Brief History of the Shriners

Dedicated to Fun and Philanthropy

How did it all start? How does it work? What is a Shriner? What kind of organization attracts physicians, lawyers, truck drivers, dentists, contractors, heads of state, movie stars, generals, clergymen and accountants?

Someone might answer, "Oh yeah, Shriners are those guys who always have those parades with the wild costumes and funny little cars." Another might think of circuses and clowns. The fellow next to him might interject, "No, Shriners are the guys who wear those funny hats--like flowerpots--and have those big conventions."

"I don't know about all that," a passerby might add, "But I do know my little girl was born with clubfeet and now they are straight, and she can walk like anyone else, thanks to Shriners Hospitals for Children."

"She can walk?" questions still another. "I thought the Shriners ran those fantastic burn hospitals. I've read stories about them saving kids with burns on 90 percent of their bodies."

All those people are right. Each has experienced an aspect of Shrinedom. What they cannot experience, unless they are Shriners, is the camaraderie, deep friendships, good fellowship and great times shared by all Shriners. What they may not know is that all Shriners share a Masonic heritage; each is a Master Mason in the Freemasonry Fraternity.

Today, there are nearly 200 temples across North America, South America, Europe and Southeast Asia. In addition to the Shrine Circus, temples hold events throughout the year ranging from fish fries to concerts, car shows to fishing tournaments. It is fun with a purpose – supporting the important mission of Shriners Hospitals for Children®.

There are 22 Shriners Hospitals for Children providing care for orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries and cleft lip and palate. These hospitals have helped more than 1,300,000 million children — at no financial obligation to the parent or child — since the first Shriners Hospitals for Children opened in 1922.

Creed

Shriners believe in God and that He created man to serve His purposes, among which is service to others in His name. We believe that care for the less fortunate, especially children who suffer from burns and crippling diseases, is our institutional calling. We are patriots each willing to serve his country with fidelity and courage. We cherish independence under law and freedom with responsibility. We honor family. We respect our parents, wives and children. We should instill in our children the tenets of this creed, and the heritage from which it emanates. As individuals, we pledge ourselves to integrity, virtue and nobility of character. Our intentions will be honorable, our relations will be trustworthy and our spirits forgiving of each other. As brothers, we offer each other fraternal affection and respect. Together we will support each other in adherence to this creed, so that we and our comm-nities will be the better because of our fraternityand its principles.