History – The Grand Chapter of Connecticut, Order of the Eastern Star, Inc.

Women have played an important role in not only the Order of the Eastern Star in Connecticut, but also in the state itself. Here’s a salute to some of our founders and contributors in the past 150 years.

Connecticut’s Grand Chapter was chartered in 1874. , with Addie C.S. Bario Engle, pictured, as our second Grand Matron who served for three years, from 1875-1878.

Ida A Fisk, Grand Matron 1896-97 was an early supporter, influencer and frequent visitor to the Masonic Home and Hospital in Wallingford. The property was opened and dedicated in 1895.

Ellie Lines Chapin, pictured here, was the first Connecticut member to become Most Worthy Grand Matron (1919-22). Ellie was the daughter of H Wales Lines, a Master Mason, Scottish Rite member, and in the construction business. He built the Masonic Home in Wallingford mentioned above. Ellie served as Worthy Grand Matron from 1905-1907. She was very active in her chapter and community, serving on the Red Cross during WWI and WWII. She played the organ and taught Sunday School for 20 years. During her tenure, OES in Connecticut would see the growth of many new chapters.

In 1936-37, Ruth A Jones served as our Worthy Grand Matron, and is credited with many firsts, including publishing consolidated rules and regulations, and a book of instruction, that are now our “Blue Book”. Sister Ruth would go on to be elected as Right Worthy Grand Trustee in 1943 and would be elected as Most Worthy Grand Matron for the 1952-55 triennial. During this period, OES in Connecticut would see it’s peak of 22,000 members in 103 active chapters. It was also during this period that the ESTARL religious education fund, an idea sponsored and promoted by Ruth, was adopted across many Grand Jurisdictions.

Our most recent Worthy Grand Matron to become Most Worthy Grand Matron of General Grand Chapter was sister Virginia M Painter, who served as Worthy Grand Matron of Connecticut in 1964-65, and as Most Worthy Grand Matron in 1991-1994.

Our history would be incomplete without acknowledging the work of sister Ruth E Raines, who collected and recorded so much of our history for our centennial in 1974. Her book “OES in Connecticut” is a wonderful read and was very helpful in pulling this page together.

Our leaders have continued to guide us during the recent Pandemic. Here’s a selection of photos of some of our recent Worthy Grand Matrons and Worthy Grand Patrons.