Odd Fellowship is a worldwide fraternity using the emblem of three links and a motto - 'Friendship, Love and Truth'. The Order was brought to this continent on April 16, 1819 by five British Odd Fellows, led by Thomas Wildey. It is the oldest fraternal organization and was the first Fraternal Order to provide for a Ladies organization. Scheyler Colfax, later to become vice president of the United States of America, is the author of the Rebekah Degree, which was founded in 1851.
Alexandria Rebekah Lodge No. 14 was chartered in Weyburn on June 4, 1913 by the officers of Ruth Rebekah Lodge No. 9 of Yellow Grass. Charter members were A.B. Tincher, Mrs. R.M. Sutherland, Miss Maud Frances, C.A. Morrison and W.J. Bullis (grandfather of Sister Isabelle Butters). It was obvious from the minutes of that meeting that the Degree Team from Yellow Grass stayed in Weyburn overnight, as there is a motion to pay their hotel expenses. The Lodge also paid the railway fare of the visiting Degree Team. The first Noble Grand of the Lodge was Mrs. A.B. Tincher. The second and fourth Tuesdays were chosen from the beginning as the meeting nights and that is still the practice 100 years later.
Several meeting halls were used by the Odd Fellows and Rebekahs - Tucker Hall, the Weyburn Herald printing office, the Fraternal building and Cleland's Hall. On November 5, 1923, the Odd Fellows Hall, located at 122 Fourth Street, was dedicated and was maintained by the Odd Fellows of Weyburn Lodge No. 12. Then, it was maintained jointly with the Rebekahs, and eventually by the Rebekahs until being sold on October 15, 2004. This sale dramatically changed the life of the Rebekahs, as many hours were spent in serving banquets as well as numerous fund raising and social events, which always involved food.
The group hosted a masquerade ball, weekly dances, spring teas, fowl suppers, Irish stew suppers, arthritis breakfasts, bingo nights, Nellie's crib tournaments, public installation of officers, district meetings, garage sales, veteran Jewel nights and teas and ambliopia clinics. That was just at the hall. The rest of the work included a booth at the annual fair, operating a booth at the rink each winter, serving tea in the homes of the Rebekahs following funeral services, hosting the world's largest fowl supper and making pies in Rebekah homes, for sale.
History indicates that in 1918 a barn dance was held, which netted $11.50. In 1919 the Post Office box rent was $1.00 for six months and in 1927 a bill was paid for one gallon of coal oil for 35 cents.
Alexandria has been part of Nellie Wilkinson District No. 7 with Colgate, Radville and Francis. Rebekah District No. 12 has been with Milestone, Rouleau and Ogema. District No. 6 has been with Kisbey, Stoughton, Arcola, Fillmore and Regina and is now in a District with just Alexandria.
The Rebekah Assembly of Saskatchewan was chartered in 1913 and five Alexandria members have served as President of that Grand Body -Frances Kalman (1944-45), Vivian Cottingham (1971-72), Melvina Johnston (1979-80), Isabelle Butters (1986-87) and Avis Gosling (1998-99). For the first time in 100 years, Alexandria has this year an installed officer in the International Association of Rebekah Assemblies, in the name of Isabelle Butters.
Odd Fellowship in this community has a great heritage with thousands of dollars expended for relief of distressed, educating an orphaned family, caring for the sick, assisting the needy and aiding the widows. Visits are made to the hospital, nursing homes and private homes.
Current membership of Alexandria Lodge is 67 members. The oldest living member is 99 years old and has been a Rebekah for 70 years.
