Minneapolis and St. Paul Masonic Home and Patriotic Units

(submitted at the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary in March, 1943)

In the year of 1917, at the time that President Wilson issued his Proclamation that America join the Allied Forces in the World War, our boys were called to immediate service.  The Mothers, Sweethearts, Sisters and Wives of these boys and men realized there would be many things necessary and needed for their equipment to make them comfortable and little groups of women were banded together for this purpose. The question then arose whether they should work with the Red Cross or form an organization of their own.  This subject came up before Grand Chapter, O.E.S., which was then in session in St. Paul. Brother John Q. Mackintosh, P.G.P., offered the following resolution:

Resolution:  "Be it resolved:  That the incoming Worthy Grand Matron appoint not less than seven members of the Order to be known as "Eastern Star Patriotic League" to act as an executive committee in the furtherance of the work."

This resolution being adopted, the Worthy Grand Matron appointed Sister Hattie Madsen, a Past Matron, as Chairman of the Committee, she to choose the other Matrons.  She chose five Matrons of St. Paul Chapters and eight Matrons of the Minneapolis Chapters.  The first meeting was held at the Masonic Temple in St. Paul, at which a set of By-Laws was drafted and a President, Secretary and Treasurer were elected.

After several meetings, which were held in St. Paul, Sister Madsen came over to Minneapolis and organized the Minneapolis Unit at Cateract Temple.  Sister Fannie Padgham, who was Worthy Matron of Harmony Chapter, was elected President, a position which she held for three years.  Sister Maude Bester was elected Secretary.  Cataract Lodge tendered the use of their dining room for the meetings and work.

After the signing of the Armistice, it was found there was even a greater need of assistance to our Boys and their families, as many were returning broken in health and unable to work, and it seemed advisable to continue the work.

At the next meeting of the Grand Chapter, O.E.S., the following article was made a part of the Constitution:  "A committee of seven to be known as the "Eastern Star Patriotic Committee" which will have charge of an further the relief and comfort of our Soldiers and Sailors and their Families, in this present war for Liberty, and welfare after the war is over, and make a report of their work at each annual session of the Grand Chapter."

After the signing of the Armistice, we found ourselves without a home in which to work.  Sister Marie Altachwager, a Past Matron of Minneapolis No. 9, then President of the Unit, opened her home and we moved over there where we worked all of the following summer.  This fact coming to the notice of Brother Walker, manager of the Masonic Temple, gave us the use of the Knights Templar dressing room for our meetings and work.  We moved to the Masonic Temple in the fall of 1919, and have held meetings there ever since.

As previously stated, interest in the organization became less, and we were soon without funds to purchase material for work.  Many of the Chapters refused to donate money, send a representative or to serve lunch.  Only through the efforts and loyalty of Sister Altachwager, our President, the office of which she held for eight years, and seven other loyal members were we able to keep the organization going.

At this time, the Masons had completed the purchasing of the property now known as the Masonic Home.  The matter of furnishing was a great problem to the Board of Directors.  Our little Unit offered to do any work in the form of sewing, etc., that would be needed.  Brother Burr T. Catlin, Worthy Grand Patron of the O.E.S. at the time was invited to meet with us and see the work we were doing.  He did so and was impressed with the work and the thought of having an organized body of ladies that could be called upon at any time if needed.

At the next meeting of the Grand Chapter, Brother Catlin presented the matter so forcibly; the Worthy Grand Matron and other Officers became interested to the extent that the Worthy Grand Matron insisted that again the Chapter appoint representatives and aid in building up the organization.  At this meeting it was voted to change the name from "The Patriotic Unit" to "The Patriotic and Masonic Home Unit", by which it is known at the present time.

The Chapters responded willingly to the request of the Worthy Grand Matron.  From that time the organization has become a useful and helpful organization."

Minneapolis Masonic Home and Patriotic Unit

The Minneapolis Masonic Home and Patriotic Unit began in 1917 and provided services to bring comfort to World War I servicemen and their families.  Their purpose evolved with the changing needs of the community such as making lap robes and bibs for the Care Center at the Minnesota Masonic Homes.  Each year the proceeds from their Card Party are used to purchase some item or equipment for the Homes.  They also saw the need to provide specialized items for people who have cancer.  The Unit makes lap robes, Cathi Caps, and slippers for the Masonic Cancer Center.  They also make wheelchair and walker bags for residents at our two Masonic Homes.  And, they make surgical dolls and gowns that are donated to Fairview Hospital for the Children's Units as well as 'preemie' hats and booties that are donated to North Memorial Neo-Natal ICU.

Yearly the Unit makes arount 300 lap robes; 70 Cathi Caps; over 300 Preemie Caps/Booties; 220 surgical dolls and around 200 surgical doll gowns!

They are funded by asking each Chapter in Minneapolis and the Minneapolis suburbs for a $20.00 donation to help to cover the cost of quilt batting, and other materials

The Unit gratefully accepts donations of material, batting, yarn, or money.  If you would like to donate, please contact Josie Holman, Secretary, or Karen Miller, President, CONTACT.

The Minneapolis Masonic Home and Patriotic Unit meets as follows:

• Months: January through June; September through December
• Day: Normally scheduled for the 4th Thursday
• Where: St.Louis Park Masonic Center at 6509 Walker Street, St. Louis Park      Map it
• Time: Work begins around 10:00 a.m. and ends around 12:00 Noon  
• We have a brief business meeting followed by lunch.
• Membership: Open to all members of Eastern Star regardless of where your Chapter is located.  Guests are always welcome!

St. Paul Masonic Home and Patriotic Unit

The St. Paul Patriotic Unit began in 1917 to provide services to and to bring comfort to World War I servicemen and their families.  Currently, the unit is comprised of members of the St. Paul Chapters:  White Bear #200, St. Anthony Park #212, Electa #11, Queen Esther #26, Oriental #187 and Rainbow #127. 

Their purpose has evolved with the changing needs of the community.  They first began providing folded bandages for the soldiers during World War I and World War II.  In the early 1950's they began making cancer pads for Our Lady of Good Council Hospice in St. Paul.  It was a not for profit hospice that welcomed anyone and did not ask them to pay.  The Patriotic Unit used sheets that were donated by members of OES or friends and neighbors; cut them to the specified size, placed an absorbent padding between the layers and hand sewed them together.  Many of the members took them home to complete between meetings.  They sewed around 50 pads per month.  They also collected used towels and washcloths for Our Lady of Good Council Hospice. The towels were torn into different sizes and used to bath and dry the patients.  As they wore, they were used for other, non-patient related tasks.  This continued until the beginning of 2009 when the hospice was taken over by another concern and they no longer required our cancer pads.  The Unit ultimately produced over 30,000 cancer pads over a nearly 60 year period!

They now make lap robes for the Masonic Cancer Center Auxiliary as well as small, lightly stuffed pillows for the residents and patients at the Bloomington and NorthRidge Masonic Homes. 

They collect used stamps and pop can tabs.  As an example, the stamps are donated to the VFW.  The proceeds earned from these stamps fund scholarships that are open to students who major in Nursing.  Ginny Vandervest, PGM was a recipient of one of the scholarships!  The pop can tabs are given to the Jobs Daughters to be used for their charitable endeavors.

They always look for new members to sew and we have tasks available for every skill level. 

Donations of cotton, fleece or flannel material to be used for our lap robes as well as batting and yarn as well as stamps (must have at least ¼ inch around all sides of the stamp) and/or pop tabs are gratefully accepted and much appreciated!

The St. Paul Patriotic Unit meets as follows:

• Day:  Second Monday of each month.
• Months:  March-December.  They do not meet in January or February
• Where:  Roseville Masonic Center, 1321 W. County Road B2, Roseville     Map It
• Time:  9:00 a.m. - 12:30 a.m.  They sew, hold a short meeting and eat lunch.
• Membership:  Open to any OES Member.  Visitors and guests are always welcome!
• President:  Ginny Vandervest     CONTACT