Zuhrah's History
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SHRINE AND ZUHRAH
By, E. T. "Tom" Fjelde, P.P.

America … August 13,1870 … only five years after the Civil War … in the midst of the horror of reconstruction … in the throws of economic chaos of Black Friday, a great depression had the nation in its grasp!  In this gloomy atmosphere, two New York City Masons, actor William J. Florence and Dr. Walter M. Fleming felt a need for fellowship with their Masonic brothers.  A little less than a year later, they called a luncheon meeting.  America was in a "mania" over the number thirteen.  On June 16, 1871, they invited 13 Masonic brothers at 12:13 P.M. to room #13, that held 13 chairs at a popular restaurant in New York City.  The luncheon was a great success, and all in attendance wanted to continue meeting.  Florence and Fleming were charged with leadership.

In the years of the Civil War and after, America was fascinated with things that were Arab.  William Florence took a trip to Europe, and he was entertained at a lavish party that had an Arabic theme.  When he and Dr. Fleming met to organize the Masonic Luncheon club, he related his experiences from the party.  It was agreed that the club would have an Arabic motif. Dr. Fleming wrote the ritual and Mecca Temple was founded on September 26, 1872.  This marks the beginning of the Ancient Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (A.A.O.N.M.S.).

The Shrine is as American as apple pie!  It was founded on a need for fraternity and fellowship over 130 years ago.  Some of America’s Greatest citizens have been drawn to this fraternity.  Presidents: Warren G. Harding, Aladdin Temple, Columbus, Ohio; Franklin D. Roosevelt, Cyprus Temple, Albany, New York; Harry S. Truman, Aararat Temple, Kansas City, Missouri; Gerald R. Ford, Saladin Temple, Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Also, former Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, Earl Warren, P.P. Aahmes Temple, Oakland, California, was a member.

The nature of the Shrine has changed, as America has changed over the years.  Our ladies are now included in most activities, and now are being invited to come to the Ceremonial ritual, where new Nobles are created.

The first Temple, Mecca in New York City, was followed by Damascus Temple in Rochester, New York.  Zuhrah Temple was number twenty three, chartered in 1886.  Today there are 191 Temples throughout North America.  Zuhrah’s first Potentate (President) was John J. Schlener, who held the position for five years.  Now over 105 Nobles have been Zuhrah’s Potentates.  Three of Zuhrah’s Potentates have been Imperial (National) Potentates: Charles E. Ovenshire, 1917-18; A.A.D. Rahn, 1938-39; Warren F. Weck, 1978-79.  The Imperial (National) Session has been in Minneapolis five times: ‘17, ‘34, ‘57, ‘79, ‘03.

Zuhrah has made its mark on the Shrine of North America through the efforts of Noble A. M. "Cap" Shuey.  At the Imperial Sessions and at the local Ceremonials, it had become a tradition for Shriners to walk in mass through the streets of the local community after their meetings and banquets.  "Cap" Shuey, acting on a stroke of genius, organized 33 Nobles of Zuhrah into a marching unit.  He dressed them in jaunty white uniforms and they appeared at the Imperial Session in Denver in 1894.  Zuhrah Patrol was the first uniformed marching unit in Shrinedom.  Shrine parades have become legendary in America!  Today units and Shrine clubs are the backbone of every Temple. Zuhrah has 26 units and 22 Shrine clubs.

Zuhrah has had four locations in Minneapolis, and moved to 2540 Park Avenue in 1929.  The property was purchased for $25,000, which is less than half of today’s property tax burden.  Zuhrah Shrine Center has been built and rebuilt two times, but the historic mansion remains intact, as built by The Van Duesen/Harrington lumber family in 1907.  The property today is the scene of most of Zuhrah’s activities including Stated Meetings, Ceremonials, Ice Cream Social, Concerts, and many, many parties.

From the beginning, the Shrine had been involved with charities, especially a Christmas basket and cheer program for needy families.  In 1922, the first Shriners Hospital for Children opened.  The Twin Cities Unit opened in 1924.  Today there are 22 hospitals, 19 orthopedic units and 3 burn institutes.  The services of these hospitals are free to children up to the age of 18 years, regardless of race, religion, or relationship to a Shriner, provided there is a medical need that can be helped.  Shriners Hospitals for Children have become the world’s greatest philanthropy!!!

Today the Shrine and Zuhrah continue to offer fellowship and philanthropy to North America!