Over the years many men have passed through the doors and have become members of the Independent Order of Oddfellows calling Century Lodge #492 their home lodge. The membership all takes on the same goals; visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead and educate the orphan. The members over the years have become deeply embedded and well recognized in the surrounding community by our humanitarian and philanthropical aid in the name of Oddfellowship. On November 4th, 2000 Century Lodge #492 received a plaque from the Mayor of Carpentersville for 100 years of dedication to community service.

September 9th, 1992 Century Lodge began a new course. New recruits met with a group of four open minded older brothers looking for new members willing to accept the duties of an Oddfellow. The lodge became a Rebirth Lodge as it was truly reborn and since has become an "Incubator" of Rebirth Lodges locally and across the country. The older open minded Oddfellows of Century Lodge became know and respected by the new members as the "Gatekeepers". It is unfortunate that since 1950 all fraternal organizations have seen a very heavy decline in membership. Illinois at one time had 1017 lodges across the state, in 1992 there were 116 lodges and presently there are 71 lodges left in Illinois. Century Lodge has since been one of the most dedicated and successful lodges in the US responsible for increasing membership not only in our lodge but in the so many that need asistance and are willing to accept our open hand. We consider it an honor to be members of this order.

We are very proud of the fact that due to our intersection with this order, in our area alone there are 7 rebirth lodges, there is a meeting at a rebirth lodge every week night. Every night of the week some type of relief is being offered to someone, a family or a cause in need. Most every weekend of the year there is a fundraiser or some function for the purpose of relief within these rebirth lodges.

Century Lodge is always open to those looking to find a platform for giving. The hand of an Oddfellow is always extended to our fellow man . Collectively we are all stand alone men standing together dedicated to doing our part to make a difference in this world in the name of Oddfellowship.
 

The Independent Order of Oddfellows was founded in 1819 by our founder Thomas Wildey and 4 men that together thought they could make a difference. Century Lodge #492 and all the rebirth lodges carry on that tradition. Since 1819 Oddfellowship has spread to 29 countries with over 250,000 dedicated members worldwide.

Century Lodge #492 2005 Bring-a-Friend Meeting was held in June 11, 2005.  Brothers and friends were in attendance from California, Montana, Arizona, Wisconsin, Florida, New York and from around Illinois.   The focus of this meeting was to share a day of brotherhood with Oddfellows that have either been part of Century Lodge 492 by associate or full membership but more importantly to friends that have never been exposed to Oddfellowship.  The impact on friends coming to such a meeting for the first time is overwhelming to say the least.  The day starts out with a cocktail hour, and awesome meal prepared by our great chef's and is compliments of the house.  Upon finishing the meal all are urged to enter the meeting room.  The meeting room is darkened and once all are seated at the front of the lodge is the one and only Brother Hans Olson.  Hans is a world famous Blues recording artist that has played with such greats as Muddy Water and Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee.  We actually met Hans via his song of true brotherhood, Golden Rule.  This song is played at the begining of every meeting and can be heard on the home page of this website.  After a little musical introduction, speaker John "BJ" Goldberg PG tells the story of Oddfellowship.  The story covers everything from the establishment of Oddfellowship to what is going on right now.  The focus of this talk is to inform the newer members and guests about our order.  The meeting is integrated with speakers and music from Hans.  At the end of this meeting each of the rebirth lodges in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin had a representative that passed a large donation to the charity of their choice.  The impact on the guests kept coming.  Emotions were high and the feeling of what we really do was in the air.  After the meeting the entertainment takes off as Hans cuts loose and the refreshments are flowing.  Thanks to all that realize the value of attending this type of meeting and for bearing the expenses of travel to be present.  See you at the next BRING -A- FRIEND MEETING!!!!!!