Our History
The Order Sons of Italy in America Denver Lodge #2075 has been promoting Italian heritage, giving back to the community and giving Italian Americans a place to make friends and share their stories for 50 years. The Order Sons of Italy in America was formed in 1905 by Dr Vencenzo Sellaro. Originally called "L'Ordine Figli d'Italia," the Order Sons of Italy in America was established in the Little Italy neighborhood of New York City on June 22, 1905, by Dr Sellaro and five other Italian immigrants who came to the United States during the great Italian migration. Their aim was to create a support system for all Italian immigrants that would assist them with becoming U.S. citizens, provide health/death benefits and educational opportunities and offer assistance with the transition to America.
Like the national organization, the Denver lodge brought together Italians in the Denver area. The Denver Lodge was formed in April of 1958 by John Decicco,
Joe Ciancio jr and Al Decredico under the Grand Lodge of California.
They wanted to start a club that would unite Americans of Italian decent in the Denver area and give them an entity to become (at that time) brothers who all shared the common bond of “la familia.” Although membership was strong in the beginning by initiating nearly 200 men, it decreased and women were welcomed
in 1959. Now the membership was going strong and elections of officers were competitive. Because the Denver lodge didn’t have a permanent place to meet, members met in various rooms around the Denver area such as Mt. Carmel school and various bank buildings.
Some of the early events were also held at Mt. Carmel in their gymnasium and the Grand Ballroom at the Brown Palace. Notable events of the time were Columbus parades and dinners and even a “Rocky Marciano Night” was held. The reason for the event didn’t matter as much as the fact that friends and family were brought together to share memorable times.
Other events throughout our history have been family picnics, Carnivale dances, spaghetti dinners, Sunday activities, bocce tournaments, children dance receitals and so much more.
Throughout the years, the Denver lodge has beeen involved in events around the community. They were staples in the Wheat Ridge Carnation and St Patrick’s Day parades. The lodge also participated in numerous fairs, festivals and public events. The Sons of Italy chorus led by John Gloria DeFrange, preformed in various local events. Who can forget the many queens that gave the lodge a strong positive presence in the community as well as competing in the pageant at the Grand Lodge of California Conventions? The lodge even sponsored sports teams.
Members of the Denver lodge bought their first building at 38th and Harlan in 1981.
Finally members had a place to call their own and a place to hold meetings and host events. They even rented the hall to other organizations as a way to make money. Near the end of the payment terms the interest rate was set to spike from 12% to 18%. Displeased with the increase, Anne Ciancio launched an alternate plan to take pledges from the membership to payoff the remaining balance. When the idea was presented to the membership, the needed funds were raised in just 10 minutes. Each member was repaid in full at the original interest rate of 12%. It’s fair to say that the membership really did live up to the true good of the order.
In 1983 the Denver Lodge started organizing bingo events. Sessions were originally hosted in the lodge building but because of its size and the amount of players, it was decided to rent space in a bingo hall.
By 1987 bingo sessions were bringing in an amazing $20,000 a month. The members’ hard work was paying off. It was this profitable endeavor that allowed the growing 650 members to start looking for a bigger building. Our current building was purchased in October of 1986. Organizers were able to put down a large down payment on the building. After some clean-up and alterations such as removing pews and alters out of the former church, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held in May of 1987. By 1995 the lodge was completely paid off. In 1991 the kitchen was expanded creating a facility that made some restaurants jealous. When you look around the hall, know that it was made possible by devoted members who gave their time and money to get what you see around you today.
Also in 1995, the Grand Lodge of Colorado was formed. Since the membership had exceeded the national OSIA minimum requirement of 500 members, the Denver Lodge separated from the Grand Lodge of California and the Grand Lodge of Colorado was formed.
Since 1995 the Grand Lodge has welcomed the New Generation Lodge, Southern Colorado Lodge, Cristofro Columbo Lodge and the Cabrini Lodge.
Our membership has fluctuated over the years but there has always been one common goal…to unite American’s of Italian decent and make a difference in the community. Since it’s inception, the Denver Lodge has donated thousands of dollars to local and national charities, held more events than can be named and has been responsible for numerous friendships.
50 years have not gone by without it’s share of trying times and conflicts, but we have lasted through all of that and look to march through our next half century and beyond. So what has been the key to our success? Hard work, plain and simple. Like any relationship in our lives, being a member of OSIA requires maintenance and dedication. Like marriage, with a little sacrifice, and if we all contribute, we will be able to achieve our goals that the founders set forth 50 years ago.