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Ainad Shriners History

Ainad Temple was conceived in 1912, when many of the members of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine gathered at the Scottish Rite building in East St. Louis to bring to Southern Illinois the chance to join the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. These local men of the business and professional world had journeyed to Chicago at one time or another for admission into Shrinedom, and they felt they had enough members to start a Temple.

Affilliations and applications gave them 105 members for the first year under dispensation. After they granted the Charter the following year, they initiated 154 more Nobles, which made the rolls read 259 members at the end of 1913. Ainad then became the fourth of five Temples in the State of Illinois.

Thomas L. Fekete was our first Potentate, serving as temporary leader until our Charter was to be issued. Ainad became Temple 130 on the numerical list. Fekete was then elected and served as the Illustrious Potentate for the Charter year. Eight of the original Officers became Potentates of Ainad Temple. The 1920 Pilgrim Class furnished the second largest number of Potentates namely H.O. Baker, Sr., Walter Bader, Ray Holroyd, Fred Buck, and Robert F. Miller.

The Ainad Temple is one of the most beautiful buildings ever erected in southern Illinois. This exotic setting for nobles wearing a fez and dressed in far east garb is located at Sixth and St. Louis Avenue (609 St. Louis Avenue) in East St. Louis.

At the time of completion in late October of 1923, there were 125 other such temples in the United States. But this magnificent example of Moorish architecture was second to none. It housed splendid rugs, furniture and other trappings from the Orient.

The terra cotta of desert mosques from centuries ago are reflected in this building. Rounded arches supported by Arabesque columns grace the entrance. The plush desks, chairs and lounges inside, on which pashas of old might have sat when they entertained, adorn the halls and offices inside the front doors.

Built at a cost of $550,000, the cornerstone was laid in November of 1922 by the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Illinois. Jesse Gedney Contracting Co. oversaw the construction. Numerous subcontractors assisted in the project including: East St. Louis Stone (crushed rock), Hill-Thomas (cement and sand), Phelan-Faust (paint), B. Goedde Co. (lumber), Moore Brothers (drayage) and St. Louis Structural Steel did the framework. One hundred men worked eight months to finish the job. It was estimated that had one man done all the work, it would have taken him 67 years. One hundred and fifty carloads of fill dirt were needed to complete grading and landscape.

Although the facility was designed primarily for the use by the Masonic Fraternity for its meetings, it became a gathering place for numerous community events in the life of East St. Louis. The annual Pageant of Progress was held there. The Elks Club and many other civic groups used the place for social activities. The auditorium was the largest of its kind in the state, seating 2,500. The grand stage was an impressive 78'x30' and featured a $15,000 pipe organ, the latest lighting and sound equipment, with dressing rooms on each side. It was host to East Side High's home basketball games and their commencement services took place there every January and June.

There is a large concrete ramp that goes from street level to the basement. There is a cavernous banquet room on the lower level with seating for 1,000. The room is equipped with a large and modern kitchen. Food can be served cafeteria style or by waiters. The wide incline to the lower level made the building ideal for automobile shows.

On the day of the dedication, 10,000 Shriners (from all over the country) came to the ceremony. The main speaker was the Imperial Potentate from New York. A huge parade was then held with over 5,000 participants. The parade went down Collinsville Avenue and took approximately one hour to pass a specified point along the way.

In 1994 the Divan and the Nobles decided the present day Temple needed help. A building fund to help in the restoration of the building was established. The exterior has been completely tuck pointed and down spots attached. The entire interior has been replastered and repainted. The roof had been replaced. The dining room floor refurbished and kitchen updated. The front entry was resealed. New carpeting and air conditioning installed in the small dining room. A new heating and air conditioning system was installed in the Candidates room. Additional property has been acquired to allow for additional parking space.

The new elevator was dedicated in November 2001.

In 2003 the main parking lot was resurfaced, some new fencing installed, the kitchen was renovated and furnished with modern equipment including a walk-in cooler and a garage was built to house the hospital vans and other equipment.

In the last 5 years a lot has been accomplished, but there is still more that needs to be done. Your continued support is necessary as the restoration of this historic Shrine Center continues.

With a current membership of 4,794 at the start of 2010 Ainad is the 10th largest Temple out of 191 in all of North America. It is also to our members credit that this also makes Ainad the largest in Illinois out of 5. There are approximately 350,000 members from 191 temples in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Republic of Panama.

We are each a part of Ainad Shriners proud history. You can make a difference with your heart, your hands, and your wills and bequests. Will you help continue this tradition?

PAST POTENTATES of AINAD SHRINERS
(* Indicates Deceased)