The roots of Odd Fellowship are believed to begin as far back as 587 B.C. in mutual relief groups such as guilds according to British Oddfellows. The oldest documentation of "Odd Fellows" was a mention of Aristarchus Lodge #9 in 1748.
Thomas Wildey brought the Odd Fellows to the United States in 1819 given the command to "Visit the sick, relieve the distress, bury the dead and educate the orphan." This is why you see Odd Fellows cemeteries and homes for orphans and the elderly and Odd Fellows helping communities.
The discovery of gold brought many to California, including several Odd Fellows, who formed California Lodge #1 preceding statehood by one year. Our Bay Rock Lodge #300 was established May 18, 1945.
Like helping others? You’ve come to the right place!
The doctor who wrote "An Essay on the Shaking Palsy" (Parkinson's Disease). A Samuel Collins glicee painting from 1789 bears his name alluding to his membership in an Odd Fellows Lodge in London. It was common for a lodge to have professionals like a lawyer or a surgeon.
According to British Oddfellows, the future king had encountered an Oddfellows meeting at the Feathers Pub in Pimlico and insisted on becoming a member and the Noble Grand (leader) of the lodge. He became a lifelong member. (The British say "Oddfellows" as one word.)
19th President of the United States and an abolitionist. He fought in the Civil War and was wounded. Historians claim that he restored faith in the presidency as he promised to not seek re-election and became a civil rights advocate.
18th President of the United States and Commanding General of the US Army (most senior soldier), served with distinction in the Mexican-American War and led the Army to victory during the Civil War. He also created the Department of Justice and implemented a gold standard.
The first American woman to graduate from dental school and practice as a dentist. She was denied admittance to dental school twice and moved to another state to practice where school was not required. When women were allowed to enroll, she graduated as a doctor in 1866.
25th President of the United States who led the country to victory in the 100-day Spanish-American war. He did not ask Congress to go to war but they decided to do so. Preferring negotiation, he said, "War should never be entered upon until every agency of peace has failed."
32nd President of the United States and leader in bringing about the Social Security Act he requested to be written and signed into law. Today Social Security provides the kinds of benefits that the Odd Fellows provided for years.
First Lady of the United States from 1933-1945 over the course of 4 terms. She also served as the U.S. Delegate to the U.N. General Assembly. President Truman called her "First Lady of the World" for her human rights work.
The Odd Fellows Lodge meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM.
When we meet, we welcome anyone who would like to attend to find out what we’re all about. Stop by and say hello. We like to think of ourselves as family and we would love to meet you.
Our dining hall is spacious and can hold up to 80 people. You can reach us at the following number or by email for more information:
The Morro Bay Odd Fellows jurisdiction falls under the California Grand Lodge which, in turn, falls under the national jurisdiction of the Sovereign Grand Lodge.
