Our History

West Chester Lodge #853 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks was instituted on May 21, 1903 by dispensation granted by Grand Exalted Ruler, Joseph T. Fanning.   On the above date, District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler J. P. Hale Jenkins of Norristown #714 organized a Lodge of Emergency and deputizing the Officers of Norristown to represent the Grand Lodge and to perform the duties of instituting the West Chester Lodge. 

The Grand Lodge granted our Charter on July 23, 1903.

The early meetings of our Lodge were held in the old Post Office Building on S. Church Street, but in the latter part of 1903, the Elks Home Association purchased the Frazer Smith property  on South Church Street.  We only stayed there a short time.

In 1904, we rented the second floor of the Quaker Baking Company building.  This was our Home for the next 20 years.

Our Lodge continued to grow, and by 1920 we started to look for a building of our own.   In 1923, we decided to purchase the old Jacob Mansion on West Gay Street.   $100.00 dollar bonds were issued to raise the $45,000 dollars needed to purchase the building in April of 1924.  Seven months of hard work allowed us to hold our first Lodge meeting, in our new building, on November 27, 1924.

 December 10, 1948 was a very important date in our history.  On that date, the official burning of our Mortgage was celebrated with a Gala Banquet and ceremony. 

The Board of Governors, under the direction of President William R. Benner PER, were authorized to purchase the Veit property in 1957.  Settlement was made on the 5.1 acre Veit property on January 22, 1958.  The last meeting held at 13 West Gay Street was held on October 22, 1958.  The property at 13 West Gay Street was sold on November 1, 1958 for $69,000.00.

The first activity in our new Home was the Kiddies Christmas Party.  It was held in the Cocktail Lounge due to an ongoing renovations in the remainder of the Home.  Lodge meeting were held at the VFW Hall on Market and Darlington Streets until renovations were completed.

March 12, 1959 was the date of the first Lodge meeting held in our new Home under Exalted Ruler Edward H. Kofke.

Building renovations over the years have included upgrades to the Heritage Room (members only lounge) and the main banquet hall.  The Jolly Cork Room was created as an informal banquet room through generous donations of our Lodge members time and money.  Most recent renovations have included raising the ceiling and installing several chandeliers in the main banquet hall.

The West Chester Elks Lodge has always been, and will continue to be, a place to share good times, remember those who have passed before us, and coming to the aid of those less fortunate.