THE ORIGIN OF THE PRINCE HALL MYSTIC SHRINE IN THE UNITED STATES
BY PAST IMPERIAL POTENTATE, BOOKER T ALEXANDER 33º
John George Jones was an attorney at law in Chicago, Illinois, and a high-ranking officer of the United Supreme Council, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Prince Hall Affiliation, for the Southern Masonic Jurisdiction.
The names of those associated with John G. Jones in the founding of the Order of the Mystic Shrine for Prince Hall Masons in America were John W. Dunmore, Payton Randolph, Elijah W. Totten, James Barber, Charles F. Thomas, Joseph Winn, Isaac Colbert, Benjamin Kersey, John B. Foster, Joseph Shieve and J.H. Blount. On the date of June 3, 1893, John G. Jones and his associates organized Palestine Temple of Chicago, Illinois. On June 10, 1893, John O. Jones organized and established the Imperial Grand Council at Chicago, Illinois, and he was named the Imperial Grand Potentate.
Following this organizational structuring, Mystic Shrine Temples were organized and instituted during the remaining months of the year 1893 at Indianapolis, Indiana; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Alexandria, Vir¬ginia; Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles, California; Richmond, Virginia; Jacksonville, Florida; Cleveland, Ohio; Baltimore, Maryland; New York, New York; Providence, Rhode island; St. Louis and Kansas City, Missouri, August 17, 1894. The first session of the Imperial Grand Council, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine was convened in Chicago, Illinois, December26, 1893. The second annual session was convened in the city of Kansas City, Missouri, August 17, 1894.
REORGANIZATION.Because of existing conditions, during the month of September, 1899, Isaac L.W. Holland, the Illustrious Potentate of Pyramid Temple of Philadelphia, and other interested members of the Order, joined in a call for a convention of all Mystic Shrine Temples, the object being to decide upon the future course of the Order, that they might perpetuate the Order in a legal manner. Responsive to the call were representatives of Pyramid Temple, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Magnus Temple, Alexandria, Virginia; and Sahara Temple, Pittsburgh, Pennsyl-vania. After solemn and deliberate consideration, the representatives of the Temples specified above decided to reorganize the Imperial Council, this being considered the most reasonable method of solving the major problems.
Therefore, on December 12, 1900, in the city of Philadelphia, the representatives of the aforementioned Mystic Shrine Temples of the Order met and organized the present Imperial Council, adopting the name and title of the "Imperial Council of the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of North and South America and its Jurisdictions."
THE FOLLOWING OFFICERS WERE ELECTED AND INSTALLED:
Isaac L. W. Holland, Philadelphia, PA - Imperial Potentate;
H.T. Hilyard, Philadelphia, PA - Imperial Deputy Potentate
R.D. Ruffin, Alexandra, VA - Imperial Chief Rabban
C.A. Knox, Pittsburgh, PA - Imperial Assistant Rabban
Hiram Carter, Philadelphia, PA - Imperial High Priest & Prophet
John W. Smothers, West Chester, PA - Imperial Treasurer
Magnus Robinson, Alexandria, VA - Imperial Recorder
E.A. Turpin, Camden, NJ - Imperial Assistant Recorder
J.H. Jones, Alexandria, VA - Imperial Oriental Guide
W.H. Breckett, West Chester, PA - Imperial Chief of Patrols
W.H. Jones, Pittsburgh, PA - Imperial 1st Ceremonial Master
J.E. Loveland, Camden, NJ - Imperial 2nd Ceremonial Master
James Spriggs, Philadelphia, PA - Imperial Outer Guard
W.A. White, Imperial First Steward
John Stokes, Camden, NJ - Imperial Second Steward
A.F. Carroll, Pittsburgh, PA - Imperial Captain of the Guard.
The first annual session of the newly reorganized Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine was convened in the city of Newark, New Jersey. On September 25, 1901 A constitution for the Order, which a committee had been appointed to draft during the December 12, 1900 session, was formally adopted during the Newark, New Jersey, its first annual session. During this first annual session the imperial Council defined the organization as a CHARITABLE and SOCIAL organization dedicated to the welfare and extension of Prince Hall Masonry, which was adopted as its primary principle and guide.
By this constitution, it was decreed that membership in the Order be con¬fined to regular Free Masons who were members of Lodges descended from African Lodge No.459, more commonly known as Prince Hall Masons. In addition thereto, they must be Knights Templar and members in good standing of regular K. T. Commandery or a thirty-second degree Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Mason in some Consistory under the jurisdiction of the United Supreme Council of either the Northern or Southern Masonic Jurisdiction.
Looking ahead to the future, the officers of the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine decided to incorporate the organization under the federal laws relating to the District of Columbia at Washington D.C. Therefore, on the date of November 13, 1901 at 2:50p.m., Isaac L.W. Holland, Robert D. Ruffin, Magnus L. Robinson, Jesse H. Foster, Dabney Smith, J.H. Jones and C. A. Knox, appeared before the appropriate government officials in the District of Columbia to record the incorporation of the Order.
mAHOMET tEMPLE nO.134
MOTO....
Mahomet Temple No. 134
Mahomet Temple No. 134 was chartered on August 22nd 1945 by the sitting Imperial Potentate Raymond E. Jackson, Hadji Temple No. 61. Serving as the first Illustrious Potentate was Noble Edgar J. Davis, the Chief Rabban was Noble Thomas G. Welch and the Assistant Rabban was Noble James A. Anderson. The Nobility from Arabic Temple No. 44 Oasis of Chicago, Desert of Illinois and the Nobility from Elzora Temple No. 124, Oasis of Marion, Desert of Indiana conducted the first creation. Their dedication and support to the growth of shrindom made it possible for the establishment of Mahomet Temple No. 134.
Pledge of the Nobility
WE PLEDGE OURSELVES, as citizens, to conduct ourselves with due propriety, conforming to our established laws, in cooperation with our nation and its authorized officials.
WE PLEDGE OURSELVES, to maintain exacting high standards in our respective community life, that "DEMOCRACY" may become a living reality.
WE PLEDGE OURSELVES, to the promotion, along with other thoughtful citizens, of modern and practical legislation enacted by any government agency, that will redound to the benefit of our "AMERICAN" way of life.
WE PLEDGE OURSELVES, to support duly constituted authority for the elimination of anti-social conditions, wherever found to exist, that we and all other people may enjoy a rich, round and full life.
WE PLEDGE OURSELVES, to morally support and encourage every social agency, that has for its purpose the maintenance of the highest ideals of the people of the nation.
WE PLEDGE OURSELVES, to cooperate fully in disseminating "TRUTH", among the people of the earth, to the end that "DEMOCRACY" shall prevail forever, and the peace of every nation be preserved.
The Worldwide Fraternal Shrine Family has a membership of approximately 35,000 in some 227 Shrine Temples and 200 Courts, its women's auxiliary, the Daughters of Isis, throughout the Continental United States, Canada, Germany, Italy, England, Spain, Hawaii, Japan, Korea, Guam, Thailand, Panama, and the Bahamas. The Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine is primarily a benevolent, charitable and fraternal organization, Its membership is dedicated to the principle of fostering civic, economic and educational development programs throughout the world.
The Fraternal Order has fostered the following programs:
•Annual grants of thousands of dollars to the Prince Hall Shrine Health and Medical Research Foundation.
•Annual grants to several institutions of higher learning and to hospitals throughout the United States for Medical research.
•A National Scholarship Grant Program for young ladies between the ages of 17-24 to attend college and universities of their choice.
•Annual Educational Grants for economically deprived youths.
•A program of financial aid to youth in their fight against drugs, crimes, and delinquency.
•Annual grants to the N.A.A.C.P., the Legal Defense Fund, and the United Negro College Fund.
•Support summer camps for youth.
•Voter education and registration drives.
•Establishment of and maintaining dialogue with White House officials, Congress men, and national leaders on various issues affecting African-Americans and others.
OUR WORK
Is Tried and True.
Mahomet Temple No. 134
A.E.A.O.N.M.S.
CONTACT
MAHOMET TEMPLE #134
3711 PULASKI ST.,
EAST CHICAGO, IN 46312
Phone: (219) 316-1707
Email: Mahomettemple134@gmail.com
