About Us
The Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of North and South America and its jurisdictions, incorporated as Prince Hall Affiliated, has a long and illustrious history in Prince Hall Masonry. It was established as an Imperial Council of Prince Hall Shriners in Chicago, Illinois, on June 3, 1893.
Sinai Shrine Temple No. 59 was established in the Desert of Ohio, Oasis of Cincinnati, on August 6, 1913. Noble J.R. Jackson was the Illustrious Potentate, Noble William Copeland was the Chief Rabban, and Noble Paul S. Jones was the Assistant Rabban. The Charter was issued by the Imperial Potentate Eugene Phillips.
The primary focus of Sinai Temple No. 59, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, is charitable, benevolent, and fraternal activities. The membership dedicates itself to fostering civic, economic, and educational development programs. The temple is a lifetime member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the East Walnut Hills Assembly, and donates to the March of Dimes, The Community Chest, and Cancer Funds. Throughout the year, the Nobles and Daughters of Sinai visit and present gifts to the Children's Convalescent Hospital, Homes for the Aged, New Orphan Asylum, Longview, and Drake Hospitals.
It is noteworthy that Sinai Temple No. 59 won the prize banner for the best Shrine Drill Patrol on August 11-17, 1929, in Chicago, Illinois. This was a prestigious honor, and the Ohio representatives were proud of the award. Noble Edward Townsend was the Illustrious Potentate, and the patrol was headed by the late Captain Sneed. Since then, Sinai has come in third place, under the leadership of Captain Daniel J. Neal, at the annual competitive drill held during the Imperial Council session.
The members of Sinai realized that if Prince Hall Shrine and Sinai are to continue to grow, they needed to secure a place to expand. They learned that the Elder Council Knights of Columbia Temple at 1647 Clayton Street was for sale and began negotiations with the Elder Knights of Columbia. These negotiations were finally agreed upon on March 28, 1968. Four Nobles, namely Noble John C. Anderson, Noble William Sherman, Noble Clifton Cruciskson, and Noble Roy L. Goosbey, met at the Hyde Park Savings and Loan to close the deal. Those four Nobles signed the mortgage, and Nobles Harding Hatcher, chairman; Lambert Sloan, co-chairman; and Hampton Jamison Jr., headed the Sinai Temple Building company.
Sinai Temple No. 59 was the first black organization to hold a dance at the Old Topper Ballroom, which is now Music Hall Ballroom. It was the first to have a night with the Cincinnati Reds at the old Crosley field on September 17, 1964, and to participate in the first annual Ohio Prince Hall Football Classic, East Illinois vs Central State University, on Saturday, September 24, 1955, at 1:30 p.m. at Welcome Stadium, Dayton, Ohio, with all the net proceeds going to Central State University and the Ohio Prince Hall Shrine Scholarship Foundation.