Shriners Make a Difference

By Victoria Beck Senior Editor and Writer Shriners Hospitals for Children and Shriners International The Shriners fraternity, Shriners International, is a Masonic organization based on service to others, fun, and fellowship whose members are dedicated to the principles of brotherly love, relief, and truth. What began in 1872 with 13 members is now a worldwide organization with 198 temples and thousands of clubs throughout the world. Shriners can be found on six continents.

The Shriners fraternity founded Shriners Hospitals for Children® as its official philanthropy, opening its first facility in 1922 in Shreveport, Louisiana. Since then, Shriners Hospitals for Children has grown into one of the finest pediatric specialty health care systems in the world. Thanks to the dedication and hard work of members of the Shriners International fraternity, this unique, compassionate health care system is now a multi-facility system stretching across three countries, and offering pediatric specialty care for orthopedic conditions, burn injuries, spinal cord injuries and cleft lip and palate, regardless of the families’ ability to pay for services. Over time, Shriners Hospitals for Children has provided hope and healing to more than 1.4 million children. There is a Shriners Hospital in St. Louis.

Shriners are not only dedicated to their philanthropy; they also enjoy fun and fellowship. Each of the Shriners temples has many units and clubs for members that offer a variety of experiences and activities, including musical performing and parading, leisure activities and recreation, social events and more. Members can also “Build Your Own Experience” - create a club, and ask fellow members to join in. There are four Shrine Temples in Missouri.

Moolah shriners, st. louis, Missouri

Moolah Shriners was chartered in 1886 and was the 26th temple established. Moolah Shriners had its inception in East St. Louis, Illinois. Ten nobles of Medinah Shriners in Chicago, Illinois, met weekly to dine at the Stockyard Hotel and decided to form a Shriners temple in St. Louis. In the early years, Moolah Shriners’ meetings were held at a variety of locations in the city. In 1912, Potentate Walter Ashton assisted by his officers, acted toward building a home for Moolah Shriners. Groundbreaking took place Sept. 11, 1912, at midnight with a ceremony illuminated by colored lighted torches. The cornerstone laying was at midnight, Oct. 21, 1913, and Moolah held its first meeting in the new building on March 18, 1914, with dedicatory ceremonies held on April 25, 1914, and a class of 133 novices.

In 1988, Moolah sold this building and moved to a West County location on Fee Fee Road. The facility features a ballroom that can accommodate over 500 guests and an Oasis (dining room) that can seat 250. Other meeting and social gathering rooms are available for its 17 units, including Noble Lodge 684 as well as a gymnasium and soccer field for sports activities used by DeMolay and Job’s Daughters. There are 10 clubs in Moolah’s area. »

ararat shriners, Kansas city, Missouri

Ararat Shriners was chartered in 1888 – the 38th temple established. The first meetings of Ararat Shrine were held in the offices of Mr. Ethelbert F. Allen. Since then, the temple has had various meeting places. Since 1971, the temple has been located at I-435 and Eastwood Trafficway.

Four Imperial Potentates (CEOs of the fraternity) have come from Ararat Shrine, including Frank S. Land, the founder of DeMolay International in 195455. President Harry S. Truman was a noble of Ararat Shrine and Harry S. Truman Lodge 1941 is housed there. Ararat’s first Shriners Hospital Transportation van was purchased in 1985, and since then hundreds of thousands of miles have been driven transporting children to the Shriners Hospital in St. Louis. Ararat Shriners continue to be a presence in the community, including ushering in “The Festival of Trees” at a local shopping mall in 2020.

Moila shriners, st. Joseph, Missouri

Moila Shriners was chartered in 1889 – the 45th temple established. Moila purchased their property in 1922, and added more land as needed; the last tract of land was added in 1949. The Moila facility currently consists of 103 acres in midtown St. Joseph and is the home of one of Northwest Missouri’s finest country clubs. In 1934, a three-story brick building was erected, costing $65,000. The original obligation was paid in full in 1945. In 1957, two floors were added to the north side of the building, and in 1961, a third floor was added, making the present building size 39,600 square feet. Moila Shriners owned actual live camels in the past. The animals were part of Imperial Session (national convention) parades at various locations in the United States from 1903 to 1914.

Moila has approximately 1200 members and we encourage you to join this great fraternity where “Fun With A Purpose” is experienced regularly.

abou Ben adhem shriners, springfield, Missouri

Abou Ben Adem was chartered in 1903 – the 89th temple established. The first meeting was on October 15, 1903, in the Ararat Shriners temple of Kansas City. Three years later, the members voted to construct an auditorium to serve as the home of the newly created Abou Ben Adhem Shriners. The cost of construction in 1920 was $600,000 – in 2020, that cost would exceed $7.8 million! On November 3, 1923, the Shrine building was dedicated. The auditorium can seat 3,200 and the lower-level event area can hold 1,300 occupants.

Over the years, the building has hosted numerous community events including circuses, telethons, concerts, and Presidential visits (Truman, Roosevelt, and Reagan). The building is still used for events and concerts. Abou Ben Adhem Shriners has more than 20 Shrine clubs located in cities throughout the jurisdiction providing members with local events and fellowship, as well as 28 units including bands, clowns, and specialized cars.

To learn more about the Shriners fraternity, please visit shrinersinternational.org. To learn about becoming a Shriner, please visit beashrinernow.com.