SESOSTRIS - What's In a Name?

HISTORY OF SESOSTRIS TEMPLE - 1887 TO PRESENT

Document written by Ill, Sir PP Jerry Sievers

Presented to Ill. Sir Rob Kinsey January 11,2003

Sesostris: Was a celebrated King of Egypt who reigned ages before the Trojan War.

When he was born,his father ordered all children in his domain who were born on the same day as his son to be publicly educated and to spend their youth in the company of his son.

HISTORY OF SESOSTRIS TEMPLE

Dispensation June 22, 1887                 
Chartered June 25, 1888

At the Annual Session of the Imperial Council, which was held at Indianapolis on June 22,1887, dispensation was granted to form the 35th Temple of the Ancient and Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine to be located in Lincoln, Nebraska. On July 11, 1887, the Temple was formally instituted at the Masonic Temple in Lincoln by Noble Edgar S. Dudley, a member of Syrian Temple of Cincinnati, Ohio, acting for Imperial Potentate Sam H. Briggs.

In 1889, Sesostris supported a petition for a Temple in Omaha, Nebraska and a charter was granted Tangier Temple with Sesostris having jurisdiction south of the Platte River and Tangier north of the Platte.

In 1917, a charter was granted Tehama Temple in Hastings, Nebraska. The three Nebraska Temples now have joint jurisdiction throughout the state and exclusive jurisdiction only within their home county. Sesostris Temple has shown a steady and consistent growth from its original 10 members to 1,256 active members on January 1, 1963, its 75th Anniversary; its first big drop to 2,786 members on January 1,1988, its centennial Anniversary, the loss of course is reflected throughout North America due to tremendous losses in Prerequisite Bodies.

During the year 1889, the first Sesostris uniformed unit was created, known as the Arab Patrol (today Scimitar Patrol) and under the leadership of Potentate James Tyler, Sesostris participated in the first Shrine Parade ever held in Nebraska. This was held in Omaha in 1892. Sixteen hundred Nobles were in the Line of march, twelve abreast they made a great display in their dress uniforms and red fez.

For a number of years, the Nobility of Sesostris Temple felt the need and wanted a home of their own for Shrine activities. Subsequently in 1928 under Potentate Dave J. Cravens, Sesostris Temple purchased 660 acres of farmland east of Lincoln and proceeded to build a Shrine Country Club, which today is knows as Hillcrest Country Club. Several committees were formed to handle the many stages of construction. The records show that many generous Nobles as well as non-Masons made donations to help build the Country Club. Not only in the form of money but shrubs, trees, decorations, pictures and furniture. Many public minded citizens recognized what the Shrine Country Club could do for Lincoln and Nebraska, such as Mr. J. F. Garvey of Lincoln a Non-Mason who donated over 300 maple trees.

In April of 1930, the construction of the club was almost completed except for odds and ends including some of the kitchen equipment. Mr. Charles Koontz of Kansas City, with more than 10 years experience as a golf pro was hired and was on the job. The formal opening of the club was held on May 16th and 17th,

1930. Due to the large number of reservations, almost 700, it was decided to have half the reservations on Friday the 16th, and the other half on Saturday the 17th. The records show that in spite of the club not being completed the golf course was well A Potentates Annual Golf Tournament was formed. It included a contest between the York Rite and Scottish Rite Masons and the “open” for Blue Lodge Masons. The records of July 1930 indicated a very active use of the club by the Nobility. And the Club House was booked solid for dinner parties, dances, and card parties.

On June 17, 1930, over 200 cosmopolitans attending their National convention in Lincoln held a dinner dance at the club.

On July 9, 1930, the First Annual Blue Lodge Golf Tournament was held at the Club and on July 19-26, 1930, the City Golf Championship was played at the Shrine Club.

In July of 1930, Potentate Fenton B. Fleming appointed a committee of Nobles, Dr. Hollis Askey and Ernest L. Smith, to investigate the costs of construction a swimming pool and in 1934 the new Sesostris Country Club pool was built and enjoyed by the Nobility and their families. With the addition of the pool the use of club facilities increased considerably. With the Great Depression an ever-present factor, attendance at the club as well as membership began to drop.

In 1931, Sesostris Temple held only one Ceremonial, producing only three Novices. Due to the drop in Sesostris Temple membership, the lack of attendance at the Country Club and pressure by its creditors, Sesostris Temple, was forced to close its doors on its new Shrine Country Club in 1938.

On March 31, 1939, the club went on the auction block and the building and grounds were purchased by a group of investors who in turn sold the property to the East O Realty Corp. Which owns the property today and it is called Hillcrest County Club.The loss of the Shrine Country Club was heartbreaking to Nobles of Sesostris Temple

The crash of 29, the Depression during the thirties and the scare of war took its toll of Nobles and future Nobles from all Shrine Temples and Sesostris temple as no exception.

The forties were also difficult years for Sesostris Temple. Since many of its Nobles were called to serve in the Armed Forces of the United States. Many never returned from the many battlefronts of Europe and Asia. Those that did were anxious to renew their association with the Shrine and the Masonic Order. They found Masonry was a very strong world wide Fraternal Order wherever they were stationed. Because of this recognition, the fifties and sixties found the Shrine and Sesostris Temple in the period of its strongest growth. Masonry in general was producing members who were strongly aware of the fraternity's greatness. It was a decade when Ceremonials of Initiation was at its greatest public recognition.

On March 14, 1952 under Potentate William W. Putney, the old Lincoln Mansion knows as the "Hippy" Rogers home located at 1530 L St. in Lincoln was purchased by Sesostris building committee and transferred to Sesostris Temple.In 1959 it was partially conditioned for Temple use.Four large upstairs rooms were assigned to uniform units and dressing rooms and storage of their properties.The entire first floor consisting of four large rooms were used for meeting rooms and practice sessions.

Sesostris Temple prospered and 1959 was the year when Potentate Dr. Clayton Andrews was elected and installed as Imperial Potentate of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of North America at Atlantic City, NJ. None can deny the fact that Sesostris Temple took over Atlantic City during the Imperial Session and put Sesostris Temple on Nebraska on the map. For the many Easterners who had no idea where Lincoln was, and only the vaguest notion about Nebraska. Snappy performances by Sesostris Uniformed Units in the two Imperial Parades dispelled the idea that Nebraska was a “Bush League” country. The Sesostris Band led the Parades and when they passed the reviewing stand they played "There is no place like Nebraska". Stepping smartly behind came the Scimitar Patrol, the Cushman Motor Corps and the many Sesostris Nobles who worked hard and long to make Shrinedom proud of their Imperial Potentate and Sesostris Temple. The sixties were great years for Sesostris Temple and its membership hit an all time high of 3000 Nobles, which it maintained throughout the sixties and seventies.

In October of 1963 Potentate Herb Ronin sounded the clarion call for action for a Shrine Temple at the September business meeting. Potentate Ronin stated that the old George Rogers residence was purchased for a building site and that the old house was wholly inadequate, and the maintenance and repairs had been considerable.Potentate Ronin reported the fiscal phase of Sesostris Temple had reached an all time high, under guided by a solid investment program, which has resulted in dusting off the cob webs from some of the Temple's assists “lying-at-rest” and putting them to work. Potentate Ronin stated the liquid assets, readily convertible to cash, exceeded $150,000.00 A Shrine building committee was appointed consisting of Chief Rabban Jack Devoe, Assistant Rabban Robert P. Stephens and Captain of the Guard, Ervin E. Peterson, to investigate the problem and submit a report for further action by the nobility. Without delay, the building committee began immediately to prepare their report. A questionnaire was sent to all members of the Divan and Past Potentates asking for their input as to the location and type of Temple desired. After a careful review of the responses, blueprints of the proposed Temple were prepared. Present plans called for an attractive, modern air-conditioned Temple to be built immediately east of the Scottish Rite Temple. The new Temple would have a full basement with rooms and lockers for all units and a drive-in in the basement for equipment storage. There was to be just one floor, with a medium-sized auditorium for the ritualistic work with seating capacity in excess of 250, together with office quarters for the Shrine Bowl, FEZ-tivities staff, office staff and Potentate suite and library and a small dinning room. The availability of the Pershing Auditorium and Scottish Rite Temple dining room moved the committee to eliminate provisions of any large auditorium or dining hall to save money. Again, there is nothing in the history books regarding the building committee's report. Past Potentates advised the building committee's report was completed and presented to the general nobility.
In February of 1971, it was reported, in cooperation with the Scottish Rite Temple board, plans were made to provide adequate quarters in the Scottish Rite building for all Sesostris units. Office space would be provided for the Shrine Bowl, FEZ-tivites staff and director's staff. The lower level of the Temple would include a lounge, dressing rooms for the clowns and the oriental band, as well as facilities to handle novices during the second section.

In 1972 the need arose for an activities building to house unit equipment which had been stored here, there and everywhere. Potentate Leo Hill wasted no time. Land was purchased at 601 Peach Street. Construction and furnishings of the building were donated or furnished at cost by Sesostris Nobles. In April of 1973 even through the building was not yet completed, the directors staff reported they had completed moving all Shrine equipment and supplies from the Scottish Rite Temple to the Shrine Peach Street building. Reports indicated the Peach Street building had served its purpose well as a workshop for the director's staff and storage facilities. however, in just a few short years due to the desire of the nobility to use the building for other purposes, such as unit stags, Hot Sands ceremonials, band practice, meetings and rummage sales, the walls were beginning Each time the building was used, it was a major task to remove all the rolling stock and clean the building before it was presentable for use. This type of situation continued to fire the desire of the nobility to want larger quarters. This desire was made loud and clear to the Divan members.

In 1979, under Potentate C. Joy Emry, it having been pointed out to him the imperative need for larger quarters than the Peach St. Activity building, the property at 1717 Yolande Ave., in North Lincoln, the former Cook Construction office building was selected and a deal made with the estate of George Cook. & The property and land was purchase for $125,000.00. Meanwhile the Peach St. property was sold to Harris Laboratories for $85,000.00 and this was used to pay on the new purchase. It was during Potentate Harvey Gates year (1980) that the move to the new location was made and almost immediately it was again recognized that an addition was going to be needed to house the Directors Staff. This was completed along with a large paved area to the south laid out as a regulation practice area for motorized units and the marching Scimitar Patrol. For another year the Shrine maintained its offices jointly with the Scottish Rite. But here again it became apparent that Sesostris Temple was going to split away from this arrangement when Warren "Gus" Swanson became Potentate in 1981 the break was made and the Shrine building at 1717 Yolande became the Sesostris Temple Mosque. All activities, including the offices of the Temple were moved to the building for the time being. An arrangement was made with the Lincoln Scottish Rite body to rent the Scottish Rite Temple for Ceremonial Sessions only. The following year, 1982, Stuart D. Howerter held his Potentates Ball in the new facility and through it was a little crowded, it worked out and was an enjoyable event. It was in 1982 that additional refinement was made to the facility making it even more useable to all of the Nobility and particularly unit activity. Sesostris has 7 Shrine Clubs outside of Lincoln.

They are:

Blue Valley at Beatrice, organized June 22, 1949.
Meridian Shrine Club at York, organized May 4, 1953.
Northeast Shrine Club at Norfolk, organized March 1952.
Pawnee Shrine Club at Columbus, organized March 1957.
Pioneer shrine Club at Fairbury, organized 1959.
Platte Valley at Ashland, organized 1979.
Southeast Shrine Club at Falls City/Auburn, organized 1950.

In closing I want to point out that Sesostris has had two Imperial Potentates:
Imperial Sir Dr. Clayton Andrews 1959
Imperial Sir John D. VerMass 1996