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Order of Royal Purple

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Order of Royal Purple
OORP
Order of Royal Purple badge
FoundedSeptember 1914; 110 years ago (1914-09)
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
TypeFraternal order auxiliary
AffiliationElks of Canada
StatusDefunct
ScopeNational
Motto"Life sweeter, women better, and the world happier"
PillarsJustice, Charity, Sisterly Love, and Fidelity
Colors  Purple,   White and   Gold
FlowerPansy
PublicationPansy Express
PhilanthropyElks and Royal Purple Fund for Children
Chapters376+
Members5,000 lifetime
HeadquartersRegina, Saskatchewan
Canada

The Supreme Executive Order of Royal Purple (OORP) was a Canadian fraternal and charitable organization for women. It was the official female auxiliary of the Elks of Canada. It was also called the Royal Purple of Canada and the Order of Royal Purple. The order ended its affiliation with the Elks in 2014 and became a new organization, the Canadian Royal Purple Society.

History

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In 1913, some women whose husbands were members of the Elks of Canada formed an informal group to help the men with charity work.[1] It was an officially recognized female auxiliary of the Elks of Canada in 1914 as the Order of Royal Purple.[2][1] The Order of Royal Purple was a fraternal and charitable organization for women founded in Vancouver, British Columbia in September 1914.[3][4] In 2013, the order had 190 active lodges with 5,000 members.[5] Its national charity was the Elks and Royal Purple Fund for Children.[5][2]

In 2014, the Supreme Executive of the Order of Royal Purple decided to secede from the Elks and start a new organization, the Canadian Royal Purple Society.[6][1] The new group was incorporated on May 25, 2014 and is open to men and women.[6] Approximately 75 of Canadian Royal Purple lodges were formed between August 2014 and February 2015.[7]

Some local lodges did not withdraw and were integrated into the Elks of Canada as Royal Purple Elks Lodges.

Symbols and rituals

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The Order of Royal Purple's motto was "Life sweeter, women better, and the world happier".[1] Its principles or pillars were Justice, Charity, Sisterly Love and Fidelity.[1] Its crest was, a diamond that had an elk's head in the center; below the elk was a clock face pointing to 11 o'clock, a pansy, and a banner with the word "Canada".[1]

The Order of Royal Purple's badge featured its crest in purple enamel, surrounded by a gold frame and topped with gold leaves.[8] It could be worn alone or attached to hang from a lodge pin.[8] The lodge pin was rectangular and was inscribed with "Lodge No xx", with a maple leaf on either side.[8]

The order's flower was the pansy.[9][1] The pansy was selected because it was found throughout Canada and symbolizes "pleasant thoughts".[10] The order's publication was Pansy Express.[11] Following the Elks of Canada, its colors were purple, white, and gold.[1]

Members wore pillbox hats with tassels in various colors depending on status.[1] A white tassel indicated a lodge member. White and purple mixed was worn by a local president, called an honored royal lady. District deputies wore gold tassels. The national leader, called the Supreme Honored Royal Lady, wore a purple tassel.

The order's fraternal signs were not allowed in a lodge until the Bible was open or after it was closed. The order had passwords and formal dress regalia.[1][9] During the initiation rite, the candidate was asked to promise "never to divulge any of the secrets of the order to anyone."[9] The candidate also had to promise "to defend every worthy member's reputation, never to wrong a member and always help a member in need".[9] This obligation followed a prayer by the lodge chaplain and the singing of "In Charity's Sweet Name".[9]

Organization

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Local units of the order were called lodges and the national structure was called the Supreme Lodge. In 1979, their national office was located in Brandon, Manitoba.[12] Its last national office was located at #200 - 2629 - 29th Avenue in Regina, Saskatchewan.[13]

Membership

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In 1979, membership was open to women who believed in a Supreme Being, were 18 years or older, and a male relative in the Elks of Canada. Women who did not have a male relative who was an Elk could also be admitted, but could not make up more than 25% of a lodge. Members were accepted or rejected by a black cube system, with three black cubes being sufficient to reject a candidate for membership.[12]

However, membership requirements at the time of the dissolution of the organization were: fourteen years of age, a resident of Canada, supporting democratic and lawful government, and the purpose and objectives of the Order.[5] The order also awarded honorary membership to non-members who made contributions to the lodge.[1]

Chapters

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Following is an incomplete list of chapters or lodges of the Order of Royal Purple.

Number Charter date Lodge Location Status Reference
14 Thunder Bay Royal Purple Lodge No. 14 Thunder Bay, Ontario Inactive [14]
21 Red Deer Royal Purple Lodge No. 21 Red Deer, Alberta Inactive [15]
22 Edmonton Royal Purple Lodge No. 22 Edmonton, Alberta Inactive [14][16]
27 Ponoka Royal Purple Lodge No. 27 Ponoka, Alberta Inactive [17]
32 April 27, 1928 – 2017 Lethbridge Royal Purple Lodge No. 32 Lethbridge, Alberta Withdrew [18][1][a]
50 Prince Albert Royal Purple Lodge No. 50 Prince Albert, Saskatchewan Withdrew [19][b]
57 Hodgeville Royal Purple Lodge No. 57 Hodgeville, Saskatchewan Withdrew [19][c]
67 Nipawin Royal Purple Lodge No. 67 Nipawin, Saskatchewan Withdrew [19][d]
71 Trochu Royal Purple Lodge No. 71 Trochu, Alberta Inactive [17]
74 December 13, 1941 Estevan Royal Purple Lodge No. 74 Estevan, Saskatchewan Inactive [14][20]
77 Big Valley Royal Purple Lodge No. 77 Big Valley, Alberta Inactive [15]
80 Grimshaw Royal Purple Lodge No. 80 Grimshaw, Alberta Inactive [17]
88 June 7, 1945 – mid 2000s Pas Royal Purple Lodge No 88 The Pas, Manitoba Inactive [21][6]
99 Stavely Royal Purple Lodge No. 99 Stavely, Alberta Withdrew [19][e]
103 Acme Royal Purple Lodge No.103 Acme, Alberta Inactive [15]
114 Canwood Royal Purple Lodge No.114 Canwood, Alberta Withdrew [f]
156 Hardisty Royal Purple No. 156 Hardisty, Alberta Withdrew [22][14][g]
159 Crowsnest Pass Royal Purple Lodge No. 159 Crownsnest, Alberta Inactive [15]
185 September 10, 1954 Swan River Royal Purple Lodge No. 185 Swan River, Manitoba Inactive [4][14]
186 Indian Head Royal Purple Lodge No. 186 Indian Head, Saskatchewan Withdrew [19][h]
191 Sundre Royal Purple Lodge No. 191 Sundre, Alberta Inactive [14][23]
196 March 18, 1956 – January 2022 Drayton Valley Royal Purple Lodge No. 196 Drayton Valley, Alberta Inactive [24]
206 Medicine Hat Royal Purple Lodge No. 206 Medicine Hat, Alberta Inactive [15]
233 Benalto Royal Purple Lodge No. 233 Benalto, Alberta Inactive [15]
248 Trenville Royal Purple Lodge No. 248 Elnora, Alberta Inactive [15]
258 Hanna Royal Purple Lodge No. 258 Hanna, Alberta Inactive [14]
266 Sexsmith Lodge No. 266 Sexsmith, Alberta Inactive [25]
277 North Kamloops Royal Purple Lodge No. 277 North Kamloops, British Columbia Inactive [14]
285 Breton Royal Purple Lodge No. 285 Breton, Alberta Inactive [17]
287 Sherwood Park Royal Purple Lodge No. 287 Sherwood Park, Alberta Inactive [17]
304 Delia Royal Purple Lodge No. 304 Delia, Alberta Inactive [15]
315 Carberry Royal Purple Lodge No. 315 Carberry, Manitoba Inactive [14]
317 Didsbury Royal Purple Lodge No. 317 Didsbury, Alberta Inactive [15]
361 Crossfield Royal Purple Lodge No. 261 Crossfield, Alberta Inactive [15]
376 1998 River City Royal Purple Lodge No. 376 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Inactive [14][26]
  1. ^ Became the Lethbridge Royal Purple Elk Lodge No. 32.
  2. ^ Became the Prince Albert Royal Purple Elks Lodge No. 50.
  3. ^ Became the Hodgeville Royal Purple Elks Lodge No. 57.
  4. ^ Became the Nipawin Royal Purple Elks Lodge No. 67.
  5. ^ Became the Stavely Royal Purple Elks Lodge #99.
  6. ^ Became the Canwood Royal Purple Elks Lodge No. 114.
  7. ^ Became the Acme Royal Purple Elks Lodge #103
  8. ^ Became the Indian Head Royal Purple Elks Lodge No. 186.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Order of the Royal Purple and Elks Flag raising". Galt Museum & Archives. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
  2. ^ a b "About the Royal Purple". Elks & Royal Purple (Sundre & Area Chapter). Archived from the original on 2008-09-28. Retrieved 2024-11-17 – via web.archive.org.
  3. ^ Schmidt, Alvin J. Fraternal Organizations Westport, CT; Greenwood Press p.297
  4. ^ a b "2005-2006 Lodge Officers". Swan River Royal Purple Lodge #185. Archived from the original on 2011-05-11. Retrieved 2024-11-17 – via web.archive.org.
  5. ^ a b c "About Us". Royal Purple of Canada. Archived from the original on 2013-10-17. Retrieved 2024-11-17 – via web.archive.org.
  6. ^ a b c "Order of the Royal Purple". Community Builders. Retrieved 2024-11-17 – via Digital Museums Canada.
  7. ^ Canadian Elk Feb. 2015 Vol. 64 #2 pp.4-5, 47
  8. ^ a b c "The Order of Royal Purple The Pas Lodge Pin". Community Builders | Digital Museums Canada. Canadian Museum of History. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
  9. ^ a b c d e Schmidt p.298
  10. ^ "Royal Purple of Canada". Royal Purple of Canada. Archived from the original on 2013-10-17. Retrieved 2024-11-17 – via web.archive.org.
  11. ^ "Pansy Express". Royal Purple of Canada. Archived from the original on 2013-10-17. Retrieved 2024-11-17 – via web.archive.org.
  12. ^ a b Schmidt, Alvin J. Fraternal Organizations. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press p. 298.
  13. ^ "Contact the Royal Purple of Canada". Royal Purple of Canada. Archived from the original on 2013-10-17. Retrieved 2024-11-17 – via web.archive.org.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Royal Purple Lodges". Royal Purple of Canada. Archived from the original on 2013-10-17. Retrieved 2024-11-17 – via web.archive.org.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Provincial President Page". Alberta Royal Purple Lodges Association. Archived from the original on 2013-08-18. Retrieved 2024-11-17 – via web.archive.org.
  16. ^ "Home". Edmonton Royal Purple. Archived from the original on 2013-10-16. Retrieved 2024-11-17 – via web.archive.org.
  17. ^ a b c d e "Our Executive". Alberta Royal Purple Lodges Association. Archived from the original on 2013-08-18. Retrieved 2024-11-17 – via web.archive.org.
  18. ^ "Sports". Alberta Royal Purple. Archived from the original on 2003-12-25. Retrieved 2024-11-17 – via web.archive.org.
  19. ^ a b c d e "Lodge Directory". Saskatchewan Elks Association, Foundation, and Seniors Homes. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
  20. ^ Hitchcock, Olive; Nicholson, Rose. "Estevan Royal Purple Lodge #74". A Tale That is Told: Estevan 1890 - 1980. Archived from the original on 2008-12-10. Retrieved 2024-11-17 – via web.archive.org.
  21. ^ "The Order of Royal Purple The Pas Lodge Pin". Community Stories. Digital Museums Canada. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
  22. ^ "Hardisty Royal Purple #156". The Town of Hardisty - Alberta - Canada. Archived from the original on 2013-09-16. Retrieved 2024-11-17 – via web.archive.org.
  23. ^ "Home". Elks & Royal Purple (Sundre & Area Chapter). Archived from the original on 2008-09-20. Retrieved 2024-11-17 – via web.archive.org.
  24. ^ Mayhew, Lil (2022-01-18). "Goodbye Royal Purple". Drayton Valley and District Free Press. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
  25. ^ "Membership Drives". Alberta Royal Purple Association. Archived from the original on 2003-12-25. Retrieved 2024-11-17 – via web.archive.org.
  26. ^ "Welcome To River City Royal Purple #376". River City Royal Purple #376. Archived from the original on 2011-05-11. Retrieved 2024-11-17 – via web.archive.org.
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