What is a shrine club

Shriners International is, at its most basic level, a fraternity.

It all started in Manhattan in 1870 when some members of what’s considered the world’s oldest fraternity – Masonry – were hanging out at their favorite tavern. They felt that Masonry, which traces its roots to stonemasons and craftsmen of the Middle Ages, was a tad too focused on ritual. These guys wanted a fraternity that stressed fun and fellowship.

Two of those gentlemen – Walter M Fleming, M.D., and Billy Florence, an actor – took that idea and ran with it. Florence came up with the idea for a Near Eastern-themed party after attending a party thrown by an Arabian diplomat. Fleming added the structure, drafting the fraternity’s name, initiation rites, rituals and rules. Together, Fleming and Florence designed the fraternity’s emblem, devised a salutation and determined that the red fez with the black tassel would be the group’s official headgear.

The first chapter, Mecca Shriners, met in New York City in 1872. As word got out about the fledgling organization, membership grew rapidly, spreading across the U.S. In the early 1900s, membership spread into Canada, Mexico and Panama. Today there are approximately 325,000 Shriners belonging to 195 chapters in Canada, the U.S., Mexico, the Republics of Panama and Philippines, Germany, and Puerto Rico.

Shriners International a fraternity based on fun, fellowship and the Masonic principles of brotherly love, relief and truth, founded Shriners Hospitals for Children in 1922 as its official philanthropy. The fraternity, which has approximately 325,000 members worldwide, continues to operate and support the 22-hospital health care system today. Shriners International continues to support the hospitals by raising funds, assisting patients’ families with transportation, volunteering on hospital boards and much more.

Children from birth age to 18 receive expert specialty medical care at these hospitals, regardless of our patient’s or family’s ability to pay, thanks to the efforts of Shriners and other generous supporters. In addition, many Shriners Hospitals of Children facilities are engaged in medical research and are affiliated with the top academic medical institutions in North America.

Interested in becoming a Shriner? Go to http://www.beashrinernow.com/

Shriners, or Shrine Masons, belong to the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine for North America (A.A.O.N.M.S.). The Shrine is an international Fraternity of approximately 500,000 members who belong to Shrine Centers throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and Republic of Panama. Founded in New York City in 1872, the organization is composed solely of Master Masons.

The Shrine is best known for its colorful parades, its distinctive red fez, and its official philanthropy, the Shriners Hospitals for Children, which is often called “the heart and soul of the Shrine.”

Members of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine for North America are members of the Masonic Order and adhere to the principles of Freemasonry — Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.

Freemasonry dates back hundreds of years to when stonemasons and other craftsmen on building projects gathered in shelter houses or lodges. Through the years these gatherings changed in many ways until formal Masonic lodges emerged, with members bound together not by trade, but by their own wishes to be fraternal brothers. There is no higher degree in Freemasonry than that of Master Mason (the Third Degree).

The Founders of the Shrine knew they needed an appealing theme for their new Order, so they chose the Arabic (near East) theme. The most noticeable symbol of Shrinedom is the distinctive red fez that all Shriners wear at official functions. Shriners are men who enjoy life. They enjoy parades, trips, circuses, dances, dinners, sporting events and other social occasions together. Furthermore, Shriners support what has become known as the “World’s Greatest Philanthropy”, Shriners Hospitals for Children. Through fellowship and philanthropy, Shrinedom strengthens the soul and adds inner-meaning to daily life. It thus spreads a glow of joy through one’s entire family. Men from all walks of life and all levels of income find fun, fellowship and relaxation in their individual Shrine Centers and its activities. There are also regional Shrine Clubs in many communities. Family picnics, dances and scheduled day trips are — just a few of the activities available to club members. For the Noble desiring even more activity, there are various Units that he can join, such as: Motor Patrol, Brass Band, Oriental Band, Motor Patrol, Horse Patrol, and Clown unit. Every effort is made to be sure a Noble has a variety of activities from which he may choose.

There are 191 Shrine Centers located in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Republic of Panama. And there are informal Shrine Clubs located all around the world.

Why Do Shriners Wear a Fez?

The red fez with a black tassel, the Shrine’s most distinctive symbol, has been handed down through the ages. It derives its name from the place where it was first manufactured – the holy city of Fez, Morocco. The fez was chosen as part of the Shrine’s Arabic (Near East) theme, around which the color and pageantry of the Shrine are developed.

What is Masonry and What is its Connection to the Shrine?

In order to become a Shriner, a man must first become a Master Mason. The fraternity of Freemasonry is the oldest, largest and most widely known fraternity in the world. It dates back hundreds of years to when stonemasons and other craftsmen on building projects gathered in shelter houses, or lodges. Over the years, formal Masonic lodges emerged, with members bound together not by trade, but by their own desire to be fraternal brothers.

The basic unit of Masonry is the Blue Lodge, where members earn the first three Masonic degrees. There is no higher degree than that of Master Mason (the Third Degree), but for those men who wish to further explore the allegory and symbolism learned in the Blue Lodge, the Scottish Rite and York Rite elaborate on the basic tenets of Freemasonry.

Click the "donate" button on the right to make a donation to the Gadsden Shrine Club. This money will help us fulfill our mission of assisting children in need of medical care by the Shriners Hospitals for Children. If you want to know more about our Philanthropy, additional information is below.

Once we receive your donation, we will send you tax receipt in the mail. We thank you for your donation in advance.

Shriners International is a fraternity based on fun, fellowship and the Masonic principles of brotherly love, relief and truth with nearly 200 temples (chapters or Shrine Centers) in seven countries and thousands of clubs around the world. Our fraternity is open to men of integrity from all walks of life.

Shriners International also supports Shriners Hospitals for Children®, a health system of 22 facilities dedicated to providing pediatric medical care, world-class research and educational opportunities for medical professionals.

Shriners International, previously known as the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (A.A.O.N.M.S.) and also commonly known as Shriners, was established in 1870, and is an appendant body to Freemasonry.

Shriners International includes a membership of approximately 340,000 members from 195 temples or Shrine Centers that spans across North America, Central America, South America, Europe and Southeast Asia. We are best known for our primary philanthropy, the Shriners Hospitals for Children, and famously recognizable red fezzes.

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In 1870 a group of Masons gathered frequently for lunch at the Knickerbocker Cottage on Sixth Avenue in New York City. At a special table on the second floor a particularly fun-loving group of men met regularly. Among the regulars were Walter M. Fleming, M.D. and William J. “Billy” Florence, an actor. The group frequently talked about starting a new fraternity for Masons – one centered on fun and fellowship, more than ritual.

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In order to become a Shriner, a man must first be a Master Mason. The fraternity of Freemasonry is the oldest, largest and most widely known fraternity in the world. It dates back hundreds of years to a time when stonemasons and other craftsmen on building projects gathered in shelter houses, or lodges. Over the years formal Masonic lodges emerged, with members bound together not by trade, but by their desire to be fraternal brothers.

Click the picture above to find out more.

Shriners Hospitals for Children has a mission to:

Provide the highest quality care to children with neuromusculoskeletal conditions, burn injuries and other special healthcare needs within a compassionate, family-centered and collaborative care environment.
Provide for the education of physicians and other healthcare professionals.
Conduct research to discover new knowledge that improves the quality of care and quality of life of children and families.

This mission is carried out without regard to race, color, creed, sex or sect, disability, national origin or ability of a patient or family to pay.

Become the best at transforming children’s lives by providing exceptional healthcare through innovative research, in a patient and family centered environment.

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There are many benefits to becoming a Shriner.

Membership in a well-known fraternal organization recognized for its social and philanthropic activities.
Opportunity to develop lasting relationships with like minded men from all over the world
Engage in social activities and events that are available for the entire family. Participate in many special interest groups with Shriners that allow like minded men to enjoy a little high-spirited fun. Motorcycles, trap shooting, parades, golf, flying and sports cars are all examples of these types of groups
The privilege of supporting the "world’s greatest philanthropy,” Shriners Hospitals for Children®, offers Shriners many opportunities to find personal fulfillment and satisfaction

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