The Amaranth Grand Chapter of Ohio had very humble beginnings. It is hardly recognizable as the well organized Amaranth Grand Chapter of today.
In 1878 there were three chapters organized, by the authority of the Illustrious Robert McCoy, Supreme Grand Patron of New York and its Jurisdiction. Those chapters were Golden Star No. 1 (Springfield, OH), Eastern Star No. 2 (Xenia, OH), and Esther Chapter No. 3 (Columbus, OH). In these three cities a firm hold was taken. Being called imposters and useless, the Chapters began to work at once to find their Masonic Heritage. Illustrious Robert McCoy, was located and he issued legal Charters to those three Chapters. McCoy would then deputize Brother E. L. Eslick of Springfield, OH to serve as Deputy Grand Patron to serve these three chapters in this same year.
In 1879 Brother Enslick moved west, but prior to his departure, he recommended that Brother John Wilborn of Golden Star Chapter No. 1 be appointed to succeed him a Deputy Grand Patron of Ohio.. This recommendation was accepted by Robert McCoy and Brother J. W. Wilbron was so appointed as the second Deputy Grand Patron of Ohio. During these years the three Chapters of Ohio reported through the Deputies to Brother McCoy of their work. McCoy would make a third Deputy Grand Patron, Brother J. J. Sparrow, and it was by the aid of his work that eight more chapters were organized. As a representative of Ohio, Brother Sparrow was sent to the meeting of the Tennessee Grand Chapter, Order of Eastern Star, at which he was made District Grand Patron for Ohio.
With an increasing membership and Chapters by 1881, the Chapters of Ohio decided to petition the Illustrious Robert McCoy for permission to withdraw from the Tennessee Grand Chapter Jurisdiction to organize their own Grand Chapter. McCoy would grant them that right, and on August 3rd, 1887 those Chapters of would meet in Gallipolis, Ohio with District Grand Patron Sparrow in the East to organized a Grand Chapter Order of the Eastern Star of Ohio. On this historic day, there were twenty-eight representatives present from Springfield, Xenia, Columbus, Chillicothe, Gallipolis, London, Ironton and Newark. The next Grand Session was held in Gallipolis on July 25th 1988 with Electa Star Chapter No. 16 as the hostess.
The following officers were Elected at the August 3rd Inception:
Grand Patron – J. J. Sparrow (Columbus)
Deputy Grand Patron – George Shaffer (St. Louis, MO)
Grand Matron – M. A. Mozee (Xenia)
Grand Associate Matron – Marie Vaughn (Chillicothe)
Grand Secretary – E. D. Webster (Gallipolis)
Grand Treasurer – M. E. Gregory (Springfield)
Conductress – R. A. Alexander (Newark)
Associate Conductress – Susie Cane (London)
Adah – N. Lucas (Xenia)
Ruth – A. Henson (Columbus)
Esther – M. W. Spencer (Columbus)
Martha – M. Buchner (Columbus)
Electa – M. Dickerson (Springfield)
Warder – Frankie Lane (Colubmus)
Sentinel – A. Christy (Gallipolis)
Organist – B. Crowley (Ironton)
Between 1878 to 1887 many Prince Hall Eastern Star Chapters were organized in Ohio. They were Ruth (Newark, OH); Sparrow (London, OH); St. Elizabeth (Chillicothe, OH); Electa Star (Gallipolis, OH), Clinton (Wilmington, OH), Deborah (Dayton, OH); Elizabeth (Ironton, OH); Sheba (Portsmouth, OH); and Adah (Washington Courthouse, OH). In similar fashion of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Ohio, the Grand Chapter (eighth oldest Prince Hall Grand Chapter) would prove to be the Mother and Grand Mother of Grand Chapters beyond their own state. Between 1890 and 1894, chapters were established in Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Missouri.
During the 30th Annual Session held in Toledo, Ohio in 1917 from August 29th thru the 30th, a communication was read from Deborah Grand Chapter of Pennsylvania, asking the Ohio Grand Chapter to waive jurisdiction over Chapters of Pennsylvania in Ohio. Deborah Grand Chapter had officially organized on July 17th of 1916, but had long been considered by the Grand Chapter of Ohio to be bogus and not legally constituted. Therefore Ohio had refused to recognized and affiliate with Chapters formed in Pennsylvania until the Chapters in that Jurisdiction were legally constituted.
Pennsylvania decided to dissolve the Chapters in their Jurisdiction to clarify the objections raised by Ohio, and since Ohio had organized four Chapters in Pennsylvania. The Chapters in Pennsylvania that were not of the Ohio Jurisdiction transferred to the New Jersey Grand Chapter, and New Jersey would issue new Charters to the Chapters in Pennsylvania – thusly making them legally constituted Chapters. Deborah Grand Chapter of Pennsylvania now reorganized, once again petitioned Ohio to waive jurisdiction over the four Chapters situated in their state. Ohio released the Chapters, being assured that Pennsylvania Jurisdiction would grant them all the rights belonging to subordinate Chapters, also bestowing on the officers and members all rights, honors and privileges they possessed in the jurisdiction of Ohio.
During the 35th Annual Session of 1922 convened in Oberlin, Ohio, it was recommended and accepted that the Grand Chapter of Ohio and its jurisdiction would work in the Amaranth Degree. Prior to this resolution the Chapters of Ohio worked in the Eastern Star Degree. Also, a Grand Matrons and Grand Patrons Council was organized to meet annually at the same time and place of the Grand Chapter to study and plan to unify the work of the Chapters.
On December 4th 1925, incorporation papers were filed with Thad H. Brown, Secretary of State and the name of Grand Chapter of Ohio was changed to Amaranth Grand Chapter, O.E.S. of Ohio and its Jurisdiction.
During the 66th Annual Session of 1953 held at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, the Resolutions Committee approved the resolution that the Grand Chapter would go back to working in the Eastern Star Degree. A committee was appointed to study and revise the Chapter work to conform with the work of the Eastern Star Degree. The resolution was approve and adopted on August 15th 1954 to work in the Eastern Star Degree. The name was again changed to Amaranth Grand Chapter Order of the Eastern Star, P.H.A., State of Ohio and its Jurisdiction.
At one time the Amaranth Grand Chapter owned one nursing home in Newark, Ohio and jointly owned another one with the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Ohio in Urbana, Ohio.
In the early years, most Grand Matrons served many years. In 1953 it was recommended and approved, that Grand Worthy Matrons and Grand Worthy Patrons could serve only two years.
The Amaranth Grand Chapter of Ohio continues to grow and refine itself as one of the finest Jurisdictions in the World. It is today composed of 55 Chapters and over three thousand members.