Shrine History
In 1870 a number of Masons meet regularly at the Knickerbocker Cottage, a restaurant in Manhattan for lunch. An idea was brewing to form a new fraternity in which fun and fellowship would be stressed instead of ritual. From this beginning the current Shriners of North America evolved. Two Masons, Billy Florence (an actor) & Walter M. Fleming (a medical doctor) were the key figures in getting the Shrine started.
By the 1920’s the Shrine was unstoppable, spreading to Canada, Honolulu, Mexico City, and the Republic of Panama. During this same time there was growing member support for establishing an official Shrine charity. From this came the idea of a Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children. The cornerstone was laid by June of 1922.
The hospitals have since changed their name to Shriners Hospitals for Children to reflect the widening scope of their service to children and their research program.
Today the system consists of 22 hospitals providing care for orthopedics, burns, and research. Recently an additional program has been added to meet the needs of children with cleft palate disfigurements.
The Kem Shriners
Kem Shriners is the local chapter based out of Grand Forks, ND and has a jurisdiction that covers areas in both North Dakota and Minnesota.
To find out more about the Kem Shriners, visit kemshriners.com
Kem Shrine Circus
“The Circus is coming to town!” is a familiar cry each spring. For many years people have been lining up to see that excitement that is the Kem Shrine Circus. Circuses are held in Minot, Williston, and Grand Forks.