Griffin Chapter No. 16 OES ~ PHA
Historical Highlights
Summer of 1999, the Honorable Willie H, Griffin, 72nd Most Worshipful Grand Master of the
Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge was approached to consider the establishment of an
Order of the Eastern Star chapter. The study club involved individuals who were
interested in the project and regular meetings were held. The prominent theme of ea
ch
meeting was “Working Together with Commitment, Unity, and Trust.”
The founding members of the study club were from various Prince Hall Affiliation lodges and
OES chapters, and the International Free and Accepted Modern Masons-Order of the Eastern
Star affiliations. It was axiomatic that the new chapter members would exemplify and uplift high levels of the
concepts and precepts of the Order of the Eastern Star. By unanimous vote, the group selected
the name, Mattie Renè Griffin, in honor of the mother of the Most Worshipful Grand Master. Regretfully, Sister Mattie R. Griffin passed away in June 2002. She was a loyal and faithful
member of the Floral Star Chapter No. 137, O.E.S., P.H.A. in Orin, Alabama. On March 1, 2000, a dispensation to operate as a chapter was issued. Subsequently, as of June
24, 2000 almost 300 Sisters and Brothers received their degrees and obtained bona fide
membership in the Order of the Eastern Star. The presiding officers of the chapter under dispensation were:
Worthy Matron Worthy Patron
Edna J. Harvin Battle (March-June 2000) Thomas E. Brooks
GWM Rochelle V. Gipson (July-December 2000) Thomas E. Brooks
Mattie R. Griffin Chapter No. 16 received its charter on December 15, 2000 on the cusp of the
advent of the third millennium. The first elected presiding officers were Worthy Matron Marti
C. Griffin and Worthy Patron Thomas E. Brooks. They were 254 members on the roster in
November 2001. Griffin Chapter No. 16 has contributed resources to the Masonic Temple and
sponsored several community outreach projects. Hospice of DC,Camp Breathe DC, Warm Head Hot Hands, Webb and
Bruce Elementary school, J.B. Johnson Nursing Home, The Washington Nursing Home, William
E. Doer Public Charter School, YMCA, The American Diabetes Association, The Lupus
Association, GTGC Howard University Cancer Center, Hospital for Sick Children, Bright
Beginning, Masonic Classic Scholarship, the Margaret E. Anderson Howard University 5K Breast
Cancer walk, the Jurisdictional Scholarship Program, the Power of Pink (P.O.P.), and the Partners for Kids in Care.
