The History Of MINARET TEMPLE #174
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"From the Beginning"
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March 20, 2007
Summary History of Minaret Temple No. 174, A.E.A.O.N.M.S.
HISTORY EDITED BY WALTER E. HURST, PP No. 174
On the 20th Day of March 1968, under the direction of Noble Lucius C. Norris of Pyramid Temple No. 1, a meeting was called at Eastern Light Lodge N0. 46, to determine if the present Nobles and Sublime Princes was desirous of having a Shrine Temple in the Chester Area. Noble Norris introduced the Imperial Deputy of the Desert, Noble Harry J. Keen and Imperial Organizer of the Desert Noble Lee N. Moore.
At the this meeting there were 42 Noble, former Noble and Sublime Princes present. It was established that they were desirous of having a Shrine Temple in the Chester Area. There were only six men present eligible to start a new Temple: Elwood H. Brown, James E. Oliver, James W. Milburn, James L. Nedab, Troy M. Faison and Melvin W. Lewis. These 6 men were set aside and directed to elect officers, set the initiation fee and the amount for dues. The officers elect were: Melvin W. Lewis, President, Elwood H. Brown, Secretary and James W. Milburn Treasurer. Thus become what was known as the Chester Shrine Club.
From March 20th 1968 until July 20th 1968, these men recruited thirty six novices and raised over $1,900.00. July 20th 1968, Imperial Deputy of the Desert, Noble Harry J. Keen and his degree team from Sahara Temple No. 2 , Pittsburgh, Pa. opened an occasional Temple at 815 West 3rd Street, Chester, Pa. and created these 36 novices. thus was born MINARET TEMPLE No.174. Imperial Potentate, Noble John Henry Hester, then appointed the fist line officer for Minaret Temple which were: Noble Melvin W. Lewis, Illustrious Potentate; Noble Jesse L. Cunningham, Chief Rabban; Noble Elwood H. Brown, Ass't Rabban, Noble George F. Barkely, Oriental Guide; Noble James W. Milburn, Treasurer;and Noble Clifford M. Patton, Recorder. Minaret Temple worked under a dispensation for one year and received their Offical Charter on July 28th 1969.
The idea of owning a building had often been discussed by the members but laid dormant until 1972 under the leadership of Past Potentate, Noble Elwood H. Brown, a building fund committee was set up. Noble Lucius Norris was appointed the first Building Fund Chairman, Noble Lucius Norris Vision was a Temple that, Minaret could call its own.
With the hard work by all Nobles and officers, and before the Black Camel visited, Noble Lucius Norris , was able to see his vision become a reality.
In 1973 at the Imperial Convention, in Detroit, Michigan, we rented our first booth to sell chances for our first drawing to raise money for the Building Fund and have continued this tradition thus far. In 1976 the Building Committee started looking for possible site. After looking at several buildings in the area, we became aware of and was directed to this site, 2427 West Fourth Street Chester, Pa. After several month of negotiation, in January 1977, the Building Committee, which consisted Of the Illustrious Potentate, Noble Milton D. Stith, Past Potentate Noble Melvin W. Lewis, Ass't Rabban Noble William T. Hamm, Trustees Noble Walter P. Matthews and Noble Randolph P. Hopson; agreed to a tentative settlement for the purchase of this building. At a regular Temple meeting the membership approved the tentative agreement unanimously.
Illustrious Potentate Noble Milton D. Sticth, in order to keep the mortgage payments low, asked the membership for pledges. The Nobles readily rallied to the cause,and with the enthusiasm being high, pledged and donated $100, 00. The Daughters of Minaret Court No. 154 under the leadership of Illustrious Commandress Daughter Rebecca H. Roots being equally enthusiastic, made settlement for their home
On June 5th 1977 the Second Masonic District laid the Cornerstone to the edifice at 2427 West 4th Street, Chester, Pa. under the direction of the Worshipful District Deputy Grand Master D. Nelson Bobo, Jr. and Worshipful District Lecturer Lawrence E. Dickerson. Most Worshipful Grand Master Harold Stanley Banner was in attendance.
Escalating interest rates became a hardship on the financial structure of the Temple. I n 1980 Illustrious Potentate Noble King Adrews also had a dream, which he called Project Vision.
Project Vision was a plan to combat the escalating interest rate attached to our mortgage, without disrupting the temples financial structure, balance the budget and liquidate the mortgage. In March of 1980 the Nobility was summoned to a special meeting whereby Project Vision was explained. Each Noble of the Temple was at least $100.00 and in addition to the projects previously scheduled for the Building Fund during 1980. Project Vision could be accomplished in early 1981. Once again the Nobility displayed their love and dedication for Minaret Temple and within a short time over $8,000.00 was loaned the Temple. On April 15th 1981, four days short of four years, Minaret Temple made the final payment on the their mortgage
Minaret Temple #174 has experienced and enjoyed many proud memories, but none more exhilarating than the Mortgage Burning Ceremony held on September 27, 1981, this was under the leadership of Illustrious Potentate Noble Threston C. Roots.
Early in 1987 during the administration of the Illustrious Potentate Noble Walter A. Carter, Minaret Temple Experienced a devastating fire which destroy the lower level of the Temple, the meeting room floor of the Noble plus major damage to the stage area. This caused the Nobles meeting to moved temporarily back to Eastern Light of Lodge #46. The Daughters were still able ti meet at 4th and Ward. Here again Minaret Temple came forward with their time and physical effort to do as much repair as they possibly could. With the aid of the insurance and continued work by the Nobility Minaret Temple #174 has returned better than ever.
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Copyright © 2007 Noble Lloyd G PAIGE Jr. All Rights Reserved.