Pennsylvania Fraternal Lodges

About Fraternal Organizations in Pennsylvania

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

History of Fraternal Organizations in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania occupies a singular place in American fraternal history, with deeper and more varied lodge roots than almost any other state. From the founding generation of American freemasonry through the explosive growth of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in the 1800s, the steel-belt rise of the Loyal Order of Moose and Fraternal Order of Eagles, and the Catholic immigrant communities that powered the Knights of Columbus, the Keystone State has been a workshop for nearly every major American fraternal movement. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while founded in Baltimore, Maryland in 1819 by Thomas Wildey, expanded with extraordinary speed into Pennsylvania, and Pennsylvania became one of the order's most populous and influential jurisdictions. By the late 1800s the IOOF was the largest fraternal organization in America, and Pennsylvania accounted for hundreds of thousands of those members across mining, manufacturing, and farming communities from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh and into the anthracite valleys of Scranton and Wilkes-Barre.

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks established Philadelphia Lodge No. 2 in 1871, making it the second-oldest BPOE lodge in the United States, chartered just three years after New York's founding lodge. Pittsburgh Lodge No. 11 followed in 1882, and Pennsylvania quickly became one of the most influential Elks states.

The Loyal Order of Moose flourished in the steel and coal communities thanks largely to the leadership of James J. Davis, who reorganized the order from a small fraternal group into a national institution from his Pittsburgh base in the early 1900s. The Fraternal Order of Eagles also grew rapidly across Pennsylvania's industrial cities, and the Knights of Columbus expanded with the state's enormous Catholic population among Irish, Italian, Polish, Slovak, German, and Eastern European immigrant communities. Service clubs reinforced the picture, with Philadelphia and Pittsburgh Rotary clubs ranking among the largest and most influential in the world.

Today Pennsylvania remains one of the most fraternally active states in America, with thousands of active lodges, councils, aeries, and clubs serving as community anchors from the rural valleys to the metropolitan centers.

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania holds an extraordinary place in Elks history: Philadelphia Lodge No. 2, chartered in 1871, is the second-oldest Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks lodge in the United States, ranking only behind New York City Lodge No. 1 (chartered 1868). Philadelphia 2 grew out of the city's vibrant theatrical and journalistic communities, who had close ties to the New York actors who founded the original Jolly Corks club that became the BPOE.

Philadelphia 2 has occupied multiple landmark buildings, hosted numerous Grand Lodge gatherings, and produced several Grand Exalted Rulers. Its position as the second-oldest Elks lodge gives it permanent ceremonial standing in the order. Pittsburgh Lodge No. 11, chartered in 1882, became the flagship Elks lodge of western Pennsylvania and at its mid-twentieth-century peak counted thousands of members drawn from steel mills, banks, law firms, and the city's powerful political establishment.

Other historically significant Pennsylvania Elks lodges include Scranton 123, Wilkes-Barre 109, Reading 115, Erie 67, Allentown 130, Harrisburg 12, Lancaster 134, Williamsport 173, Altoona 102, Johnstown 175, York 213, and Easton 121. The Pennsylvania State Elks Association is one of the largest and most charitably active in the nation, distributing substantial scholarship dollars annually through the Elks National Foundation and state-level grants, supporting veterans at multiple VA facilities, and funding the Pennsylvania Elks Major Project, which has historically focused on the Elks Home Service for children with disabilities. Pennsylvania Hoop Shoot competitions have produced numerous national finalists.

Loyal Order of Moose in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is foundational to modern Loyal Order of Moose history. The order was founded in Louisville, Kentucky in 1888, but it was James J. Davis, a Welsh-born iron puddler who became a labor leader, U.S. Secretary of Labor, and U.S.

Senator from Pennsylvania, who reorganized the Moose in the early 1900s into the national institution it remains today. Davis built networks in Pittsburgh and across western Pennsylvania, and his vision for an order that combined fraternal ritual, affordable family insurance, and a children's city at Mooseheart, Illinois, transformed a struggling small lodge system into one of the largest fraternal organizations in America. Pennsylvania remains one of the order's most important states, with active Moose lodges in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Scranton, Erie, Allentown, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Reading, Williamsport, and dozens of smaller communities. The state has produced multiple International Moose officers, and Pennsylvania Women of the Moose chapters are particularly active in fundraising for Mooseheart.

Many Pennsylvania Moose lodges occupy substantial buildings with banquet halls, swimming pools, and bowling alleys that anchor community social life.

Eagles, Knights of Columbus & Other Fraternal Orders in Pennsylvania

The Fraternal Order of Eagles spread rapidly through Pennsylvania after the order's founding in 1898, finding fertile ground in the steel mill towns, coal patches, and railroad cities of the Keystone State. Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Reading, Erie, and Allentown all developed substantial Eagles aeries, and the order's emphasis on Mother's Day recognition, Social Security advocacy, and diabetes research has aligned well with Pennsylvania's working-class identity. The Knights of Columbus has flourished in Pennsylvania in proportion to the state's enormous Catholic population, particularly among Irish, Italian, Polish, Slovak, German, and Eastern European immigrant communities. The Pennsylvania State Council oversees several hundred local councils across the Archdioceses of Philadelphia and the Dioceses of Pittsburgh, Scranton, Erie, Harrisburg, Allentown, Greensburg, and Altoona-Johnstown.

Notable councils include the prominent metropolitan councils in each of these cities, plus university councils at Catholic institutions including Villanova, Saint Joseph's, La Salle, Duquesne, and Saint Vincent College. Pennsylvania Knights have been national leaders in supporting seminarian education, pro-life activity, Special Olympics, Coats for Kids, Wheelchair Mission, and Ultrasound Initiative programs.

Pennsylvania Fraternal Lodges by the Numbers

Pennsylvania hosts an exceptional number of fraternal organization lodges and service clubs, with combined totals across all major orders likely exceeding 2,500 active organizations. Elks lodges in Pennsylvania number more than 200, with combined membership in the hundreds of thousands. Moose lodges total around 200, Eagles aeries exceed 200, and Knights of Columbus councils number over 700 with membership above 100,000. Lions Clubs maintain over 600 clubs across the state's multiple Lions districts, Rotary clubs exceed 350, and Kiwanis maintains over 200 clubs.

Odd Fellows lodges, while greatly reduced from their late-1800s peak, still number in the dozens and Pennsylvania remains one of the most important IOOF jurisdictions historically. Combined fraternal and service-club membership statewide is estimated above 700,000 active participants, making Pennsylvania one of the most fraternally active states in the nation by absolute numbers and density.

How to Join a Fraternal Lodge in Pennsylvania

Joining a fraternal lodge in Pennsylvania follows national patterns with a few state-specific traditions. The Elks require U.S. citizenship, age 21 or older, belief in God, and sponsorship by a current member in good standing; initiation fees in Pennsylvania lodges typically range from $50 to $200 and annual dues from $80 to $250 depending on lodge amenities. Many large Pennsylvania lodges feature swimming pools, banquet halls, dining rooms, and recreational facilities, which raises dues but provides substantial member benefits.

The Moose require sponsorship and modest fees with the expectation of Mooseheart support. Eagles aeries operate on comparable terms. The Knights of Columbus requires practicing Catholic men aged 18 and older with sponsorship by a current Knight. Lions, Rotary, and Kiwanis operate as service clubs with sponsorship and dues; Philadelphia and Pittsburgh Rotary clubs maintain higher dues reflecting their professional networking depth.

Most Pennsylvania lodges welcome inquiries from prospective members and host open houses, especially during membership drives in the spring and fall.

Notable Pennsylvania Fraternal Members in History

Pennsylvania's fraternal lodges have produced and counted an extraordinary roster of public figures. James J. Davis, the labor leader who reorganized the Loyal Order of Moose, served as U.S. Secretary of Labor under three presidents and as U.S.

Senator from Pennsylvania. Andrew Mellon, the Pittsburgh banker and U.S. Treasury Secretary, maintained fraternal affiliations alongside his philanthropic work. Senators Joseph Clark, Hugh Scott, John Heinz, Arlen Specter, and Bob Casey held memberships in civic clubs across the state during their political careers.

Governors Milton Shapp, Dick Thornburgh, Bob Casey Sr., Tom Ridge, and Ed Rendell maintained civic-club affiliations. Football coaches Joe Paterno of Penn State and the Rooney family of the Pittsburgh Steelers populated Rotary and Knights of Columbus rosters. Steelworker leader I.W. Abel was active in fraternal circles.

Philadelphia and Pittsburgh business figures including the Annenbergs, Heinzes, Mellons, and Pews held memberships across multiple orders. Television personality Fred Rogers of Pittsburgh maintained civic-club ties throughout his career, and Pennsylvania's many congressional delegations have consistently included Elks, Moose, Eagles, Knights of Columbus, and Rotarians from across the state.

Frequently Asked Questions: Pennsylvania Fraternal Lodges

Sources & Further Reading

• https://www.elks.org
• https://www.mooseintl.org
• https://www.foe.com
• https://www.kofc.org
• https://www.lionsclubs.org
• https://www.rotary.org
• https://www.kiwanis.org
• https://www.paelks.org
• https://www.pakofc.org
• https://www.ioof.org