Indiana Fraternal Lodges

About Fraternal Organizations in Indiana

A deep look at the history, oldest lodges, membership process, and notable members of fraternal organizations across Indiana.

History of Fraternal Organizations in Indiana

Indiana's fraternal lodge culture has been deeply woven into the state's identity since the nineteenth century. Often called the Crossroads of America for the dense network of railroads and highways that converge on Indianapolis, Indiana has long been a state where civic engagement, neighborly bonds, and small-town belonging matter. Fraternal lodges have been the institutional expression of those values for more than 150 years. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows established lodges across Indiana in the early to mid-1800s, and IOOF lodges in towns from Evansville on the Ohio River to South Bend near the Michigan border served as some of the first formal community organizations in their communities.

The Masonic Grand Lodge of Indiana grew rapidly in the antebellum period, and Masonic temples remain landmarks in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, Terre Haute, and dozens of smaller communities. The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks chartered Indianapolis Lodge No. 13 in 1880, just twelve years after the order's founding in New York City, making it one of the earliest BPOE lodges in the United States. Fort Wayne Elks Lodge No.

155 followed in 1890. Other fraternal orders followed as Indiana's industrial economy grew. The Loyal Order of Moose, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and the Knights of Columbus established themselves in Indiana's larger communities, with Knights councils anchored at Catholic parishes serving the state's substantial Catholic population, particularly the descendants of German, Irish, Italian, Polish, and Hungarian immigrants who came to Indiana for steel work in Gary and East Chicago, automobile work in South Bend and Anderson, and other industrial employment across the state. The University of Notre Dame in South Bend and Saint Mary's College alongside it have made the South Bend area one of the most significant Catholic intellectual centers in the United States, and Knights of Columbus presence in northern Indiana is correspondingly strong.

The Hoosier State's mid-twentieth century saw significant expansion in fraternal lodges as veterans returned from the World Wars, manufacturing employment grew, and new lodge homes were built in nearly every community of size. The Indianapolis 500, the state's signature annual event, has long been entwined with Indiana fraternalism, with lodges hosting drivers, supporting motorsport charities, and welcoming visiting Elks and other members from around the world during May. Today Indiana's lodges remain a powerful force in charitable giving, scholarships, veterans support, and community service across the state's 92 counties.

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in Indiana

Indianapolis Elks Lodge No. 13, chartered in 1880, is one of the oldest BPOE lodges in the country and a foundational institution in Indiana fraternal history. The lodge has hosted generations of Indianapolis business leaders, civic figures, governors, and visiting Elks during Indianapolis 500 month and year-round. Lodge 13 has occupied multiple historic Indianapolis buildings over its long history.

Fort Wayne Elks Lodge No. 155, chartered in 1890, anchors northeast Indiana BPOE life and has served generations of Allen County residents. Across Indiana, BPOE lodges in Evansville, South Bend, Gary, Hammond, Lafayette, Bloomington, Terre Haute, Muncie, Anderson, Kokomo, Richmond, New Albany, Columbus, and dozens of smaller communities round out the Indiana State Elks Association. The state association coordinates the Hoop Shoot youth basketball competition, the Drug Awareness Program, scholarship awards, and the major project that supports Indiana children with special needs and disabilities.

Indiana Elks members log hundreds of thousands of volunteer hours annually, support Indiana veterans through partnerships with VA facilities including the Roudebush VA in Indianapolis, and run programs ranging from Christmas baskets to youth athletic sponsorships in communities large and small. Indianapolis Lodge 13 has been particularly active in supporting motorsport-related charities given its proximity to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Indiana State Elks Association is one of the more active state associations in the order and benefits from the state's generally civic-minded culture. Reciprocal-visit programs with neighboring lodges in Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, and Michigan keep Indiana lodges connected to the broader Midwestern Elks network.

Loyal Order of Moose in Indiana

The Loyal Order of Moose has a strong presence in Indiana, anchored by the proximity to Mooseheart, the order's child city and headquarters in Kane County, Illinois. Indiana Moose lodges in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Gary, South Bend, Evansville, Terre Haute, Muncie, Anderson, Kokomo, Lafayette, and dozens of smaller communities maintain particularly close connections to Mooseheart given the geographic proximity. Many Indiana Moose members have made multiple trips to Mooseheart over the years for service trips, conventions, and family events. The Indiana Moose Association coordinates state-level events, scholarship programs, and statewide fundraising drives.

Lodge programming includes Friday-night fish fries, Saturday dances, charity bingo, and family-night events. Women of the Moose chapters and Moose Legion bodies provide additional layers of social and charitable activity. The Indiana Moose Association has produced multiple Moose International officers and has hosted national-level events at lodges across the state.

Eagles, Knights of Columbus & Other Fraternal Orders in Indiana

The Fraternal Order of Eagles operates dozens of aeries across Indiana, with strong concentrations in the Calumet region around Gary and Hammond, the Indianapolis metro area, the Fort Wayne region, and the Evansville area. Indiana Eagles support the order's signature charities including diabetes research, kidney research, and the Jimmy Durante Children's Fund, and they raise additional money for local food banks and disaster relief. The Knights of Columbus operate one of the strongest state councils in the Midwest in Indiana, with hundreds of councils across the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and the dioceses of Lafayette-in-Indiana, Fort Wayne-South Bend, Evansville, and Gary. Flagship councils anchor parishes including SS.

Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Fort Wayne, the Cathedral of the Assumption in Evansville, and the Cathedral of the Holy Angels in Gary. The University of Notre Dame in South Bend has been an enormously influential institution in Knights of Columbus history, and Knights presence in northern Indiana is particularly strong. Indiana Knights are deeply involved in pro-life ministry, the Tootsie Roll campaign benefiting people with intellectual disabilities, Coats for Kids, food drives, seminarian support, and disaster relief. The Indiana State Council awards substantial scholarships annually and has been recognized at the Supreme Council level for charitable programming.

Fourth Degree color corps members provide honor guards at parish events, civic celebrations, and military funerals across the state.

Indiana Fraternal Lodges by the Numbers

Indiana is home to roughly 6.8 million residents and supports a robust fraternal lodge network. The Indiana State Elks Association includes roughly 100 active lodges. Indiana Moose lodges and chapters number well over one hundred. Eagles aeries number more than fifty.

Indiana's Knights of Columbus state council has more than 380 active councils, one of the larger counts in the Midwest. Lions Clubs International lists hundreds of Indiana clubs, with the state ranking among the top in Lions membership in the Midwest. Rotary and Kiwanis are active in nearly every Indiana community. Combined active membership across these orders runs into six figures.

Charitable giving from Indiana fraternal organizations totals millions of dollars annually, with major programs including Elks scholarships, Knights of Columbus disaster-relief grants, Moose support for Mooseheart and Moosehaven, and countless local programs. The state association calendars show thousands of fundraising events per year statewide.

How to Join a Fraternal Lodge in Indiana

Joining an Indiana fraternal lodge is straightforward and welcoming. Most Elks lodges accept U.S. citizens aged twenty-one and older who believe in God, with a current member as a sponsor. Initiation fees in Indiana typically run between fifty and two hundred dollars, with annual dues ranging from one hundred to two hundred fifty dollars.

Knights of Columbus membership is open to practicing Catholic men aged eighteen and older through online enrollment at kofc.org or in person at any parish council across Indiana's five Catholic dioceses. The Loyal Order of Moose welcomes adults aged twenty-one and older; many Indiana Moose members maintain particularly close ties to Mooseheart given the geographic proximity. Eagles, Lions, Rotary, and Kiwanis all maintain straightforward applications. Indiana lodges have embraced online dues payment, app-based event RSVPs, and active social media.

Indianapolis lodges have invested in younger-member outreach, particularly around Indianapolis 500 month and major civic events. New-member orientations are common across the state.

Notable Indiana Fraternal Members in History

Indiana's fraternal rolls have included a long list of notable figures. Multiple Indiana governors past and present have held Elks, Moose, or Knights of Columbus membership during their political careers. U.S. senators including longtime Indiana senators have addressed state fraternal conventions.

Indianapolis mayors and county executives across Indiana have been honored guests at lodge events. President Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd president, was an Indianapolis lawyer with extensive ties to the city's civic and fraternal scene during his political career. NFL Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy, who led the Indianapolis Colts to a Super Bowl championship, has been honored at Indiana fraternal events. NCAA basketball legends from Indiana University, Purdue, Notre Dame, and Butler have been frequent guests at hometown lodges, as have NASCAR and IndyCar drivers tied to the Indianapolis 500.

Country music stars from southern Indiana have performed at lodge benefits. Knights of Columbus members associated with the University of Notre Dame have made enormous contributions to American Catholic life. Less famous but no less important: hundreds of thousands of Indiana steelworkers, autoworkers, farmers, teachers, firefighters, police officers, ironworkers, and small-business owners whose lodge service shapes Indiana communities every day.

Frequently Asked Questions: Indiana Fraternal Lodges

Sources & Further Reading

• https://www.elks.org/lodges/
• https://www.mooseintl.org/
• https://www.foe.com/
• https://www.kofc.org/en/index.html
• https://www.indianakofc.org/
• https://www.lionsclubs.org/
• https://www.rotary.org/
• https://www.kiwanis.org/
• https://www.in.gov/history/