| Sometimes when shadows gently fall, sitting alone we recall faces and fancies in days of long ago, and remember with a smile some incidents that made the years go quickly by. |
| In 1913 at the home of the Wallaces, a group met to talk about and organize a Chapter - Kirkwood Chapter Order of the Eastern Star. Later, at a special session of Grand Chapter, and on June 7, 1913, we were instituted under a dispensation and became known as Kirkwood Chapter with twenty-five (25) members. All took a pledge of fidelity around a sacred altar and Kirkwood Chapter was officially organized to grow and grow. Nettie Van Dam was installed as Worthy Matron and Bernal Tatman as Worthy Patron. They formed a Chapter honoring the Star, bringing a steadfast faith and courage true, a sacred work to do. |
| After seventy-five (75) years our Chapter had grown to over four hundred (400) members. The number of brothers has never reached one hundred (100) although on two occasions we were close to that number. |
| Throughout the years we have been honored with a number of Grand Appointments, which are detailed throughout our history. |
| Kirkwood Chapter has many fifty (50) year members. On June 6, 1921 the Chapter moved from its original location to the present Masonic Temple in Kirkwood. |
| A lasting bond of friendship was begun with Fenton Chapter in 1933 when a fire destroyed their Temple. They were invited to come to Kirkwood Temple to hold their meetings. Since that time, Fenton and Kirkwood Chapters have enjoyed many friendship nights together. |
| All of our Charter Members are now gone to the great Chapter in the sky. Minnie T. Rowe held the longest membership of anyone in our Chapter. Rob Morris Chapter presented Kirkwood with a set of Flower Baskets for the Star Points and flowers were presented to our Candidates for many years. All of this was fine and very pretty when we initiated our new Sisters, but when we had a Brother to initiate, he paraded around the hall holding the flowers as through he were carrying a feather duster. |
| At a specific session of Grand Chapter held in Kansas City, Kirkwood Chapter was Constituted and given the number of 358, which has come to be very special to all of us. Since that time, the tie of love has held us close and through the efforts of our devoted members, Kirkwood Chapter has come to be recognized as a very special Chapter. |
| On December 15, 1913, we held our second Installation after our meeting. Our treasury boasted a balance of $20.00. Our records tell the tale of sacrifice during some years, but our members were (and are) loyal - working as good members should, and so our finances grew and grew. |
