Skip to content

Marys River Grange #685

Philomath, OR

  • Home Page
  • Directions
  • Meetings
    • List of Officers
  • Rental
  • Calendar
  • History
    • History of the National Grange
  • Contact
  • News
  • About Us
    • Why Join?
    • Mission Statement
    • Image Gallery
    • Links
  • Donate!

History

 The Grange is a national organization that began in the late 1860’s.

The first Grange in Philomath was Philomath Grange#13, organized in 1873 with Eldridge Hartless as the first Master. This Grange continued to meet until 1892.

In 1927, at a meeting at the Philomath high school, Marys River Grange#685 organized. Morris Goodrich was the first master.

The current Grange Hall was built with donations and volunteer labor for a total cost of $1,294. The first meeting was held Feb. 2, 1934.

Many of the nearby roads and streets are named after families who were active in the Grange.

Recent History of Marys River Grange

At the November 2009 Grange meeting, Marys River Grange voted to close due to lack of membership. The few active members would combine with another nearby hall and the Grange Hall put up for sale. Fortunately, at the urging of recent member John Evelund of Gathering Together Farm, forty farmers, farm workers, and rural community members got joined the Grange and voted to keep Marys River Grange open.

Since then, our ranks have continued to swell with new people and enthusiasm, with over 60 members as of 2018. Our goal is to restore this old Hall to its historic position as a rural community center devoted to agrarian values.

Anyone is welcome to join Marys River Grange.

The Grange Hall by the River

Written by Katie Hoyt, lecturer, Marys River Grange

(Tune: The Wild Bird)

In the evening let us wander,
While the stars shine above,
To the Grange hall by the river,
Where we meet friends we love.
Then the Bakers and the Huffmans,
And the Seedenburgs, too,
Meet the Bennetts and the Botkins
With a glad, “How are you?”
By the river near the hillside,
In the Grange Hall you know,
Built by Patrons from the valley
And the nearby hamlet.
‘Neath the old hall’s heavy rafters
Gathers many a throng;
Happy hours are spent together
That we’ll never forget.

(Katie Hoyt died in 1996 at the age of 107).

From the Steward’s Lesson in the First Degree Ritual, 1867

I must call your attention to the domestic animals that are committed to
our keeping by the Great Author of our being. We are dependent upon them,
for without their aid man could never have risen from barbarism to
civilization. Practice mercy and compassion toward them. Never overwork nor
overload them, and guard against haste in reprimanding them. Treat them
with kindness and affection, and they will learn to love you. It is one of
the objects of our Order to protect dumb animals from abuse, and any member who countenances their ill-treatment is liable to censure, suspension, or expulsion

Proudly powered by WordPress