Our History
The Texas Shrine Association was originally established as the Texas Shrine Council, organized in the Grand Royal Arch Chapter Room in Waco, Texas on March 15, 1920. John M. Wyatt, El Maida Temple, had been the President of a temporary organization while in Indianapolis at the Annual Session of the Imperial Council in June, 1919. Noble Wyatt presided as Chairman. An election of officers was held with the following results: President, Samuel P. Cochran of Hella Temple (Dallas), and Vice President, Putt D. Mathis of Alzafar Temple (San Anotnio). In the late fall of 1932, the council apparently ceased to function.
On August 11, 1934, three Past Presidents of the Texas Shrine Council, P.D. Mathis of Alzafar Temple, John F. Zurn of Moslah Temple (Fort Worth) and William H. Calvert of El Mina Temple (Galveston) were present at the August 11, 1934 meeting where the Texas Shrine Association was organized under the name of the All State Shrine Ceremonial Association of Texas. Bylaws were submitted at the August 11 meeting that were subject to ratification by each Temple. This meeting was chaired by T. R. James, Potentate of Moslah Temple, who was nominated for Chairman of the meeting by Porter Loring, who would be elected President of the Association on February 23, 1935.
The Association again convened on February 23, 1935 in Waco, Texas where the first order of business was the election of a President and a Secretary. An All State Ceremonial Session was set for November 23, 1935 in Waco, Texas.
On February 27, 1949, the All State Shrine Ceremonial Association of Texas changed its name to Texas Shrine Association. The Texas Shrine Council and the Texas Shrine Association were both organized in Waco, Texas. The common thread of purpose for both the Texas Shrine Council and the Texas Shrine Association was the organization "for the purpose of promoting the general welfare and prosperity of Texas Temples and Shrinedom in Texas."
Today, all 13 members of the Texas Shrine Association are subordinate members of Shriners International, a fraternity based on fun, fellowship and the Masonic principles of brotherly love, relief and truth with nearly 200 temples (chapters) 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 Believe in Brotherhood
Shriners are a brotherhood of men committed to family, engaged in ongoing personal growth, and dedicated to providing care for children and families in need. Our backgrounds and interests are diverse, but we are bound together by our shared values and a desire to have fun, do good and build relationships that can last a lifetime.
Shriners Believe in Family
Although Shriners International is a brotherhood, it is also an organization focused on bringing families together. Many of our fraternity’s activities are designed to involve family members, promote our shared values and help develop the next generation of community and business leaders. A variety of affiliated groups for both women and children, emphasizing personal growth, fun and friendship, participate with Shriners.
Shriners Believe in Leadership
Shriners count among our ranks presidents, senators, local business leaders, professional golfers, country music stars, astronauts and racecar drivers. We believe it is also important to be a leader in your personal life. Our unique brotherhood helps good men become better – at home, at work and in business.
Shriners Believe in Giving Back
Shriners Hospitals for Children® were founded in 1922 with the goal of providing expert medical care for children with no financial burden to the patients or their families.
Today that philanthropic effort supports the health care system's 22 facilities across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, treating children up to 18 years of age who have orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate. Our advanced care is provided in a family-centered environment that is focused on maximizing a child’s quality of life, regardless of the family’s ability to pay.
The Texas Shrine Association was originally established as the Texas Shrine Council, organized in the Grand Royal Arch Chapter Room in Waco, Texas on March 15, 1920. John M. Wyatt, El Maida Temple, had been the President of a temporary organization while in Indianapolis at the Annual Session of the Imperial Council in June, 1919. Noble Wyatt presided as Chairman. An election of officers was held with the following results: President, Samuel P. Cochran of Hella Temple (Dallas), and Vice President, Putt D. Mathis of Alzafar Temple (San Anotnio). In the late fall of 1932, the council apparently ceased to function.
On August 11, 1934, three Past Presidents of the Texas Shrine Council, P.D. Mathis of Alzafar Temple, John F. Zurn of Moslah Temple (Fort Worth) and William H. Calvert of El Mina Temple (Galveston) were present at the August 11, 1934 meeting where the Texas Shrine Association was organized under the name of the All State Shrine Ceremonial Association of Texas. Bylaws were submitted at the August 11 meeting that were subject to ratification by each Temple. This meeting was chaired by T. R. James, Potentate of Moslah Temple, who was nominated for Chairman of the meeting by Porter Loring, who would be elected President of the Association on February 23, 1935.
The Association again convened on February 23, 1935 in Waco, Texas where the first order of business was the election of a President and a Secretary. An All State Ceremonial Session was set for November 23, 1935 in Waco, Texas.
On February 27, 1949, the All State Shrine Ceremonial Association of Texas changed its name to Texas Shrine Association. The Texas Shrine Council and the Texas Shrine Association were both organized in Waco, Texas. The common thread of purpose for both the Texas Shrine Council and the Texas Shrine Association was the organization "for the purpose of promoting the general welfare and prosperity of Texas Temples and Shrinedom in Texas."
Today, all 13 members of the Texas Shrine Association are subordinate members of Shriners International, a fraternity based on fun, fellowship and the Masonic principles of brotherly love, relief and truth with nearly 200 temples (chapters) 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 Believe in Brotherhood
Shriners are a brotherhood of men committed to family, engaged in ongoing personal growth, and dedicated to providing care for children and families in need. Our backgrounds and interests are diverse, but we are bound together by our shared values and a desire to have fun, do good and build relationships that can last a lifetime.
Shriners Believe in Family
Although Shriners International is a brotherhood, it is also an organization focused on bringing families together. Many of our fraternity’s activities are designed to involve family members, promote our shared values and help develop the next generation of community and business leaders. A variety of affiliated groups for both women and children, emphasizing personal growth, fun and friendship, participate with Shriners.
Shriners Believe in Leadership
Shriners count among our ranks presidents, senators, local business leaders, professional golfers, country music stars, astronauts and racecar drivers. We believe it is also important to be a leader in your personal life. Our unique brotherhood helps good men become better – at home, at work and in business.
Shriners Believe in Giving Back
Shriners Hospitals for Children® were founded in 1922 with the goal of providing expert medical care for children with no financial burden to the patients or their families.
Today that philanthropic effort supports the health care system's 22 facilities across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, treating children up to 18 years of age who have orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate. Our advanced care is provided in a family-centered environment that is focused on maximizing a child’s quality of life, regardless of the family’s ability to pay.
