I am an Odd Fellow.
I believe in the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of man.
I believe in Friendship, Love, and Truth as basic guides to the ultimate destiny of all mankind.
I believe my home, my church or temple, my lodge, and my community deserve my best work, my modest pride, my earnest faith, and my deepest loyalty as I perform my duty "to visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead, and educate the orphan" and as I work with others to build a better world, because, in spirit and in truth, I am, and must always be, grateful to my Creator, faithful to my Country, and fraternal to my fellow man.
I AM AN ODD FELLOW!
27 Lodges throughout the Commonwealth
(over 10,000 lodges in 30 countries)
Over 400 Members in Virginia
(over 600,000 worldwide)
$15,000 charitable and benevolent contributions in 2025 so far!
A Little History
The Odd Fellows' journey in Virginia began on May 4th, 1833 with the founding of Virginia Lodge #1 in Harpers Ferry. Initially, there was no Grand Lodge of Virginia, this lodge, and the others in the state, operated under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the United States (now known as the Sovereign Grand Lodge) for its first few years. On May 17th, 1837, the Grand Lodge of Virginia was officially established to oversee all lodges within the state's jurisdiction. Following West Virginia's statehood in 1863, Virginia Lodge #1, along with several other lodges, came under the jurisdiction of the new Grand Lodge of West Virginia but chose to retain their names. Virginia Lodge #1 is still active to this day. Since 1833, more than 700 Odd Fellow Lodges have been established in Virginia. As August 2025, Virginia boasts 25 Odd Fellow lodges, 8 Rebekah lodges, 4 Encampments, and 4 Cantons.
Our Mission
As an organization, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows aims to provide a framework that promotes personal and social development. Lodge degrees and activities aim to improve and elevate every person to a higher, nobler plane; to extend sympathy and aid to those in need, making their burdens lighter, relieving the darkness of despair; to war against vice in every form, and to be a great moral power and influence for the good of humanity.
For members, the degrees in Odd Fellowship emphasizes a leaving of the old life and the start of a better one, of welcoming travelers, and of helping those in need.
We are commanded to” visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead and educate the orphan.” Specifically, Odd Fellows today are dedicated to the following purposes:
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To improve and elevate the character of mankind by promoting the principles of friendship, love, truth, faith, hope, charity and universal justice.
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To help make the world a better place to live by aiding each other, the community, the less fortunate, the youth, the elderly, the environment and the community in every way possible.
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To promote good will and harmony amongst peoples and nations through the principle of universal fraternity, holding the belief that all men and women regardless of race, nationality, religion, social status, gender, rank and station are brothers and sisters.
Projects of the Order
The great thing about the Odd Fellows is that our lodges have the below listed causes to contribute their time, efforts, and funds to, but they also have the freedom to support local causes and causes that more directly affect the community they are in!
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SOS Children's Village​​
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Mental Health Awareness Walks​
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*Check back frequently as we add more content and information!
Membership Requirments
Any person, at least 16 years of age, of good character, loyal to their country, and believes in a Supreme Being, is eligible for membership in Virginia.
Odd Fellowship strictly forbids any interference with one’s religious beliefs or political opinions; therefore, forbids such discussions in Lodge.
In Virginia, the initiation (or application) fee is $25. Annual Dues are set by the individual lodges.
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