By SARA FURLONG

s.furlong@bradfordera.com

REW – The Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF), one of the largest and oldest fraternal organizations in the world, used to figure prominently in area business and communities.

Membership in Bradford’s Tuna Lodge 411 numbered nearly 1,000 and it was the driving force behind the construction of what’s now known as Marilyn Florne Hall, 2 Main St.

The lodge’s rolls dwindled and the group merged with Foster Lodge 333 in Rew. That, too, eventually waned and the lodge closed.

However, while their numbers are still small at just six members, Foster Lodge 333 is back in business now.

Lodge Secretary Tracy Knight said, ‘In 2022, the grand secretary got a hold of me because I was a member (at the lodge) before, and he wanted to know if we could possibly get Foster Lodge reinstated.

‘So we went through the process to get it reinstated and keep it in Rew, and now we’re just trying to get the word out that we’re there, we want to be active in the community and we would love to have new members.’

Knight explained the lodge had ‘been in Rew since the 1800s and, throughout the years it had its own building.’ The lodge ended up selling that building to the fire department because there was ample room for its equipment, and rented the upstairs floor to continue their meetings, Knight said.

‘Over the years, membership in all these organizations started dwindling and the lodge ended up closing,’ Knight recalled.

The lodge meets at the former Rew United Methodist Church — which held its last service June 30, 2024 – at 1138 Summit Road, usually at 6 p.m., on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. The requirements for membership are simple — be at least 16 years old and have no felony convictions.

Anyone interested in learning more or joining

Lodge… page A-8

A cornerstone on what is currently known as Marilyn Horne Hall states “IOOF 1931.” The building was originally known as the Odd Fellows Temple, a grand new home for Bradford’s former Tuna Lodge 411.

Era photo by Sara Furlong can contact Knight at (814) 331-8187 or tracylynn665@ gmail.com, or any member at any lodge. Foster Lodge 333’s current Noble Grand is Russell Knight, Vice Grand is Albert Webster and Treasurer is Mary Schultz.

“We’re small so we’re going to be doing a lot of fundraisers and things,” Knight said.

An open house is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 10 at the former church. There will be a large yard sale and The Good Place and BK Donuts food trucks will be on site.

Funds will help the lodge “to do charity work and help our communities,” Knight noted.

A special section in the Feb. 17, 1932, edition of The Bradford Era paid homage to the progress the IOOF drove in the young city since Tuna Lodge 411’s establishment in 1877. Articles said “Bradford owes much to the Odd Fellows for the work they have done,” and called the Odd Fellows Temple, now Marilyn Horne Hall, a “tribute to local enterprise” and “initiative.”

Walk over to 2 Main St. today, and you’ll find a cornerstone marked with “IOOF 1931,” the Os stylized like chain links. The three-ringed symbol represents the IOOF values of friendship, love and truth.