Palmetto Grand Lodge

Islam Temple Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, was placed under dispensation in 1959 and was chartered by the Imperial Council in 1960. This was the first Shrine temple of F.A.A.Y. Masons to be set up in the state of South Carolina. At that time George Johnson was the Grand Master of Palmetto Grand Lodge (Yorkrite affiliation).

The word Islam comes from the name of the Mohammedan religion. While our order does not serve as a religious sect, the name Islam shows the relationship of the order to the Near East where it was first instituted.

During its early years Islam Temple worked under the watchful eye of Shriners from the neighboring state of Georgia who had been very inspirational in the establishing of this Shrine temple. During these times, under the leadership of Noble Lee. S. Parker who had been appointed as the first Potentate, Islam Shriners faced several problems but continued to endure.

On December 9, 1961 a meeting was called by the Potentate for the election of officers. The first elected officers of Islam Temple were: Richard Peterson, Potentate; Tom Talley, Chief Rabban; J.W. Swinton, Assistant Rabban; J.E. Dozier, High Priest and Prophet; Fred Sammon, Oriental Guide; F.C. Pickens, Treasurer; J.C. Voorhees, Recorder.

These officers and those appointed by the new Potentate assumed the task of leading Islam Shriners. With this divan Islam Temple began to show great progress. Subordinate temples were established (similar to subordinate lodges of the Masonic Grand Lodge). The first subordinate temple was set up at Greenville, South Carolina with J.C. Voorhees as Noble Potentate. Subsequently, subordinates to Islam Grand Temple were established in seven other South Carolina cities: Columbia, Aiken, Greenwood, Charleston, Sumter, Orangeburg, and Eastover.

It was recommended by the Imperial Potentate that quarterly business sessions be held every ninety days. The first of these quarterly sessions was held at Schofield High School in Aiken, South Carolina with Islam Temple No. 4 serving as host. Noble Potentate J.E. Dozier and the Nobles and citizens of Aiken extended to the visiting Nobles the "red carpet" treatment. We were fortunate to have as our guests the Imperial Potentate Charles W. Peters along with the Imperial Lecturer, Nelson T. Archer: the Illustrious Potentate of Georgia, W. H. Odom, Jr., and the degree team of Georgia's grand temple. These Nobles assisted us in conducting our first initiation ceremonies. Approximately one-hundred-fifty were in attendance at this our first quarterly session. Since our first one in Aiken, quarterly sessions have been held in Columbia, Charleston, Greenwood, Clinton, Sumter, Greenville, and Eastover.

Islam Shriners later returned to Aiken, South Carolina on November 14, 1964 for a Quarterly Business and Ceremonial Session. At this time our first parade was held. Parade units consisted of Nobles from South Carolina and Georgia along with local bands and units from other social organizations.

With improvements Islam Temple was later able to become the kind of organization we had always desired it to be. Funds were raised to do works of charity and we made our first contribution to the Shriners' Hospital for Crippled Children in Greenville, South Carolina in 1964. In addition to contributions to the Shriners' Hospital Islam Shriners have contributed to the Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation, the Hitchcock Center for Crippled Children (Aiken, S,C.), the Wilkerson Youth Home (Columbia, S.C.), and various community charities throughout the state.

In 1969 Islam Temple had progressed to the point that it was decided to petition the Imperial Council to being the National Conclave to South Carolina. Two years later Islam Temple hosted the National Conclave in Greenville, South Carolina. This conclave was the largest ever to be held among Yorkrite Shriners having been attended by Nobles and Daughters from all over the United States. Illustrious Potentate Richard Peterson and his divan were very pleased with the success of this event.

Islam temple sponsors several annual affairs - among them: the Red and White Fez Ball and Coronation of Miss Islam Temple, the Shriners' Gospel concert, and the Sickle Cell Anemia Ball.

The following have served as Potentates of Islam Temple: