News and Events

January 18, 2010

NORTH CAROLINA LODGES BELIEVE THEY ARE FIRST

         On January 15, 2010 the small city of Cherryville, North Carolina formed a new Pythian Lodge chartered under the name of Randy Huffman Memorial Lodge #263. The city of Cherryville has a population of less than 6,000 which leads the city to believe it is the smallest city in the supreme domain to contain two lodges. The other Pythian Lodge located in Cherryville is chartered under the name of Robert C. "Toad" Hayes Memorial Lodge #174 and boasts a membership of over 60 knights.
         The 13 new members of the Randy Huffman Memorial Lodge #263 were initiated at the Robert C. "Toad" Hayes Memorial Lodge #174 by the rank team of Past Grand Chancellor H.L. Beam III who was also appointed Grand Deputy by Grand Chancellor Lynn Gilfus with the aid of Grand Secretary Lee Parris, Past Grand Chancellor Butch Gantt, and Past Chancellor Commander Andy Hartman. Many of the members of Robert C. "Toad" Hayes Memorial Lodge #174 were also present to aid in this rank work.
          Immediately following the initiation, all new officers of Randy Huffman Memorial Lodge #263 were installed by Past Grand Chancellor and Grand Deputy H.L. Beam III. The ceremonies were performed without a flaw and all new members expressed their desire to take an active part in this new lodge.
         The second first that Cherryville believes it can claim si the fact that three generations from one family were present to be initiated into the new lodge. Their names were Kelly Franklin Lingerfelt (Grandfather), Eric Kelly Lingerfelt (Son), and Joshua Kelly Lingerfelt (Grandson).
         You might think this new lodge was formed out of dissension from the two lodges, but nothing could be further from the truth. Newly installed Chancellor Commander Mark Hoyle of the Robert C. "Toad" Hayes Memorial Lodge expressed his wishes for the success of the new lodge and welcomes the competition it will bring between the two lodges. Chancellor Commander Christopher Parris of Randy Huffman Memorial Lodge expressed similar wishes and hopes the two lodges can even work together on some future projects. Several members of the older lodge have even decided to hold dual membership in both lodges as an expression of support for the new lodge.
         While our order seems to be declining in membership throughout the domain, we are especially proud to announce this event and challenge all lodges within our domain to make an extra effort in the coming year to increase their membership on the local level in order to strengthen our order throughout the domain.
         Both lodges of Cherryville are excited about the coming year and are eager to make this year one of the best for the state of North Carolina as well as the Supreme Order Knights of Pythias.
C. Lee Parris - Grand Secretary Domain of North Carolina

Pictures of the event are below

H.L. Beam III during the initiation ceremony for the new Randy Huffman Memorial Lodge #263

14 total new members: 13 new members of Randy Huffman Memorial Lodge #263 and 1 new member of Robert C. "Toad" Hayes Memorial Lodge #174

Newly installed officers of Randy Huffman Memorial Lodge #263 from right to left in order of rank: Chancellor Commander - Christopher Parris, Vice Chancellor - Phil Gee, Prelate - Eric Lingerfelt, Master of Works - Garren Beam, Secretary - Edwin Homesley, Financial Secretary/Treasurer - Lee Parris, Master at Arms - Ken Adams, Inner Guard - Henry Phillips Gee III, Outer Guard - Matthew Raines

October 15, 2009

Toad Hayes Memorial Lodge #174 Representative Andy Hartman and Eagle Scout Kendall Judge
(click image for larger view)

Kendall Judge achieved the honor of Eagle Scout this past July at his Court of Honor in Lawndale, NC. Andy Hartman filled the request to represent the Toad Hayes Memorial Lodge of Cherryville and present Kendall with a Knights of Pythias Certificate of Achievement Award along with a patch to recognized Kendall's accomplishments. The Knights of Pythias Grand Lodge of North Carolina would like to congratulate Kendall Judge and give thanks to Andy Hartman. Click on the link below to read more about this event.

Kendall Judge Press Release

September 19, 2009

Supreme Chancellor Dan Cowan with Rathbone Bible
(click image for larger view)

Our founder, Justin H. Rathbone, received a small Bible from his mother in the 1840's. On February 19, 1864, the first small group of members joining the Knights of Pythias Order took their vows of the new order by placing their hands upon the small pocket Bible that was opened to the 23rd Psalm. This Bible is our organization's prized possession and is regarded as a treasured relic of our order. Thousands of members over the years have participated in what was known as "Rathbone Bible Class" in which this original Bible was used to take their vows to our order.
The Grand Lodge Knights of Pythias the Domain of North Carolina had the rare opportunity via our own Supreme Chancellor Dan Cowan to participate in the reaffirm obligation to the Pythian Order at the NC Grand Lodge Convention on September 19, 2009. All members of the Grand Lodge did in fact all reaffirm their vows. This Bible is know to be the oldest Bible in existence which is continually used to be used for affirm new members taken vows to the order.