owned a grocery store at the corner of Route 355 and Brooks Avenue in Gaithersburg. The entire Becraft family was active in the Pentalpha Star Chapter and Lodge. Katie and Helen served as Star Point Electa. Jesse C. Crawford served as the Chapter’s first Associate Matron.
The first minutes of the Chapter available were written for the March 19, 1920 meeting. The Secretary was instructed to purchase the necessary books for the Chapter records, and it was also moved that typewritten applications be obtained. Several committees were appointed at that meeting, including one dealing with “Badges, Jewels, Regalia and Furnishings.”
The minutes from those early meetings are very sparse. For example, on September 16 of that year, they simply read, “Minutes of the preceding meeting read and approved. Bertie Jacobs, Mae Briggs, Maud A. Waters and Robert Neil Henderson were initiated.”
A letter from Brother Coombs, the Grand Secretary, was read at the October 1, 1920 meeting, stating that a special meeting of the Grand Chapter would convene on October 13 at that year for the purpose of granting Charters to Barton, Kensington, and Pentalpha Chapters, U.D.
At the November 19, 1920, meeting a communication was read from the Grand Secretary concerning the date the Chapter would be constituted (but no date was included in the minutes). The Bylaws of the Chapter were approved on December 3, 1920.
Charter Members:
- Eva M. Becraft
- Mabel Becraft
- Katie Becraft
- Charles Becraft
- Charles Crawford
- Jessie Crawford
- John B. Ely
- Essie Ely
- Bates Etchison
- Helen Etchison
- Raymond Ford
- Helen Ford
- Fannie Fulks
- Elizabeth Fulks
- Carrie Kingsley
- Harry McCabe
- Susie McCabe
- Ethel Mills
- Virginia Moore
- Helen Selby
- John Stover
- Maggie Stover
- Minnie Toxell
- Thomas Toxell
- Laura Walker
- Roland Walker
- William Waters
On December 17, the chairman of the committee “on talking over plans for raising money to buy new chairs for the hall” reported that the committee had decided to hold a Fair in the early spring, very likely the Chapter’s first fundraising event. After the purchase of the chairs, the Chapter decided to invest the remaining money in Masonic Temple and Library stock which would be divided equally between the Chapter and Pentalpha Lodge No. 194.
The Chapter initiated 17 members during its first year.
The Second Year
Pentalpha Chapter was officially presented and officers installed during the January 7, 1921, meeting. According to the March 18 minutes, a seal was purchased and Sister Ely resigned as organist. Sister Janet Bell was appointed organist April 1, 1921, a position she held until 1962. Grand Visitation was held on June 17 and the Chapter balloted on five candidates. The officers for 1922 were installed in December. The Chapter initiated 19 new members that year.
The Third Year
A Standing Committee was formed consisting of the Associate Matron, Secretary and Treasurer to purchase a Past Matron’s jewel for the retiring Matron at a cost of no more than $41. A suitable gift for the retiring Patron also was to be provided. A resolution stating that the Chapter shall expend more than $50 each year for charitable purposes was adopted. Although there was discussion about closing the Chapter during the summer months, no action was taken.
1923
Prior to the Installation of officers on January 5, the degrees of the order were conferred on three candidates. On June 15, a motion was made to close the Chapter during July and August, but it was voted down. During the October 5 meeting, approval was given for the securing of a janitor and plans were made for a Halloween party.
1924
During the second month in January, Worthy Patron Bates Etchison suggested that all officers wear white dresses during the Chapter meetings. At the February 15 meeting, the Secretary was instructed to buy a scepter for the Esther station and the Worthy Patron was to purchase an electrical Star (provided it did not exceed $12). At a later meeting, the cost for purchasing the Star was deemed too high (after finding out it cost $21), and Brother Kizer was asked to make one for $10 for the Chapter.
1925
A committee was appointed on September 18 to confer with the Blue Lodge about purchasing a flag to be used by both bodies. On October 15, it was reported that the Lodge was willing to go 50/50 in purchasing a flag. During the November 20 meeting, a committee of three was appointed to confer with sister Chapters of the County about forming a Past Matron and Past Patron Association. Also, the refreshment and entertainment committees were made into a permanent committee to devise ways and means.
1926
During a dinner celebrating the Chapter’s birthday, a profit of $101.20 was made. On October 1, it was voted that the Chapter pay $1 per member to the I.M.T. Association. However, there was no explanation just what an “I.M.T. Association” is. The chapter went over the 100 member mark during this year... not bad for a Chapter only six years old.
1930 - 1950’s
In 1930, Brother J. B. Nichol became the first Associate Patron for Pentalpha- until this time, no such office was authorized the Grand Chapter. Some of Pentalpha’s members withdrew to form Montgomery Chapter No. 93 in Rockville. During 1931, Sister Helen Etchison because the Worthy Matron for a second time due to the untimely death of the Associate Matron Aleze Cissel. The next year, Worthy Matron Nellie Wachter and Worthy Patron Bates Etchison were invited to help in dedication of the Eastern Star Temple in Washington, D.C. Sister Orra O. McBain presented the Worthy Matron’s traveling jewel to the Chapter in 1937. It is still being used by the Chapter today.
In 1951, Sister Lorraine Walker had the honor of being Worthy Matron of a Chapter which included five of her sisters and one brother. Worthy Patron Ralph Hayward was called into overseas work for the United States government, so Brother William Irvin finished out his year. A tornado did extensive damage to the building’s roof in 1953, which caused contrary reports that the Eastern Star ladies had “raised the roof.” Grand Visitation was held during a severe snow storm and officers, members, and visitors came dressed like arctic explorers.
Moving Experiences
The Temple in Gaithersburg was ordered closed and the building auctioned and sold on November 4, 1972. The meeting night was changed from Friday to second and fourth Mondays when the Chapter moved to the Knights of Pythias Hall. In 1976, the Chapter again packed up their belongings and in September moved from the Hall to Darnestown Presbyterian Church. In 1978, the installation of officers for subordinate chapters was changed from January to March; therefore Sister Beatrice King and Brother Alber Hallack served 14 months in the East.
In September of 1982, the Chapter moved once again, this time into the permanent Masonic Center in Germantown. The Chapter met in the “cozy” Lodge for the first time on February 10, 1986. This was a record year in new members as Sister Caroline Hill and Brother Phil Ide initiated 11 new members and affiliated one. Sister Jean and Brother Bill Coldiron brought in 10 of the 11 petitions for new members.
The first meeting in the Chapter’s home was help in January of 1993, so it was “goodbye” to the “cozy” Lodge and bask in the glory of meeting in a room big enough to actually do floor work!
In October of 1995, Pentalpha Chapter celebrated its Diamond Jubilee (75th Year) with a luncheon at Montgomery Country Club.
Post-1995 Highlights
In 1998, Montgomery Chapter #93 of Rockville was consolidated with Pentalpha Chapter. Pentalpha’s Worthy Matron Michelle Brink presided over the formal ceremony to welcome Montgomery Chapter’s members into the Pentalpha family.
2001 was a thrilling year for our Chapter as our very own Robert Ross was installed as Worthy Grand Patron of Maryland and PM Marcia Hahn was appointed Grand Esther. We were also honored with the appointment of PM Frances Sunderland as Maryland’s Grand Representative to the Supreme Grand Chapter of Scotland.
In the past few years, Pentalpha has been pleased to see several of its members awarded with appointments at the State level.
They include:
- Phyllis Johnston, PM - Grand Esther, Grand Chapter of Maryland, 2009-2010
- Addison Caracciolo, PP - Grand Representative from Maryland to the United Grand Chapter of Australia, 2008-2009
- Vickie Starr, PM - Grand Conductress, Grand Chapter of the District of Columbia, 2010-2011
- Rachael Sunderland, PM - Grand Representative from Maryland to Oregon, 2009-2011 and Deputy Grand Lecturer (Maryland), 2008 - Present