Brief History of the National Sojourners

    National Sojourners originated in the Philippines upon the arrival of a North Dakota Regiment of volunteer infantry about 1 August 1898.  The Grand Lodge of North Dakota granted a dispensation for a field Lodge.  It first met 21 August 1898.  Meetings were held each Wednesday and Sunday, and were well attended.  The 22 February 1899 meeting in Culi Culi Church was held under fire.  Bullets came through the roof and Lodge officers wore sidearms.  The regiment departed 31 July taking their dispensation with them.

    Early in 1900, a Sojourners Club was organized in Manila.  On 1 July 1901, the Grand Lodge of California authorized them to form a Lodge. After formation of the Lodge, the Sojourners Club lost its identity.

   Late in 1917, officer of various services and some of our allies found a great need for a Masonic Club in Chicago.  They began to hold a series of meetings; thus began a Sojourners Club.  By 1919, a charter was obtained from the State of Illinois and then a club was formed in Detroit, which has become known as Detroit Chapter #1.

   During World War II, National Sojourners chapters were formed throughout the world, whenever there are American Forces. Today there are chapters in France, Germany, Guam, Japan, and Vietnam, as well as 190 chapters in the United States.

 For more information on the history of the National Sojourners please go to the National Sojourners webpage at www.nationalsojourners.org.