A.E.A.O.N.M.S. HISTORY

History of the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine

The Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine of North and South America and its Jurisdictions, Inc. have 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, John G. Jones and his associates organized the Imperial Grand Council of Prince Hall Shriners. John G. Jones, who was an attorney, immediately went about organizing Prince Hall Shrine Temples in Los Angeles, California; Washington, District of Columbia; 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: The 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 there 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 Shrine Family has a membership of approximately 35,000 in some 242 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, Bahamas, and the Virgin Islands. 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:

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• 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 Grand 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.

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