Information Sheet

 

 

R         Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.  Abou Ben Adhem

827         Temple (Springfield, Mo.).

                        Newsletters, 1950-1977.

                                    Five items.

 

 

 

These are newsletters for October 1950, June 1953, January-February 1968, April 1970, and April 1977 for Abou Ben Adhem Temple, a chapter of the “Shriners,” at Springfield in Greene County, Missouri.

 

The Ancient Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine is a component of Freemasonry.  Its “Nobles,” or members, organized in regional Temples and local Shrine Clubs, are popularly called “Shriners.”  Membership is restricted to Master Masons who have undertaken advanced degrees (Knights Templar in the York Rite and 32º and above in the Scottish Rite).  Abou Ben Adhem Temple in Springfield, which was instituted in 1903, serves a large area in southwestern and south-central Missouri.  Its impressive Shrine Mosque, completed in 1923, is a National Reg­ister property located at 601 St. Louis Street in downtown Springfield.  In January 1968 Abou Ben Ad­hem Temple had 3789 members in good standing, and the membership had grown to 5710 in April 1977, although 1134 Nobles had not yet paid their annual dues.

 

These newsletters contain news items about the Temple and its local affiliates, along with many advertisements for local businesses.  Hal S. Fanning served as Illustrious Potentate (“presi­dent”) in 1950, Russell L. Wilcox assumed that role in 1953, F. T. H’Doubler held the office in 1968, Edwin C. Rice, Jr., served in that capacity for 1970, and Thomas E. Cochran, M.D., served in 1977.  The is­sue for April 1970 includes obituaries for Edwin C. Rice, Sr. (1891-1970) and F. Guy Evans (1887-1970).  Published in magazine format, the issue for October 1950 has 12 pages, June 1953 (“50th Anniversary” issue) has 24 pages, January-February 1968 has 20 pages, April 1970 has 16 pages, and the issue for April 1977 is 24 pages in length.  The special issue of June 1953 includes a history of the Temple.

 

 

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