Virginia - Grand Lodge of Virginia

The Odd Fellows began their journey in Virginia on May 4th, 1833 with the establishment of Virginia Lodge #1 in Harpers Ferry, Virginia. At that time there was not a Grand Lodge of Virginia yet, so this lodge was under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the United States (now referred to as the Sovereign Grand Lodge) for the first few years.

On May 17th, 1837, the Grand Lodge of Virginia was formally established and took jurisdiction over all lodges within Virginia. In 1863, when West Virginia became the 35th state, Virginia Lodge #1 and some others fell under the jurisdiction of the new Grand Lodge of West Virginia. The Lodge voted to keep its name and is still active today!

Over the course of the 188 years of Odd Fellowship in Virginia, there have been 425 Odd Fellow Lodges instituted. As of January 2021, there are 30 Odd Fellows lodges, 16 Rebekah lodges, 7 Encampments, 5 Cantons, and 2 LAPM Auxiliaries in Virginia.

The Grand Lodge of Virginia is the governing body for the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Virginia. The Grand Lodge oversees the local lodges within its jurisdiction, ensuring they adhere to the principles and regulations of the IOOF. Don't hesitate to contact us if you are trying to find a lodge in Virginia or have questions about becoming a member.