Past Illustrious Potentate

 History of Medina Temple No. 19
On June10,1893, the Imperial Grand Council of Prince Hall Shriners was organized in
Chicago, Illinois with John G. Jones and Grand Potentate. On December 12,1900, in
Philadelphia, Pa. the Imperial Council was reorganized with a new name, Imperial Council of the
Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles of The Mystic Shrine, North and South America and Its
Jurisdictions, Inc.
In August,1893, Medina Temple Received its original warrant and was the 3rd Temple
Organized. In 1906 Medina Temple was re-warranted and given the number 19. Today, we are
MEDINA TEMPLE NO.19 - and we were trailblazers! Medina Patrol was the first unit of its
kind at Richmond Virginal in 1907. Medina established and set the tone for future patrol and
display patrol units at the annual Imperial Council Conventions.
MEDINA TEMPLE NO.19 has provided substance and leadership to the Imperial Council.
Three sons of MEDINA have had the honor and privilege of serving our Noble order as Imperial
Potentate. They are Eugene Phillips (1910 to 1913); Harry Knight (1931 to 1935); and Charles
A. Dargan (1969 to 1971). It is interesting to note that in June 1992, the United Grand Lodge of
England, Mother Grand Lodge of Freemasonry, while commemorating its 275th anniversary,
selected 275 outstanding Masons; Lionel Hampton, a noble son of Medina was a selectee.
MEDINA TEMPLE NO.19 has been well served by many famous and outstanding nobles
such as Matthew A. Henson, an explorer, who served with Admiral Perry on the trip to the North
Pole; A. Phillip Randolph, a civil rights and religious leader, Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. who was
a politician, civil rights and a religious leader, John W. Davis, presidential advisor, educator, and
civil rights leader; Thurgood Marshall, a civil rights legal pioneer, and Supreme Court Judge;
Rev. Calvin Butts, A dynamic religious leader; William J. Richardson, businessman, Vice
President of the Schieffelin & Somerset Company; Dick Gidron, Businessman and
Philanthropist, Milton Hinton, noted jazz musician and Hilton Jefferson, musician, and
composer.
As we look back and bask in the warm afterglow of our unique seasons of light, love, glory
and grandeur and reverence; in this moment of history, we are challenged to rededicate ourselves
to maintaining our unique position on history. We are called to heed the challenge of our
heritage, our history, our traditions, and the winds of change. To forget the past is the same as
removing ourselves and our accomplishments from history. Events and persons of the past are
precious. They remain in our memories and should be cherished by us.
As we observe our rich history, we stand on sacred ground drenched with the blood, sweat
and tears of the brave and loyal nobles who have traveled the sands before us.
Past Illustrious Potentate 

John L, Robinson