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Potentate's Breaking News is the current Potentate's monthly important message to everyone interested in our Shrine Center and what we do. The Potentate's information is shared with the public and its members to inform them about the many exciting fun events and our philanthropy. Potentates Breaking News Potentates Video 2026 Potentates Message Coming Soon Charles E. Maddox

Join the Shrine Lady Organizations. The ladies enjoy the Shrine through several independent organizations that women who are related to a Shriner are eligible to join. They include: Daughters of the Nile (DON) The Ladies Oriental Shrine of North America The Shrine Guilds of America Shrine Lady Organizations Shriners’ ladies enjoy the Shrine through several independent organizations that women who are related to a Shriner are eligible to join. There organizations support Shriners Hospitals for Children®

We believe that Masonry and Shriners are closely related and that the two should be seen as one. We are dedicated to upholding the values and beliefs of Masonry and the Shrine, and we strive to bring a sense of community and fellowship to our members. We believe that one of the greatest gifts that a man can receive is to be a part of something bigger than himself. What are the Shriners and Masonry? Ben Hur Shriners is a fraternity that is dedicated to the principles of brotherly love, relief, and truth. We are committed to helping those in need through our various charitable works, and we strive to build strong relationships between our members. We believe that Masonry and Shriners are closely related and that the two should be seen as one. We are dedicated to upholding the values and beliefs of Masonry and the Shrine, and we strive to bring a sense of community and fellowship to our members. We believe that one of the greatest gifts that a man can receive is to be a part of something bigger than himself. How do Masonry and Shriners relate to one another? Review the Masonic view of what is the Shrine or What are the Shriners.

Join us on Twitter #ShrinersInternational #ShrinersHospitals #Shriners #Shriners #AAONMS #FreeMason #YorkRite #ScottishRite Join us on Twitter #ShrinersInternational #ShrinersChildren #FreeMason #YorkRite #ScottishRite

The Editorial without Words image is on many billboards, trucks, and other signs for the Shriners Hospitals for Children and Shrine Centers. The story it tells needs no explanation. This story depicts a Shriner, wearing his fez, carrying a little girl in one hand and her crutches in the other. Editorial without Words “No Man Stands So Tall As When He Stoops To Help A Child”. The Editorial without Words image is on many billboards, trucks and other signs for the Shriners Hospitals for Children and Shrine Centers. The story it tells needs no explanation. This story depicts a Shriner, wearing his fez, carrying a little girl in one hand and her crutches in the other. You will see this image on many full size statues in front of Shriners Hospitals, Shrine Centers and International Shrine Headquarters. Its origin is a real photograph taken in 1970 at an amusement park in Evansville, Indiana. The little girl in the photo is Bobbi Jo Wright, who was born with cerebral palsy. Her orthopedic problems were treated at St. Louis Shriners Hospital for Children, and Bobbi Jo went on to graduate from Anderson University in Indiana. The Shriner carrying Bobbi Jo is Al Hortman, who became a Mason and a Shriner after his own daughter was treated at the St. Louis Hospital. The image that was photographed by accident by a local newspaper photographer has been reproduced on pins, patches, shirts, statues, clothing, hats, and even stained-glass windows. The photo known as the "Editorial without Words" is probably one of the best recognized symbols of Shriners Hospitals for Children, yet it was taken almost by accident. Randy Dieter, the photographer, recalled that in 1970, he had been on assignment covering the local Shrine Temple's annual outing for handicapped children at the now-defunct Mesker Amusement Park in Evansville, Indiana. "I was taking shots of the midway and was using my telephoto lens," Dieter said. "I saw a local Shriner walking by carrying a little girl in one hand and her crutches in the other. My camera wouldn't fire. "Then they were too close for my lens. I ran past them, but the camera jammed. I had to take my last shot as they walked by. It was the end of the roll. If I had to think about it, I wouldn't have come up with something like that. Fate guides you." "It still seems unreal," said Bobbi Jo Wright, the little girl in the photo. "I have many wonderful memories of the years I was a patient at the St. Louis Shriners Hospital and remember all the fun activities. I was born with cerebral palsy, which resulted in many orthopedic problems that made walking difficult. I had many surgeries at the St. Louis Hospital. They greatly improved my ability to walk." Bobbi Jo received her B.A. in English from Anderson University. She is active in her church and teaches Sunday school. "I use a cane when I go shopping," she said. "If I'm walking on grassy areas, I use crutches." The Shriner who was unexpectedly immortalized carrying Bobbi Jo was Al Hortman. Al Hortman's daughter, Laura, was a patient at the Shriners Hospital in St. Louis. After Laura began receiving treatment at Shriners Hospitals, Al Hortman joined the Shrine.

Shriners Hospitals Directory helps you get to know where our hospitals are located with contact phone numbers and addresses and links to our Patient Care Facilities. Shriners Hospitals Directory Hospitals & Clinics No man stands so tall as when he stoops to help a child

The Past Potentates of our Shrine Chapter without whose leadership and tireless effort. We would like to take the time to thank each of our Past Potentates for their hard work, which in turn has been able to help many children. Past Potentates This page is dedicated to all the Past Potentates of Ben Hur Shriners without whose leadership and tireless effort, Ben Hur Shriners would not be successful as it is today. So we would like to take the time to thank each of our Past Potentates for their hard work, which in turn has been able to help many children throughout the years. Many Thanks to all our Past Potentate Leaders. Find Year Name Picture 2026 Charles E. Maddox 2025 James McConnell 2024 James Heineman 2023 Charles "Fester" Jones 2022 Dennis Motley 2021 Romeo Denghel 2020 Romeo Denghel 2019 Jeffrey Clark 2018 Gregory P. Rye 2017 Bradley Cole 2016 Earl Robertson 2015 Edward G. Bromstad 2014 Thomas H. Hauss Jr. 2013 Richard H. McNabb 2012 Edward P. Whitmore 2011 Michael L. "Mike" Ford 2010 Walter E. "Gene" Sanders 2009 James R. "Jim" Smith 2008 Charles J. Farnham 2007 Robert F. "Fred" Park Jr. 2006 Robert L. Ligon Jr. 2005 Silas A. Powell 2004 Ronnie G. Jackson 2003 Wendell E. Koening 2002 Ronnie H. Lee Jr. 2001 John E. Waggoner Jr. 2000 Loren Ray Orme 1999 Mackie G. Ratliff 1998 Norman Motgomery 1997 Ronald C. Harrison 1996 Stephen T. Rye, Sr. 1995 Gene L. Freudenberg 1994 Joe C. Cole 1993 Sammy Powell 1992 Robert Emrie 1991 Boyce K. Freitag 1990 Royce R. Myers 1989 Robert E. "Bob" Kelly 1988 W. Keith Johnson 1987 John Fannin 1986 Chester C. "Buddy" Nelle 1985 W. Andy Hibbert Jr. M.D. 1984 Cecil Smith 1983 John B. Robertson 1982 Joe W. Gault 1981 Harry T. Balagia 1980 John D. Pope 1979 Horace O. Ivy 1978 David A. Curry 1977 Hans H. Blangger 1976 Burch Biggerstaff 1975 Walter E. Orr 1974 Blanchard H. Bland 1973 John D. Beasley 1972 Cecil Nobles 1971 Leonard C. Hicks 1970 Lincoln Farris 1969 C.T. Uselton 1968 T.O. Lang 1967 Marion Toole 1966 Joe Bland 1965 B. Rex Shields 1964 Marshall V. Turner 1963 M.W. Glosserman 1962 Wm. Jack Roberts 1961 J.C. Hinsley 1960 John D. Simpson 1959 F.L. Kuykendall 1958 Marlin E. Smalley 1957 E.C. Bartholomew 1956 Joe K. Wells 1955 A.F. Jones 1954 Charles Leggott 1953 Wm. B. Ranson 1952 Oliver L. Wolfe 1951 C.A. McAden 1950 Holland Page 1949 E.L. Bauknight 1948 Homer Thornberry 1947 C. Hobart Owens 1946 Ed J. St. John 1945 Claude W. Voyles 1944 John W. Gainer 1943 A.N. McCallum Jr. 1942 Thomas C. Green 1941 Charles F. Petet 1940 C.M. Bartholomew 1939 1938 Walter E. Seaholm 1937 Jesse L. Rose 1936 Ed C. Rather 1935 J. Bouldin Rector 1934 Carl H. Mueller 1933 Chas B. Cook 1932 E.C. Munro 1931 Dr. Edgar Smith 1930 M.H. Reed 1929 Roger B. Tyler 1928 Morris Burns 1927 A.C. Bull 1926 Sully B. Robereau 1925 Horace C. Barnhart 1924 George S. Dowell 1923 H.H. Taylor 1922 B.S. Dickinson 1921 J.H. Tobin 1920 A.F. Beverly 1919 F.E. Righton 1918 J.W. McLaughlin 1917 R.C. Robereau 1916 D.H. Doom 1915 W.D. Hood 1914 C.A. Soule 1913 George Fiegel, Jr. 1912 W.G. Franklin 1911 W.G. Bell 1910 J.W. Maxwell 1909 J.R. Hamilton 1908 1907 John R. Hunter 1906 F.E. Scovill 1905 M.M. Smith 1904 A.J. Eilers 1903 Herman Clausen 1902 W.D. Shelly 1901 Milton Morris 1900 H. L. Carleton 1899 R.W. Finley 1898 Charles Morse 1897 Charles Morse 1896 Frank Andrews 1895 1894 W.H. Bell 1893 David Boom 1892 Charles Morse

Join Us and Become A Member. Shrine Ceremonials are the beginning of becoming a new Shrine Member. You must be a master mason before becoming a Shriner. You can join at www.BeaShrinerNow.com Join Us & Become A Member Announcing the 2026 Spring Ceremonial Date ???? Time ???? Download Petitions Illustrious Sir Potentate Charles E. Maddox would like to announce the Ceremonial Location: Ben Hur Shriners 7811 Rockwood Lane Austin, TX 78757 Phone: (512) 480-0812 secretary@benhurshrine.org What Does It Mean to Be A Shriner? Potentate Charles Maddox Chief Rabban Charlie Farnham Assistant Rabban Ricky Hayes High Priest and Prophet Ron Speaks Oriental Guide Ricki Pierce Recorder Sam Stimson Ph.D. Treasurer James Heineman PP

Learn about our Shriner's history and how we started. We have fun with a purpose and our philanthropy is Shriners Children's. Ben Hur Shrine History Ben Hur Shriners Shrine Center is located in Austin, Texas. Ben Hur was granted its charter on August 16, 1892. We are always looking to expand our membership. BRIEF HISTORY OF BEN HUR SHRINE – AUSTIN, TEXAS On October 8, 1891, Ben Hur Shrine met under dispensation in the Oasis of Austin, Texas. Imperial Potentate Sam Briggs had appointed Illustrious Sir George H. Green, Potentate of Hella Temple in Dallas, Texas, to conduct the first meeting of the Ben Hur Shrine. Ben Hur Shrine continued to meet under dispensation, until the 1892 Imperial Council session held in Omaha, Nebraska. On August 15, 1892, the Imperial Council granted Ben Hur Shrine its Charter. When Ben Hur Shrine received its Charter it was the second Shrine Temple in Texas and the 58th Shrine Temple chartered. The first Ben Hur meetings were held in the Masonic Lodge located behind the main Austin Post Office and in 1910 Ben Hur and the Austin Scottish Rite Valley purchased an Opera Theater. This building is still the current Scottish Rite Building in Austin. In 1914 Ben Hur sold its interest in the building to the Scottish Rite and while Stated Meetings were still held at the Scottish Rite building, the various Units met at other locations around Austin. In the 1960s Ben Hur purchased a warehouse in north Austin, on U.S. Highway 183 near its intersection with Lamar Boulevard, for Unit meetings and other events. In 1974 Ben Hur sold this property and acquired 18 acres on the west side of Austin in the community of Westlake Hills. In 1975 construction was begun on an activity building and by 1976 offices were added and Ben Hur moved its Stated Meeting to the new facility, as well as its Unit meetings. The new Ben Hur was located adjacent to Westlake High School. The Ben Hur property was a great location with great view corridors of Austin and a good location for the Nobility. During its time there Ben Hur received several offers to purchase the property. One offer was for $7,000,000 cash and allowed us one year to relocate. However, the Nobility had no desire to relocate so every offer was rejected. Unfortunately, the Westlake School District wanted the property and in 2001 they took it by eminent domain proceedings. After a heated legal battle, Ben Hur was paid $3,400,000, which we were told was sufficient to purchase a like parcel of land and build a comparable structure. The check for the property was delivered to Ben Hur by a School Board Member, accompanied by a Deputy Sherriff, with an order to vacate the property within 48 hours. Ben Hur complied with the court order. This unfortunate chapter in the history of Ben Hur was devastating to our membership and caused the loss of many historical items and records. The school district put forth several bond issues to the voters of the District for the development of the Ben Hur property, but the community rejected the bonds, and the property was not developed. The school district didn’t use the property in any productive way, except parking, for many years. In about 2013, the old Ben Hur buildings were torn down. The school district still continues trying to use the property, without going back to the voters of the district, by leasing the property to others. For a three-year period, Ben Hur was without a home and met at various locations including the Scottish Rite Temple, the Elks Lodge and a rented location on Airport Boulevard, and finally an office building belonging to Noble E. M. Lawrence, which allowed us to meet there at no cost. Noble Lawrence was awarded a life membership to Ben Hur for generosity. Ben Hur purchased approximately 29 acres on Highway 71 approximately three miles east of the Austin International Airport with the intention of building a new center. The purchase price was $185,000. Three bids were received for the construction of a new facility comparable to the one in Westlake Hills. The lowest bid, including the cost of the land, was $1,000,000 more than the amount the school district had paid for the Westlake property. As the cost of building escalated and the time to do construction increased, the Nobility voted to purchase an existing building. Ben Hur Shrine acquired a closed funeral home, located at 7811 Rockwood Lane in Austin, and remodeled it for use as the Ben Hur Center and is currently still at this location. While there is no history of why Ben Hur was named “Ben Hur”, it was the name of the second best-selling book behind the Bible from 1880 to 1936. The book “Ben Hur”, the actual name of the book was “Ben Hur: A Tale of Christ” was written in the 1870s by Union Civil War General Lew Wallace. In addition to being a Civil War General, General Wallace served as territorial Governor of New Mexico during the time of Billy the Kid. Of course, Ben Hur Shrine was chartered and named prior to any of the “Ben Hur” movies, so our name came from the book, not the movies. Ben Hur published brochures during its early years, especially about upcoming Ceremonials. And, in the 1930s Ben Hur started the publication of a newsletter and named it “The Chariot”. The Chariot was published periodically until after World War II and starting in 1947, The Chariot was published monthly as Ben Hur’s method of communication. While electronic communications are changing how The Chariot is received by the Nobility, The Chariot continues to be the official communication method. Ben Hur Shrine’s first circus was in 1942 and in 1948 Ben Hur Shrine Circus became an annual event in Austin and has entertained thousands of Central Texans over the years. The Ben Hur Circus continues to be a principal fundraiser and fun event for Ben Hur. Every Shrine Center has its own unique fraternal pin. When Ben Hur was chartered in 1892, new pins were ordered. When the pins arrived, it was discovered that they had been made with the Simitar upside down, which is a sign of distress. The manufacturer refused to replace the pins saying that he had made the pins exactly as requested. Since Ben Hur had just been established and had no funds to replace the pins, the Potentate contacted Imperial Headquarters, explained the problem, and requested permission to use the upside-down pins. Imperial granted special dispensation to Ben Hur to use the pin as manufactured and to this day, it remains Ben Hur’s official pin. The Purpose of Ben Hur Shrine is Fun, Fellowship, and Brotherly Love and that is our foremost objective. Ben Hur representatives were present at the Imperial Shrine Convention when the delegation voted to have a philanthropy and open a children’s hospital for the purpose of treating children with polio. That first hospital was opened in 1922 in Shreveport, Louisiana, and over the years has increased to 22 hospitals for children. Shriners support Shriners Hospitals for Children, a health care system of 22 hospitals that are committed to providing care for children in our specialty areas of Orthopedics, Burn Care, Spinal Cord Injury, and Cleft Lip and Palate, regardless of a family’s ability to pay. Throughout Ben Hur Shrine history, Ben Hur has been a consistent contributor to the world's greatest philanthropy Shriners Hospital for Children. Ben Hur Shriners truly know and support the mission of our hospitals and believe in the meaning of the slogan “No Man Stands So Tall As When He Stoops To Help A Child”. HAVING FUN – CARING FOR KIDS – CHANGING THE WORLD

Join our professional Shriners and Shriners Children network on Facebook. You will find plenty of information, videos, pictures, and events about Shriners and all they do. Join us on Facebook Shriners Around the World Group Ben Hur Shriners Facebook Group Imperial Potentate Shriners International Shriners Children