114 YEARS AGO

Fifteen years after the idea of the Mystic Shrine was conceived at New York City's ''Knickerbocker Cottage," eleven Shriners, ten of whom were residents of Grand Rapids, with one visitor from New York's Mecca Temple, met in the "Ordinary Room" adjacent to the lobby of the Morton House.

March 27, 1886 was the date when this landmark hotel in Grand Rapids was the scene of a meeting to formulate plans for the organization of a Temple of the Mystic Shrine to be seated in Grand Rapids. Nobles present at this historic meeting were:  

(It is assumed that all 10 Nobles were affiliated with Moslem Temple (Detroit) whose jurisdiction in­cluded all of Michigan at that time.)

             Frederick W. Kleindienst, Mecca Temple

         Noble Innes was chosen Temporary Chairman and Noble Samuel Watson, Temporary Recorder.  Noble Hastings read several communications from Walter M. Fleming, Imperial Potentate, containing instructions with regard to the course to be taken in the securing of a dispensation to form the fledgling Temple.

In accordance with these directions, Noble George E. Pantlind was chosen as Illustrious Potentate, a name was adopted to designate the Temple and Noble Watson was instructed to apply in proper form for a dispensation.

 PERSPECTIVE

        The United States was still involved in Indian wars. The battle of the Little Big Horn, Montana, occurred only 10 years prior to Saladin's creation and the battle of Wounded Knee, South Dakota, was still 4 years in the future.

Saladin Temple was created in the middle of a decade marked by a tremendous population growth in Grand Rapids. The period between the 1880 and 1890 census showed almost a 100% increase in population starting with approximately 30,000.

Quite naturally, along with population growth there was much new construction in progress. In 1886 the Armory had just been completed while the Edison Electric Light Station and the Gas Company works were under construction. The Ladies Literary Club House and the Belknap wagon factory were also slated for completion the following year.

Furniture factory workers in Grand Rapids went on strike for an eight hour day without a reduction in wages in 1886 and the Michigan College of Mines opened in Houghton. The American Federation of Labor (AFL) was formed and Geronimo, the famed Apache Indian Chief, surrendered to the United States.

Grover Cleveland occupied the White House while back in Grand Rapids the opening of the Bank Clearing House on January 8 was a "red letter day."  

THE TEMPLE'S GODFATHER

Saladin, a celebrated warrior and Sultan of Egypt and Syria, was born in 1138 and died in 1193 A.D.

In Saladin, the warrior instinct of the Kurd was united to a high intelligence, and even his opponents did not deny him the noblest qualities of chivalry, courage, fidelity to treaties, greatness of soul, piety, justice and moderation. He was not only a mere soldier but also a wise administrator. His kindness to the poor, his modesty and simplicity, his justice and mercy are all attested to in the histories of those countries over whom he ruled.

"Since the days of Omar, no such Moslem as Saladin had risen, nor after him was there another such.''  The simple tomb in the courtyard of the great Mosque at Damascus enshrines the memory of one of the noblest natures that Islam ever knew.  

FIRST DIVAN

Following that first meeting, there was a meeting on April 22 in the ballroom at the home of Charles B. Judd on Fountain Street, which was on part of the site later occupied by the Michigan Bell Telephone Company building.

This was the first official session of Saladin Temple, and Illustrious Sir Pantlind announced a dispensation had been granted by the Shrine's Imperial Council empowering them to form and open Saladin Temple, elect permanent officers and transact business.

The meeting was attended by Nobles:  

        At the preliminary meeting in March, Noble Kleindienst is listed as a visitor, while at this meeting he is apparently a voting member of Saladin. There is no record of a transfer of affiliation. The same is true of Noble Watson. His place of residence is shown as Chicago and his membership in Medinah Temple.

Prior to this meeting, Illustrious Sir Pantlind communicated the order upon Frederick A. Holcomb, thus giving him the distinction of being Saladin's first creation.

The Official Divan was elected as follows:

Only two members of the first Divan went on to assume the office of Potentate.

TEMPLE GROWS

The inaugural meeting of Saladin Temple was held in the Armory on March 11, 1887, and was opened in full form by Imperial Potentate Sam Briggs assisted by 25 officers and Nobles from Al Koran Temple (Cleveland) and Illustrious Sir Martin Howard from Medinah Temple (Chicago) with his 80 member Patrol Unit.

The first work done by Saladin Temple, in Full Form and with complete paraphernalia, was on August 20, 1890, when 23 candidates were introduced into the mysteries of the Order. Prior to this time, the work had been done either by visiting Temples or was communicated in Short Form.

During the six years after being chartered, Saladin hosted pilgrimages from both Medinah and Moslem Temples and in turn made pilgrimages to Marquette, Menominee, Calumet, the "Soo," Traverse City, Petoskey, Saginaw, Charlotte, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Battle Creek and many others. Most of these were Ceremonial sessions and contributed immensely to the rapid growth of the Temple.

The upper peninsula is now the jurisdiction of Ahmed Temple, and the eastern half of the lower peninsula, excepting the Detroit metropolitan area, is now Elf Khurafeh Temple, but during those early years, Ahmed and Elf Khurafeh were all Saladin.

The first official visit of Saladin to another Temple was in September, 1887, when a special railroad car was chartered for a trip to Medinah Temple.

It is noted in the archives that at Saladin's February, 1890 Ceremonial their initial contribution to the Michigan Masonic Home was made, and the Pilgrimage to Saginaw was also a fund raiser for the local Masonic Temple.

In spite of 12 deaths and 25 demits, the old records indicate that by the year 1893 membership had increased to 661.

One of the greatest Ceremonials in the history of the Temple was held on February 12, 1912. More than 1000 Nobles were present at this Session when 255 Novices were inducted after crossing the burning sands to Mecca. Immediately following the conclusion of the regular business session, the Shriners paraded down the main streets of Grand Rapids.

Headed by a platoon of police and the Furniture City Band, the Divans of Moslem and Elf Khurafeh Temples rode in automobiles. The citizens of Grand Rapids, who "turned out in large numbers," were treated to a spectacular and colorful parade.

Saladin's Divan, in full regalia, riding on an impressive float, was next escorted by the Patrols of the two visiting Temples and about 600 Nobles on foot.

The hapless Novices securely roped together, several dens of faked wild animals ''never before seen in captivity,'' a Rube band seated in an ice wagon, two burlesque Roman chariots and a steam calliope contributed to the entertainment of the spectators. The parade disbanded at the Coliseum on Division Avenue where the Ceremonial Session was held.

The Ceremonial on November 15, 1918 still ranks as one of the largest Ceremonials, in point of numbers, in Saladin's history, with 341 Novices, 297 of whom were active duty soldiers and sailors.

        During the period of its existence, Saladin has admitted over 20,000 to membership, but the membership today is approximately 3,000 regular dues paying members and 800 life members. The peak membership was in the late sixties when the total approximated 6,500.    

Excerpts from 1986 Saladin Shrine Centennial Book, assembled by Noble George L. Baldwin

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