A History of the Oriental Shriners

As written by Jeffrey Lindstrand PP and Byron Moak PP

The Oriental Shriners were founded on February 21, 1877 as Oriental Temple AAONMS. According to the original minutes book, the first meeting was presided over by Illustrious Noble Jesse B. Anthony 33°, Grand Potentate by virtue of a dispensation dated February 7, 1877, and issued by the Imperia Grand Council of the Ancient Arabic Order of the nobles of the Mystic Shrine (the original name of the Shriners). He proceeded to organize Oriental Temple by appointing subordinate officers. Then the Grand Potentate declared Oriental Temple duly organized and in order for the transaction of business. Three days later on February 24th a second meeting was held and nine names were proposed for membership and duly accepted. Each member paid dues of $ 1.00 to join. From these humble beginnings, with its’ updated name of Oriental Shriners in 2002, the organization has continued to thrive for 144 years.

On April 25, 1887, 215 members of Mecca Temple of New York City (the very first Shrine Temple) came to Troy to confer the degrees on 63 candidates for Oriental Temple, 3 for Mecca Temple, and 1 for Cyprus Temple. The degrees were conferred by Illustrious Noble Walter M. Fleming, Grand Potentate, one of the founding fathers of the Ancient and Arabic Order of the Noble and Mystic Shrine. Over 350 people were in attendance.

On July 3, 1903, Oriental Temple instituted Cairo Temple of Rutland, VT, and the charter was granted July 9, 1903.

During World War I, two of our members died in service. Shortly after the war ended, membership in the Temple soared. In 1919 201 new members were enlisted. In 1920 384 new members, 1921 410 new members, and 1922 158 new members were added. At this point there were 2793 members of the Oriental Shriners.

In 1922 Shriners International opened the first Hospital for Crippled Children in Shreveport Louisiana. Eventually they would open 22 Hospitals. When the Springfield Children’s Hospital was opened February 21, 1925, Oriental Temple made a sizeable appearance. Per a quote from the day. “Our Temple with its Band, Patrol, and a large number of nobles participated in the Hospital’s dedication… where the fine appearance…was specially commented upon.” At the Imperial Session of 1923, held in Washington DC, the Oriental Band was recognized as having the most unique costumes in the Imperial parade. The Band was later recognized as the best band in a competition of over 170 bands. Naming Oriental as the best Band was Imperial Band Master John Philip Sousa.

On Monday May 9, 1927, the Oriental Shriners celebrated its 50th anniversary with a full day of events. There was a Ceremonial Session at the Troy Masonic Hall at 2:00 pm followed by a parade at 5:00 pm. A Golden Jubilee Dinner was held at the Hendrick Hudson Hotel at 6:00 pm. At 8:00 pm at the Music Hall a celebration was held and the main speaker was W. Freeland Kendrick, who was the Mayor of Philadelphia and the founder of the Hospitals for Crippled Children. At 10:00 pm, everyone headed back to the Hendrick Hudson Hotel for entertainment and dancing.

In March 1942 during World War II, a unique Ceremonial was held. The Oriental Shriners named General Douglas MacArthur (a Shriner) as an honorary member. His honorary membership paperwork, a special resolution and a special telegram were forwarded to him.

On April 29, 1950, Oriental and Cyprus Temples jointly held the Harold Lloyd Ceremonial. Lloyd was a world famous Actor and Comedian. He was also the Imperial Potentate and was making an official visit to the area. 65 novices were initiated at the Troy Masonic Temple. Then everyone was conveyed by bus to the Albany Masonic Temple for dinner. A parade was then held from the Albany City Hall to the Washington Avenue Armory for an evening program. During that program, Illustrious Potentate Lloyd was made an honorary member of Oriental Shriners.

Oriental’s Diamond Jubilee and Ceremonial was conducted at Lake Placid on May 17, 1952. Guests from nine different Temples attended and a full day’s program was presented.

In October 1965, Oriental partnered with Karnak, Cyprus, Cairo, Kalurah and Melha Temples to host a joint Fall Ceremonial in Montreal. Nearly 700 Nobles and their families were in attendance as 57 novices became Shriners. Guests of honor included Imperial Potentate Barney W. Collins of Mexico, and the Grand Master of Masons of the Province of Quebec. This was truly an international function.

Our Centennial Celebration and Ceremonial was held in Lake Placid at the Lake Placid Club on Saturday May 28, 1977. The day was filled with celebrating by the 600 attendees and 75 new candidates. Representatives from 12 other Temples attended and marched in a parade through the Town. There were 6 separate hospitality rooms operating. Rumor has it that they were all well attended. In the year of our 100th Anniversary, 100 new Nobles were created.

In 1989, a cornerstone was laid for the new hospital facility in Springfield. IIIustrious Lewis O. Slocum included mementos in the space allotted for Oriental. The dedication of the new Shriners Children’s Hospital took place on September 29, 1991. IIIustrious Sir Robert A. Rabe and many Nobles and their Ladies also attended.

On November 1, 1992, ground was broken for the expansion and revamping of the Boston Burns Hospital. Potentate Richard Pelham was in attendance along with IIIustrious Charles Pederson PP, III Raymond E. Bailey PP and future Potentate William Fagg. The new expansion was dedicated in 1995, when III. Charles Fake was Potentate.

In 1997, the Shriners observed their 125th Anniversary and the Shriners Hospitals their 75th Anniversary.

In the millennium year 2000, Ill. Dan Murray was Potentate, the New York Ontario Shrine Association fall meeting was held in Saratoga Springs. III. Craig Cashman PP served as NYOSA President that year as the association hosted Imperial Potentate Edward Smith.

In 2002 Ill. Paul D. Marinello was installed as Potentate. A highlight of his tenure in office was the Cruise to Alaska hosted by Ill. Sir Paul and his Lady Billie following the Imperial Session in Vancouver, BC.

In 2003, with III. L. John Garhartt Potentate, the nobility voted to accept the offer by the Lansingburgh Masonic Temple Association to rent with the option to buy for a two-year period. The Temple Offices were moved from Troy Masonic Temple Association Building to the Lansingburgh facility.

2004 was a landmark year for the Oriental Shiners. III. Stephen R. Flatt became the first son of a potentate to become the Potentate of Oriental Temple. His father, III. James Flatt PP (1999) presented him with his fez at this installation. The year began with the nobility voting for the purchase of the Lansingburgh Masonic Temple. The closing took place in 2005, when III. Richard Lebowich was Potentate.

At the Potentate’s Ball in 2006, Oriental Temple and Potentate III. Byron Moak had the privilege of hosting the Grand Master of Masons for the State of New York; this year also saw the first positive membership gain in years.

Oriental Shriners Today

The Oriental Shriners of today look very different than their predecessors in many ways. Membership is down below 300 members, which is reflective of the national trends in both Masonry and Shriners International. Fewer members does not mean that we do less however. We still cover our territory which contains all of northeast New York from Troy north and east to the Vermont and Canadian borders, and west to the center of the Adirondacks. We now meet in a building that we own at 75 Water Plant Rd., Troy NY. The Balls and Ceremonials may draw smaller crowds, but they are still fun, elegant and popular events. The Oriental Shriners continue to be an important asset to Shriners International. We raise thousands of dollars for the Hospitals. We have transported hundreds of patients and their family members to the Hospitals for treatment. We remain very active in the community and keep the Shriners brand relevant and recognizable to the public.

The Oriental Shriners are supported by multiple local clubs which are the backbone of the organization. They are located in Glens Falls, Saratoga, Plattsburgh (Norco), Cambridge, Troy, Schenectady (shared with Cyprus) and Adirondack (also shared with Cyprus). Many of these Clubs meet regularly for a monthly or quarterly dinner meeting and social hour. The Clubs raise funds for the Temple and the Hospitals and help to publicize the Shriners.

The Oriental Shriners have several active parade units including the NORCO Clowns, the Oriental Patrol, the Keystone Kops, and the Mini Car Unit. These units are well known to parade organizers and are highly sought after for their entertainment value. To this add 2 Transport Vans, the rotating Fez trailer (the Fez is 6 feet tall and rotates), and the Rocking Chair Float. All of these appear in parades starting early in February (Saranac Lake Winter Festival Parade) and lasting until late December (Salem Christmas Parade). Combined the units and the Temple appear in multiple parades each year. Each appearance promotes the Shriners and spreads a cheerful atmosphere to the viewers. Both the Keystone Kops and the Norco Clowns donate thousands of dollars to the Hospitals and the Hospital Transportation fund every year, based upon donations they receive for entertaining the crowds during the parades..

Oriental is also very active at many community events. They sell T-shirts at the Annual Lake George Polar Plunge on New Year’s Day (profits go to Springfield Hospital), sell vidalia onions in the spring, host a community wide Basket Raffle, and participate in many other community events. They keep an active social media presence and proudly display their Fezes whenever it is appropriate. They also appear at certain concerts at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, where some concert performers provide fundraising opportunities for Shriners Hospitals.

The community highlight of the year for both Shriners and the public is the Annual Circus season. Each year during the summer, Oriental sponsors a professional Circus to come to the area and hold several shows at various locations over several days. There are usually 6-10 days of shows, usually with 2 shows scheduled for each day. At each of these shows, Shriner hosts hand out free kids tickets, clown noses, coloring books, and programs for all attendees. In addition there are usually Clowns and/or Keystone Kops to assist and entertain attendees even before they enter the Big Top. This is always a fun time for both young and older fans. This is also the Temples biggest fundraiser.

One of the highlights of the year for many Shriners is the Annual Imperial Session held in July of each year. Cities hosting the event have included Daytona Beach, Houston, Kansas City, Reno and many other cities. All 200 Temples from all over the world attend this 5 day event and Oriental always has a large contingent in attendance. The Temple arranges for our local participants to stay together. While the Officers attend the business meetings during the day, the other attendees explore the city and enjoy whatever they like. Then we all get together for dinner and later meet in the hospitality room for fun, snacks and fellowship.

The Oriental Shriners have a very active Hospital Transportation Unit. Over the past few years, the volunteer Shriner drivers and riders have taken between 60-82 trips per year to Shriner’s Hospitals (trips were paused during the COVID pandemic for safety reasons). Each trip picks up a patient and their family at their home and takes them to the Hospital for their appointment, then waits until they are ready to return and drives them home. If the patient has to stay overnight, they are dropped off and then the driver returns on their discharge date and returns them home. This is done at no cost to the patient or their family. Patients who can find transportation, but need financial assistance, are reimbursed for gas and tolls. Oriental has a 6 passenger van and a 10 passenger van for use. There is a roster of Drivers and Riders consisting fully of volunteers (Drivers must be a Shriner). The Temple has a separate Hospital Transportation Fund that covers all expenses.