Texas Shrine Association History

Texas Shrine Council

 The Texas Shrine Council was 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, and Vice President, Putt D. Mathis of Alzafar Temple. In the late fall of 1932, the council apparently ceased to function.

Texas Shrine Association

 On August 11, 1934, three Past Presidents of the Texas Shrine Council, P.D. Mathis of Alzafar Temple, John F. Zurn of Moslah Temple and William H. Calvert of El Mina Temple 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."