Friendship, Love and Truth
Discover our roots. Explore the global history, timeless values, and enduring legacy of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows from its origins to the present day.
Deeply tied to Sellersville. See how our members have shaped, supported, and grown alongside the community since 1869.
What we stand for. Learn about Friendship, Love, and Truth—the foundational principles and code of ethics that guide our members and our mission.
We’d love to hear from you.
Use our online form to send a general question or request membership information, and view the map to find our historic home on Temple Avenue.
The History
Independent Order of Odd Fellows
The exact origins of Odd Fellowship are lost to the fogs of antiquity. Some historians trace our roots back to the medieval trade guilds of the 12th and 13th centuries, while others estimate the Order existed well before 1650. What we know for certain is that by the 1700s, numerous Odd Fellows groups were actively meeting across England.
Ancient Roots and Early Customs
Early evidence suggests our practices were influenced by 18th-century English organizations like the Order of Gregorians and the Ancient Order of Bucks. These early groups met in club rooms and taverns under the leadership of a "Most Noble Grand." They utilized symbols still familiar to modern Odd Fellows, such as a "bundle of sticks" representing strength in union.
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By the mid-1700s, the Odd Fellows were gaining public notice. In 1745, legendary author Daniel Defoe mentioned the society, and Gentleman’s Magazine described an Odd Fellows’ Lodge as "a place where very pleasant and recreative evenings are spent." The earliest surviving official record is from the Loyal Aristarchus Lodge No. 9 in England, dated March 12, 1748.
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In these early days, the Order had no formal ritual—it was primarily a social space where members fell into a system of mutual aid, each paying a penny upon entering the lodge to relieve members in need. Over time, these casual gatherings evolved, establishing a standardized system of rules and rituals, some of which we still practice today.
Persecution and the Underground Movement
During the late 18th and early 19th centuries, fraternal and friendly societies were suppressed by the English government. Membership became a criminal offense, driving the Odd Fellows underground. To survive, the Order adopted secret codes, passwords, and special handshakes.
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While the government feared political revolution, their primary concern was economic. Fraternal societies were the predecessors of modern trade unions. By utilizing their benevolent funds to support the families of striking workers, the Odd Fellows wielded significant local influence, making them a target for state persecution.
The Rise of the Independent Order
As restrictions eased, the fraternity was revived in 1803 by the London Union Odd Fellows.
However, in 1810, several lodges in the Manchester area broke away, declaring themselves the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (Manchester Unity).
By 1814, this new branch standardized lodge degree work, grew rapidly, and eventually began chartering lodges in North America.
By 1842, disputes over governance and decision-making led American lodges to split from the English Order.
In 1843, they officially established the independent corporate structure of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) in the United States.
Odd Fellowship in America
While unofficial lodges popped up in New York City between 1806 and 1818, the official foundation of American Odd Fellowship took place on April 26, 1819.
On that day, an English immigrant named Thomas Wildey—along with four associates—formed Washington Lodge No. 1 at the Seven Stars Tavern in Baltimore, Maryland, after placing a notice in a local newspaper. The lodge was soon granted the authority to institute new lodges across the continent, sparking massive growth.
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Like most fraternities of the era, the IOOF originally restricted its membership. However, the Order broke new ground on September 20, 1851, when it became the first fraternity in the United States to include women.
Written by Schuyler Colfax (who later became Vice President of the United States), the "Beautiful Rebekah Degree" was adopted, establishing the Daughters of Rebekah as a vital auxiliary organization to the Odd Fellows.
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Today, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows continues to span the globe, carrying forward a centuries-old legacy of fraternity, benevolence, and community service.
The History of Victory Lodge #658
Nestled in beautiful Sellersville, Pennsylvania (Bucks County), our lodge began in February 1869 with just 12 dedicated charter members. Membership grew rapidly, and the brothers soon realized that erecting a permanent home would not only benefit the Lodge but would also uplift the entire surrounding community.
Building the IOOF Temple
In the summer of 1896, construction began on a grand, four-story brick building. Completed in just a few months at a total cost of $15,356.21—nearly $750,000 in today’s economy—the structure was proudly named the IOOF Temple.​
The impact of the building on Sellersville was immediate. At the time, the borough had no formal streets. The very first street completed in the borough was laid directly in front of our new home and named Temple Avenue, a name it still carries today.
Originally, the land owned by the lodge was quite large, but over the years, parcels were sold off to help shape the growing town.​
From its inception, the IOOF Temple was designed to be a hub of community and commerce:
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4th Floor: The dedicated meeting place for the Lodge.
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3rd Floor: A vibrant community theater and civic meeting room for local organizations.
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1st & 2nd Floors: Designed as commercial rental spaces and two apartments—a tradition of supporting local business that continues to this day.
A Hub of Community Life
The IOOF Temple was an incredible feat for our members and a major catalyst for the local economy.
Over the decades, it served as the beating heart of Sellersville:1897: The theater hosted grand cultural events, including a full production of the opera Les Cloches de Corneville.
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1906: Lodge members sponsored community suppers in the 3rd-floor civic center for just 11 cents a plate (around $3.00 today).
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1909: The Sellersville Entertainment Company brought the town to life with Saturday night concerts, plays, and vaudeville acts.
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1911: Dr. O.L. Metzler opened a pharmacy on the first floor, boasting the finest soda fountain between Philadelphia and Allentown.
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1921: The town’s very first fire alarm was installed on the roof of the Temple. Operated via the telephone exchange, its siren alerted the entire town to emergencies and was later used during wartime to sound air-raid warnings.
Victory Lodge Today
Following World War II, the Lodge entered a new era and officially changed its name to Victory Lodge #658.​
While membership numbers across fraternal organizations have shifted over the generations, this wonderful, historic building still stands proud, and it is where our members still meet today.
Victory Lodge #658 remains deeply rooted in our history, very active in our community, and dedicated to carrying our legacy forward.
Historical information adapted from the 2024 book "Independent Order of Odd Fellows: Celebrating 200 Years" and used with permission.
Our Core Values
At Victory Lodge #658, everything we do is anchored by our foundational principles and a clear, historic mission.
These aren't just ideals—they are a code of ethics we live by every day as we dedicate ourselves to fulfilling the timeless command of our Order: to visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead, and educate the orphan.
Through these faithful actions, we actively strive to build a more compassionate and supportive community right here in Sellersville.
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Friendship
We believe in treating everyone like family. To us, friendship means treating others exactly as we would want to be treated, standing together, and always extending a helping hand to those in need.
2
Love
Our commitment to love knows no boundaries. We welcome and love everyone equally, completely regardless of skin color, ethnic background, or sexual orientation. Embracing diversity is at the core of who we are.
3
Truth
We practice truth within ourselves and in our relationships with others. While we are a ritual-driven organization proud of our traditional heritage, we operate with total transparency—we have no secrets.
Officers of Victory Lodge #658
Behind the legacy of Victory Lodge #658 is a dedicated team of officers committed to guiding our lodge, supporting our members, and serving the Sellersville community.
Bound by our core principles of Friendship, Love, and Truth, our leadership team works together to keep our traditions alive and our lodge moving forward.
Get in Touch with Victory Lodge #658
Whether you are looking to learn more about our rich history, want to discover how we serve our community, or are ready to take the next step and become a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, we would love to hear from you. Reach out to us today with any questions, inquiries, or membership requests. A dedicated member of Victory Lodge #658 will get back to you shortly to help guide you on your journey toward FRIENDSHIP, LOVE, and TRUTH.