901-395-0150
Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine
North and South America and its Jurisdictions Incorporated
PRINCE HALL SHRINEDOM embraces all of the basic fundamental
concepts of the Masonic Order, but is more colorful, with a
broader spectrum of visibility by the manner in which it
dispenses charity in the community, and the care for its
own.
John George Jones, the founder, is said to have been
introduced to the ritualistic mysteries of the Order by one
Ali Rofelt Pasha, Deputy and representative from the Grand
Council of Arabia, during the World's Colombian Exposition
in Chicago in 1893.
Shrinedom, because of its pageantry, has on occasions been
referred to as the "Display" House in Masonry, causing men
to sometimes join the prerequisite Houses solely with the
intent on becoming a Shriner.
There are 224 Constituent Temples throughout the Imperial
Domain (the World), with a membership of over 25,000 - and
growing.
Shrinedom is thought of as a Fraternal, Social, and
Charitable Organization: FRATERNAL in the sense of using
passwords and symbols to remind the members to ever strive
for inner self-improvement; SOCIAL from the standpoint of
the enjoyment of good times within its own ranks; and
CHARITABLE for its unselfish giving of goods and services on
both the local and national level.
Heading the list of recipients is the NAACP, the Legal
Defense Fund, the Urban League, and United Negro College
Fund, along with Annual Grants to several institutions of
higher learning and hospitals throughout the land, for
medical and other research projects.
Substantial grants are awarded to colleges annually to
supplement the education of economically deprived youth,
along with a program of financial aid to fight drugs, crime
and delinquency. There is also a national scholarship grant
program for young ladies between the ages of 17 and 24 to
attend colleges and universities of their choice. They also
strongly endorse the Assault on Illiteracy (AOIP), amid an
engagement in development programs with Third World
Countries.
The Shrine Organization is 123 years old and takes great
pride in its Auxiliary, which is composed of wives, sisters,
mothers and daughters of the membership - officially styled,
the Imperial Court.
They are 106 years old and mirror, in some respect, the
activities of the parent body. Both share offices in the
organization's Headquarters Building located in Memphis,
Tennessee.
The Shrine is headed by the Imperial Potentate, and the
Imperial Court by the Imperial Commandress. The red Fez is worn
by the men and the white Fez by the women, both of whom are
community oriented - and definitely on the move!
The Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine of
North and South America and Its Jurisdictions, Inc. has a
long and colorful history. The order was established as an
Imperial Council of Prince Hall Shriners on June 3, 1893, in
Chicago, Illinois, by 13 Prince Hall Masons under the
leadership of John George Jones. They met in the Apollo Hall
on State Street where Palestine Temple was organized. On
June l0, 1893, Jones and his associates organized the
Imperial Grand Council of Prince Hall Shriners. Jones, who
was an attorney, immediately went about organizing Prince
Hall Shrine Temples in Los Angeles, California, Washington
D.C., Jacksonville, Florida, Indianapolis, Indiana,
Baltimore, Maryland, Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri,
New York City, New York, Cleveland, Ohio, Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, Providence, Rhode Island, Alexandria and
Richmond, Virginia. In September of 1889, Isaac L.W.
Holland, the Illustrious Potentate of Pyramid Temple in
Philadelphia, sent out a call to members of Prince Hall
Shrine Temples within the nation to meet with him for the
purpose of reorganizing the Imperial Grand Council. On
December 12, 1900, a meeting was held in Philadelphia with
officers and members attending from Temples in Philadelphia,
Pittsburgh, and from Alexandria, Virginia, At this meeting
the Imperial Council was reorganized and the order adopted a
new name: Imperial Council of the Ancient Egyptian Arabic
Order Nobles Mystic Shrine of North and South America and
its Jurisdiction, Incorporated.
The first annual session of the newly organized Imperial
Council was held on September 25, 1901, in Newark, New
Jersey, it was here that a Constitution was formally
adopted, establishing the fraternity as it is today, and
designating the Imperial Council as a charitable,
benevolent, fraternal. and social organization, dedicated to
the welfare and extension of Prince Hall Freemasonry, and
decreeing that membership in the order be confined to
regular freemasons who were members of lodges descended from
African Lodge #459 (African Lodge #459 established on
September 29, 1784, was formally African Lodge #l formed on
July 3, 1776; Massachusetts).
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 Imperial Court,
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:
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.
Please click here to view our National Jubilee Day Celebration.