Location
415 Second Street
Phone
(530) 758-4940
Email
info@davislodge.org
Website
http://www.davislodge.org/
Established
Davis Oddfellows- 1870, Hall- 1955

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Davis Lodge No. 169

Odd Fellows are named so because "In 17th century England, it was odd to find people organized for the purpose of giving aid to those in need and of pursuing projects for the benefit of all mankind." Odd Fellows are also known as "The Three Link Fraternity" which stands for Friendship, Love and Truth. The mission is "To Improve and Elevate the Character of Mankind." Odd Fellowship became the 1st national fraternity to create an order for women in 1851. Although originally considered an Odd Fellow sorority, the Rebekah Order now accepts both women and men.

The Odd Fellows Lodge in Davis was chartered in 1870, before the City of Davis was incorporated and before UCD was founded. It is the seventh oldest Davis organization still in existence, although they claim they are the oldest. It was originally known as Yolo Lodge No. 169, and in 2007 changed its name to Davis Lodge No. 169. Davis Rebekah Lodge Number 253 was created on April 5, 1901, and the organization meets in the same building.

The Davis Lodge had over 100 members at the end of 2009. Dave Reed is the current Noble Grand of the Davis Odd Fellows, following in the footsteps of Dave Rosenberg. The Davis Lodge is the third biggest Odd Fellow chapter in California, and is one of the only chapters nationwide experiencing growth in membership. It tends to have a more progressive attitude than many of the other chapters, and its members are working to spread that spirit throughout the country and the world.

The Noble Grand of the Rebekahs is Lea Rosenberg and the order has about 40 members.

The Davis Odd Fellows are actively involved in good works throughout the community and provide substantial support to charitable and community groups. For activities of the lodge, see the Davis Odd Fellows web site.

During 1909, the Knights of Pythias were meeting every first and third Tuesday here.

Odd Fellows Hall

Benefit concert for KDRT, January 2008 Lamar Heystek and Butterscotch at MLK Awards, January 2009 The Odd Fellows Hall is located at 415 Second Street in Downtown Davis, and has been in the Second Street location since 1955. The original Hall was built in 1875 and was located on G Street. The current Hall, located right downtown, is a fairly unique building in Davis. Before it was renovated, community activities at the hall were sparsely advertised- although Whole Earth Festival held a fundraiser in the bottom floor, and there were pancake breakfasts. The Hall underwent a major $1 million remodel in 2006 and now sees regular community use. KDRT held a benefit concert last January. The People's Vanguard of Davis held a birthday party, and most recently the Hall was used on Martin Luther King Day. The Odd Fellows also host Davis' only Bingo games, on the second Sunday of each month. Some Bingo games are fundraising activities for local nonprofits, like Davis Football Backers. Information on Davis Bingo can be found at here. Bingo games are open to the general public and players can win up to $250 in a game.

Hall rental information is available at here, and the facility manager's name is Dody Black

Upcoming Events John Lescroart Book Release Party at 6:30 PM http://www.johnlescroart.com/the-hunter-book-tour-schedule/

Past Events

Winter 2011

Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Telekinesis is Michael Benjamin Lerner, an indie rocker based out of Seattle who is currently signed to Merge Records w/ The Love Language Doors at 7pm.

Winter 2010

Friday, March 6, 2010
Grassroots radio benefit for low power KDRT 95.7 fm, with hometown heroes The West Nile Ramblers & jug band powerhouse Aesthetic Cling. Tickets available at Davis Media Access, Armadillo Music, or online here- $15 general, $10 student w/ ID. Doors at 6:30pm

Winter 2009 First Fridays Concert Series benefiting KDRT-LP and Davis Odd Fellows:

Friday, February 6, 2009
San Francisco-ized Beatles Music with Rubber Souldiers featuring David Gans and Rowan Brothers. Loose Acoustic Trio opening.
Friday, March 6, 2009

Local musician Joe Craven with Aesthetic Cling opening.

Friday, April 3, 2009
Local musician Bill Scholer & Waiting For Bruce with Dave Nachmanoff opening.

Share your perspective on the Odd Fellows

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2009-01-28 19:31:01   IOOF members, in addition to promoting friendship, love, and truth also sponsor belief in a "supreme being, the creator and preserver of the universe." —ZN


2009-01-30 01:47:14   The Odd Fellows in Sacramento allow undead creatures of the night to use their facility. On Saturdays, people playing vampires swarm all over their hall. While that doesn't necessarily say much about the local Odd Fellows, the organization in general seems to be willing to allow very odd groups to rent their lodges. —JabberWokky


2010-01-27 22:03:07   It should be noted that the Davis Chapter of the Odd Fellows has declared itself a non-political, non-religious organization, a policy which the Sovereign Grand Lodge is aware of and has not taken exception to (officially.) The International Order still requires belief in a Supreme Being, but the Davis Chapter will consider anyone with an ethical disposition, desire to make strong connections within the community, and who are willing to serve others. (Note I am not speaking for IOOF in any capacity, these are my own words and my own impressions as a pledge)—JohnathanQuigley


2010-03-19 18:43:10   So, is this literally just a charitable organization or does it have quasi-mystical, ritualistic elements similar to other groups such as the Freemasons? —ScottMeehleib

Lets call it a little of both Daubert