This organization was founded in 1950 by Dr. William Venoid Banks. We are one of the oldest interconnected Religious Fraternal Orders  with operations throughout the Unites States, Bahamas, and Africa. The President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is Illustrious Kenneth L. Hollowell, 33°. More information about International Masons may be found here.

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The Pernella Tubbs Supreme Grand Chapter is the governing body of the state chapters of the Order of the Eastern Star (OES) within International Masons. The purpose of the OES is to provide a female companion Chapter to cooperate with the Lodge of Free Masons, since women cannot join the Masonic Lodge. The mission of OES is to provide an organization where spiritual women with high moral and social character can contribute time, energy and wisdom towards charity, truth and loving kindness. The principles of OES are personified by five stories of women taken from the Holy Bible (Adah, Ruth, Esther, Martha and Electa). The principles are centered on fidelity, obedience, loyalty, truth, and heroic endurance. These principles are five in number, representing the five degrees. Some of the most significant values of the OES are that of education, community service, and charitable work. It is important for members of the OES to contribute to improving the quality of life for those less fortunate, hungry or needing support and assistance. The Supreme Grand Matron of this chapter is Sister Monique C. Walton. More information about the Pernella Tubbs Supreme Grand Chapter may be found here.

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The Noble Rose Christine W. Hayes Grand Chapter is the Florida Grand Chapter of International Masons and Order of The Eastern Star, which operates under The Pernella Tubbs Supreme Grand Chapter. This grand chapter serves as the governing body of the local OES chapters in Florida.

 

The History of the Florida Grand Chapter of International Masons and Order of The Eastern Star 

 

During the early beginnings, Florida was governed by a Joint Council led by Brother Thomas as President from 1953 throughout 1954. In 1955, in the city of Tampa, the Craft of various lodges and chapters met for the purpose of setting up a Grand Lodge. Lady Mabel Gordan was elected as Grand Matron and Bishop R. F. Coleman was elected as Grand Master. This pair worked well together until Bishop R. F. Coleman passed. In 1958 the Grand Lodge elected Brother I. A. Banks as the next Grand Master of the Grand Lodge and Lady Mabel  Gordon was re-elected as the Grand Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star.

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From these humble beginnings, International Free and Accepted Modern Masons, Inc. and Order of the Eastern Star flourished in the state of Florida. A few early representative cities in which the organization had more than a mere strongh0ld were Miami, Tampa, West Palm Beach, Dania, Naples, Perrine, Lake Worth, Fort Meyers, Homestead, Belle Glade, Brooksville, LaCoochee, Marathon, Riviera Beach, and Florenceville. The organization is now recognized and represented in many more cities in the state of Florida and is continuing to grow and expand.

 

To date, the Florida Grand Chapter has had seven Grand Matrons

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1955 - 1957              Lady Mabel Gordon

1957 - 1974              Sister Mary Arline

1974 - 1978              Sister Pinkie McDonald

1978 - 1983              Sister Fannie Simmons

1983 - 2017              Sister Christine Hayes

2017 - 2021              Sister Peachie Tresvant

2021 to Current       Sister Khandia Smith

 

Sister Christine Hayes made International Masons history by being the longest seated Grand Matron for a state, being in position for 34 years. After this, term limits were instituted in which a Grand Leader could only serve 4 consecutive 1-year terms. Sister Peachie Tresvant and Sister Khandia Smith made International Masons history as well by being the first mother-daughter succession for the Grand Matron position in the organization. Sister Khandia Smith also made history for being the youngest Grand Matron elected to office in Florida.

 

The Florida Grand Chapter was originally named Ruby Allen Grand Chapter. In 1973, the state chapter received its charter and the name was changed to Mary McLeod Bethune Grand Chapter. In March 2009, a revised charter to change the name again was petitioned by Sister Peachie Tresvant and granted by Illustrious George Matthews, 33°, who was the organization’s President at that time. This revised charter changed the name to what it is now, Noble Rose Christine W. Hayes Grand Chapter, honoring Sister Christine Hayes for her many years of service as Grand Matron of the state of Florida.

 

Evening Light #2 is the Mother Chapter of the Noble Rose Christine W. Hayes Grand Chapter.

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