The Knights of Pythias became one of Paterson’s largest and most influential fraternal organizations during the late nineteenth century. Founded nationally in 1864 by Justus H. Rathbone, the Order promoted the principles of Friendship, Charity, and Benevolence, using the ancient legend of Damon and Pythias as the basis for its ritual. It was the first fraternal organization chartered by an Act of Congress.
Paterson Lodges
Paterson was home to several Knights of Pythias lodges over the years, including:
- Niagara Lodge No. 4 – One of New Jersey’s earliest lodges, organized shortly after the Grand Lodge of New Jersey was established in 1868.
- Fabiola Lodge No. 57
- Zeno Lodge
By the early 1880s, Paterson’s Pythian membership had grown to approximately 500 members, making it one of the city’s major fraternal organizations.
Contemporary Description
An 1880s history of Passaic County observed:
“The Knights of Pythias have been remarkably successful since the organization of their first lodge, Fabiola, No. 57… They now have a second lodge—Zeno—and number about five hundred members.”
Membership
Like many Paterson fraternal organizations, the lodges attracted:
- Silk mill owners and managers
- Skilled craftsmen
- Merchants
- Clerks
- Professionals
- Veterans
- Civic leaders
Meetings combined ritual work with charitable projects, social events, lectures, banquets, and funeral benefits.
Uniform Rank
Many Paterson Pythians belonged to the Uniform Rank, a military-style drill corps that marched in parades, attended conventions, and appeared at civic celebrations wearing elaborate uniforms, helmets, swords, and plumed caps. These ceremonial swords are common antiques today and often bear the owner’s name or lodge information.
Lodge Buildings
Unlike the Elks or Masons, the Knights of Pythias often rented meeting halls before eventually acquiring or constructing their own buildings. Paterson lodges met in several downtown halls during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Additional research in city directories and Sanborn Fire Insurance maps should make it possible to identify every meeting location and any dedicated Pythian halls.
Decline
As with many fraternal organizations, membership declined after World War II because of changing social habits, suburbanization, and the rise of other civic organizations. Most Paterson lodges eventually merged with neighboring lodges or dissolved.