About Aladdin Shrine

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ABOUT THE SHRINERS

The Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (A.A.O.N.M.S.) was founded in 1872 as a fun organization, and has been called the playground of Masons. The Shrine, as the organization is informally known, remains such today, but, along with having fun, its Nobles have established the world’s greatest philanthropy. Today the Shrine owns and operates numerous orthopedic hospitals for crippled children and burns institutes for burned children. Treatment at a Shriners Hospital is provided without regard to race, creed, or color and is fully paid for by the Shrine. Nobles have provided treatment for more than a half-million children.

What might be called the serious side of the Shrine had its beginning in 1914 when the Imperial Council appointed a committee to consider establishing a tuberculosis sanitarium for afflicted children of Shriners. The proposal was rejected a year later, but it had set Shriners to thinking and planning. A proposal was made in 1919 for the Shrine to do something for friendless, orphaned, and crippled children, and, after much planning, the first Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children opened in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1922. The growth and success of this great philanthropy has been possible by the efforts of Shriners throughout North America.

Having fun and caring for orthopedically challenged and burned children are two excellent reasons for being a Shriner and being proud of it.

Today Aladdin Shrine is one of the largest Shrine Centers under Shriners International.

Our Clubs, Units, and Events

Aladdin is proud of our affiliated Shrine Clubs and Units, all active and productive in many ways. “Aladdin Patrol” was the first Unit organized in 1901. As membership grew and became apparent in an expanded geographical radius, much thought and planning was given toward organizing Shrine Clubs. Our early clubs came into being during the period of 1910 through 1920. Indeed it is important to recognize and document the spirited support accruing of Aladdin Shrine through the efforts of these entities.

The Aladdin Shrine Circus has become one of our annual highlights. After some years of not providing the circus program, it was revived in 1951. Each year one performance is devoted to underprivileged children of our community and jurisdiction. Hundreds of Nobles assist with care, providing refreshments and maintaining safety on behalf of these guests. Their facial expressions and spoken words tell you how wonderful it is to be a Shriner.

Aladdin’s Nobility joins Shriners everywhere in expressing gratitude for past accomplishments and may our future continue happy and successful as our philanthropy provides healing and happiness to many.

The Places We Have Called Home

Originally, Aladdin Shrine, Scottish and York Rite Bodies, along with Lodges of F. & A. M. shared the facilities of the Masonic Temple, 34 N. Fourth St., Columbus, Ohio for many years.

On April 1, 1978, Aladdin Shrine moved into its new home, a beautiful building comfortably located in northern Columbus on 62 acres, a portion of which was mature timber. During the years since moving into that building, two Presidents of our United States–Presidents Ford and Carter–have been a part of events being conducted within the building. President Ford, a member of Saladin Shrine in Grand Rapids, Michigan, was presented an honorary Membership in Aladdin Shrine when he was here in 1981.

In 2014, the northern Columbus location was sold and the Aladdin Shriners purchased the Grand Oaks building at 1801 Gateway Circle in Grove City Ohio. Renovations, including expansion of the building, immediately got underway. In 2015, Aladdin Shrine Center moved to Gateway Circle, where we are currently located. We have a beautiful Grand Ballroom and Oasis Lounge in our Center currently serving the needs of Shrine Units and Clubs. Our spaces are also available for service to non-members and friends. We are quite active in renting facilities with respect to business, civic and educational events.

The Origins of the Shrine

Two Masons in New York City, William J. Florence, an actor, and Walter M. Fleming, a physician, founded the Shrine. They talked about having an organization in which Masons could set aside the woes of the world and simply have a good time. During a visit to France, Florence attended a party given by the Arabian Council. He was so impressed with the pomp and color of the entertainment that, upon his return to New York, he gave Fleming a detailed account. Fleming, a 33rd Degree Mason and a Knight Templar, contrived the ritual for the new organization.

Florence, Fleming, and 11 Masonic friends met on June 16, 1872 to lay the groundwork for the Organization that would admit to membership only Knights Templar and 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Masons. On September 26, 1872, the 13 men assembled to formally organize Mecca Temple in New York City.

Membership in Mecca Temple grew and other Temples blossomed into being. By the time the Imperial Grand Council was formed in June of 1878, there were five additional Temples, including Al Koran Temple in Cleveland, and Syrian Temple in Cincinnati.

A Detailed History of the Birth of Aladdin Shrine

Noble R.R. Rickly issued a call for a meeting of the Nobles in Columbus to organize a club of Shriners and to reply to the said call. On the evening of December 7, 1887, the following Nobles met in the office of Capital City Bank with R.R. Rickly, Chairman and W.E. Joseph, Secretary:

The founding of the Shrine in Columbus, can be traced to Nobles R.R. Rickly and Clark D. Higgins, the first to receive the order in this city. Others afterwards received the order. They were all members of (our Mother Shrine) Syrian of Cincinnati, Ohio.

The object of the meeting was stated by Noble Rickly, and Columbus club of Syrian Shrine, N.M.S. was organized. The following officers of the club were elected:

“The object of this club shall be the cultivation of the social virtues of its members and their families and the prevention of the intrusion of any profane unless they shall possess the qualities of head and heart which stamp them as gentlemen.”
~ R.R. Rickly, President, Syrian Shrine, N.M.S.

With the above objective in view, the interest of the Shrine grew from day to day. A great many very pleasant social events were indulged in by the club.

During the existence of the club the following officers served:

At a meeting of the club held May 9, 1893, it was unanimously agreed that the Nobles of Columbus ask for a dispensation for a new Shrine to be known as Aladdin Shrine, and at this meeting it was unanimously agreed that Noble Jno. P. McCune should be named as the Potentate under said dispensation.

Ninety-two Nobles petitioned the Imperial Council and at the Annual Session of said Council, held June 14, 1893, a dispensation was granted.

On January 16, 1894, the first meeting of Aladdin Shrine under dispensation was held. At this meeting Noble Jno. P. McCune, Potentate, announced the appointment under said dispensation of the following officers:

There being no further business to come before this Shrine, same were closed to form by J.P. McCune, Potentate, and W.E. Joseph, Recorder.

The Shrine, with a charter list of ninety-two, during the year of dispensation admitted one hundred and ninety-two, and four by affiliation, making a total of two hundred and eighty eight. That year one Noble demitted and two died, leaving a membership of two hundred and eighty-five.

At the meeting of the Imperial Council held July 25, 1894, a charter was granted.

On September 15, 1894, the first session under the charter was held. At this session, the same officers were elected as were appointed under the dispensation.

Dates of Meetings held during 1894

In 1923, the Imperial Council Session was held in Washington D.C. The President Warren G. Harding was a member of Aladdin Shrine, as was his Secretary George B. Christian, Jr.

One afternoon during the session, the President and Mrs. Harding received the Nobility from all five Ohio Shrines in the grounds at the rear of the White House. During the afternoon, Mrs. Harding called twice for Jack Richards, Aladdin’s famous baritone to sing.

For more details about the history of Aladdin Shrine, the Shrine in general, and the World’s Greatest Philanthropy, follow the links on our links page.