Chi Phi History

Robert Baird

Founded the Chi Phi Society (Princeton Order) on December 24, 1824 at the College of New Jersey; he was a tutor there and later a prominent Presbyterian clergyman

December 24, 1824

Chi Phi Society (Princeton Order) established at the College of New Jersey (Princeton) by Robert Baird

1825

The original Chi Phi Society (Princeton Order) ceased to be active

John MacLean, Jr.

In the winter of 1853-54, found the old constitution, minute book, and ritual of the 1824 Chi Phi Society among the papers of his uncle

John MacLean

President of Princeton University; uncle of John MacLean, Jr., whose papers contained the old Chi Phi Society constitution, minute book, and ritual

Winter of 1853-54

John MacLean, Jr. found the old Chi Phi Society papers of 1824

1854

Princeton Order re-established; in the fall, Mayer organized a second Chapter of the Chi Phi Society at Franklin and Marshall College

Mayer

Organized a second Chapter of the Chi Phi Society at Franklin and Marshall College in fall 1854

Joseph Henry Dubbs

First initiate of the Franklin and Marshall (Lancaster) Chapter of the Chi Phi Society; later a distinguished professor of history at his alma mater

1859

Reorganized Princeton Chapter died due to Princeton faculty opposition and the prohibitory pledge required of freshmen

Lancaster Chapter (Franklin and Marshall)

Alone represented the Chi Phi Society after the Princeton Chapter died in 1859 and its records were destroyed

August 21, 1858

Chi Phi Fraternity (Southern Order) founded at the University of North Carolina

Southern Chapters organized after 1858

Centenary, Davidson, Virginia, Nashville, and Cumberland

1861-65

American Civil War; ended all Southern Order Chapters except the parent Chapter at North Carolina

"Alpha" Chapter title transfer

After the Civil War closed UNC, the Alpha title was transferred to the Virginia Chapter

Alpha-Alpha

Hyphenated name taken by the North Carolina Chapter when it was reestablished after the Civil War

November 14, 1860

Secret Order of Chi Phi (Hobart Order) formed at Hobart College

Amos Brunson

Co-founder (with Alexander J. Beach) of the Secret Order of Chi Phi at Hobart College, 1860

Alexander J. Beach

Co-founder (with Amos Brunson) of the Secret Order of Chi Phi at Hobart College, 1860

May 29, 1867

Secret Order of Chi Phi (Hobart) and the Chi Phi Society (Franklin and Marshall) formally united to form the Northern Order of the Chi Phi Fraternity

Winter of 1865-66

Hobart alumni in New York learned of the Southern Chi Phi Fraternity through John R. D. Shepard

John R. D. Shepard

Member of the Alpha Chapter at North Carolina; told Hobart alumni in New York about the Southern Order (1865-66)

1871-72

Northern Chi Phis placed Chapters at Wofford and Washington and Lee, which revived union negotiations

Washington and Lee Chapter

Its members' energy helped renew negotiations for union of the Northern and Southern Orders

March 27, 1874

Northern and Southern Orders united at a meeting in Washington, D.C., forming the Chi Phi Fraternity

Source of the name 'Chi Phi Fraternity' (1874)

Taken from the Southern Order

Source of organization and ritual (1874)

Taken from the Northern Order

Reconstruction

Period following the Civil War, largely defined by regional differences; the 1874 union showed the strength of common ideals

Three older 'Chi Phi' organizations

Chi Phi Society (Princeton), Chi Phi Fraternity (UNC), and Secret Order of Chi Phi (Hobart)

Upsilon Chapter

First Chapter of the Secret Order of Chi Phi, founded at Hobart College in 1860

Hobart Order Chapters

Charters were soon issued to new Chapters at Kenyon, Princeton, and Rutgers

May 29, 1867

Secret Order of Chi Phi (Hobart) and the Chi Phi Society (Franklin and Marshall) formally united to form the Northern Order of the Chi Phi Fraternity