The History of the Shriners

The Shriners, or Shrine Masons, were originally called “The Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine” (A.A.O.N.M.S.). This was changed a few years ago, when we branched out to other countries beyond North America, and we are now know as “Shriners International”.

It all started in Manhattan in 1870 when some members of what’s considered the world’s oldest fraternity – Masonry – were hanging out at their favorite tavern. They felt that while they loved Masonry, which traces its roots to stonemasons and craftsmen of the Middle Ages, was a tad too focused on ritual. These men wanted a fraternity that stressed fun and fellowship.

Two of those gentlemen – Walter M Fleming, M.D., and Billy Florence, an actor – took that idea and ran with it. Florence came up with the idea for a Near Eastern-themed party after attending a party thrown by an Arabian diplomat. Fleming added the structure, drafting the fraternity’s name, initiation rites, rituals and rules. Together, Fleming and Florence designed the fraternity’s emblem, devised a salutation and determined that the red fez with the black tassel would be the group’s official headgear.

The first chapter, Mecca Shriners, met in New York City in 1872. As word got out about the fledgling organization, membership grew rapidly, spreading across the U.S. In the early 1900s, membership spread into Canada, Mexico and Panama. Today there are approximately 340,000 Shriners belonging to over 190 Shrine Centers and many Shrine Clubs throughout the world.

The Shrine is best known for its colorful parades, its distinctive red fez, and its official philanthropy, Shriners Hospitals for Children, which is often called “the heart and soul of the Shrine.

Why Do Shriners Wear a Fez?

The red fez with a black tassel, the Shrine’s most distinctive symbol, has been handed down through the ages. It derives its name from the place where it was first manufactured – the holy city of Fez, Morocco. The fez was chosen as part of the Shrine’s Arabic (Near-Eastern) theme, around which the color and pageantry of the Shrine are developed.

Freemasonry and its Ties to the Shrine

In order to become a Shriner, a man must first be a Freemason, or Mason as it is most commonly referred as. The fraternity of Freemasonry is the oldest, largest and most widely known Fraternity in the world. It dates back hundreds of years to when stonemasons and other craftsmen on building projects gathered in shelter houses, or lodges. Over the years, formal Masonic lodges emerged, with members bound together not by trade, but by their own desire to be Fraternal Brothers.

The basic unit of Masonry is the Blue Lodge, where members earn the first three Masonic Degrees. There is no higher degree than that of Master Mason (the Third Degree), but if a man wishes to further explore the allegory and symbolism learned in the Blue Lodge, he can join the Scottish Rite and/or the York Rite, both of which elaborate on the basic tenets of Freemasonry.

The Steps to Becoming a Shrine Mason

Every Shriner is first a Mason: however, in many parts of North America, Masonry does not solicit members. In these areas, no one is asked to join. A man must seek admission of his own free will. A man is a fully accepted “Blue Lodge” Mason after he has received and proved proficiency in the first three degrees, known as Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason.

After that, he can belong to many other organizations which have their roots in Masonry and which have Blue Lodge Masonry as a prerequisite. Only when a Master Mason has proven proficiency in the Third Degree can he petition to become a Noble of the Mystic Shrine.

Where to Get a Petition for Membership

To become a Shriner you must first be a Master Mason. Click on the path that applies to you.

If you are not a member in the Masonic Order, please click here: http://www.beashrinernow.com/Roadmap/MasonPath.aspx

If you are a member in the Masonic Order, and want to know how to join the Shrine, please click here: http://www.beashrinernow.com/Roadmap/ShrinePath.aspx

If you are a Master Mason in good standing in our jurisdiction, and wish to obtain a Petition for membership, contact the El Katif Shrine Office at: adminassist@elkatif.org

The Shrine’s Middle Eastern Theme

The Shrine is as American as baseball, hot dogs and apple pie. It was tied to an Arabic theme by its founders, Billy Florence, an actor, and Walter Fleming, a physician. Fleming and Florence realized the fledging fraternity needed a colorful, exciting backdrop. It is believed that Florence conceived the Shrine’s Near Eastern setting while on tour in Europe.

As the legend goes, Florence attended a party in Marseilles, France, hosted by an Arabian diplomat. At the end of the party, the guests became members of a secret society. Florence realized this might be the ideal vehicle for the new fraternity, and he made copious notes and drawings of the ceremony.

When Florence returned to the States, Fleming agreed, and together they created elaborate rituals, designed the emblem and costumes, and formulated the salutation.

Though the Shrine is not itself a secret society, it still retains much of the mysticism and secrecy of its origins.

The Shrine supported various charities almost from its inception. In 1920, however, the organization voted to adopt its own official philanthropy, dedicated to providing orthopedic medical care to children in need, regardless of a families ability to pay, and the first Shriners Hospital was built in Shreveport, LA., in 1922. The Shrine’s philanthropy eventually expanded to 22 “Centers of Excellence.”

Membership a Top Priority for the Shrine

The membership of the Shrine of North America continues to decline at an alarming rate. In fact, every 24 hours, the Shrine loses 46 Nobles. While this statistic is shocking, with a cooperative effort throughout Shrinedom, it is not irreversible.

James E. "Ed" Stolze, Jr.

Imperial Potentate 2023-2024

James E. “Ed” Stolze Jr. of Peoria, Arizona, is serving his 10th year as a member of the Boards of Directors for Shriners International and Shriners Children’s™. He was elected Imperial Chief Potentate, part of the 12-member body that helps govern the Shriners fraternity, during the Shriners 2023 Imperial Session held July 2–6 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

To James E. “Ed” Stolze, family is everything. That includes his Arizona family — where 289 residents of Phoenix are not only his neighbors but also his blood relatives — as well as his Shrine family. In both, the bonds are tight.

Ed was born in Phoenix, Arizona, and raised alongside dozens of cousins. He fondly remembers his aunts and uncles playing cards at his grandparents’ house every Saturday night. To this day, Ed and his family still play cards together every weekend, with games presided over by his aunts and uncles and their potluck style meals always featuring more desserts than entrees.

It’s this family bond that Ed wants to nurture in the fraternity.

Ed met his late wife Cheryl, in 1985, and they married in 1987. Both were in the military, and they moved often. Their two children were born in Virginia, and the family lived in places including Iceland; Hawaii; Phoenix, Arizona; Biloxi, Mississippi; and San Diego, California.

Stolze enlisted in the Navy as a computer technician and was promoted through the ranks to Chief Petty Officer. Selected for Officer Indoctrination School, he was commissioned as an Electronics Maintenance Officer. After more than 25 years in the Navy, he retired in 2002 as a Lieutenant Commander, while serving as the Electronics Maintenance Officer for the Pacific Fleet. He looked forward to having his family closer together upon his retirement.

For his second act, Ed served as the Chief Technology Officer for a large school district in Phoenix, retiring in 2017. In addition, he is a senior leadership consultant for a family-owned consulting company.

Ed’s Masonic journey began in Chesapeake, Virginia, where he was raised as a Master Mason of Doric Lodge #44 in 1992. Later, he became a charter member of Hunters Paradise Lodge #85, in Phoenix.

The “newest Noble” on the Joint Boards, Ed became a Shriner in 2005. His talent and dedication to the fraternity quickly led him into leadership. He served on the Divan of El Zaribah Shrine starting in 2009 and became Potentate in 2013. In 2014, with support from his wife and family, he started campaigning for election to the Imperial Divan.

Although he lost his first election, he continued his campaign efforts. Then tragedy struck. His wife Cheryl was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and passed away just 17 days later. Among her last wishes was a strong desire that Ed continue to run for Imperial office. She knew that it would be his Mason and Shrine family who would keep him going.

She was right. Ed says that as he was campaigning, there were times when he felt so lonely, in a room full of people. But in a room full of Shriners, he was no longer lonely. That’s what the Shrine family is all about.

Ed is proud to be here today, serving this great fraternity and fulfilling the promise he made to Cheryl. He’s grateful to everyone who helped him along the way, especially his children, Josh and Joey, and his best friend and partner JoLynn Dickins, who has supported him over the years and is generously and graciously serving with him as First Lady of Shriners International.

Shriners and Masons are his heroes, and this year Ed looks forward to serving and thanking the fraternal community.

Fraternities and Philanthropy

• Master Mason, Doric Lodge #44, Chesapeake, Virginia, 1992
• Charter member, Hunters Paradise Lodge #85, Phoenix, Arizona
• Past Master, Northern Lights Masonic Military Lodge
• Potentate, El Zaribah Shriners, 2013
• Captain of the Temple Guard, Ritual Divan Member, and Founding Director and Member of Shrine Masonic 1st Degree Team
• Treasurer, Western Shrine Association, 2013–2015
• Member, Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Phoenix
• Member, Arizona Chapter #1 RAM, Phoenix Council #4 R&SM, and Phoenix Commandery #3 Knights Templar
• Honorary Legion of Honor, DeMolay International
• Honorary Member, DeMolay International Supreme Council
• Member, DeMolay King Solomon Honorary Chapter in Arizona
• Member, CBCS West Gate Scottish Masters of St. Andrews
• Emeritus member, Board of Governors of Shriners Children’s Southern California
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Education

• Bachelor’s degree, Sociology, Excelsior College
• Master’s degree, human relations and leadership, University of Oklahoma
  

The Shriner’s 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 out 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 communities will be the better because of our fraternity and its principals.

As Shriners we look beyond ourselves to serve the needs of others, especially children who cannot help themselves. We believe Shriners Hospitals to be the world’s greatest philanthropy, and we covenant with each other to support its “temples of mercy” with spirit, time, talent and means.