The Ancient Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine was founded in 1872 by a group of 13 men belonging to the Masonic Order. It was originally established to provide fun and fellowship for its members. On January 3, 1888, Imperial Potentate Sam Briggs granted the dispensation for Al Kader Shrine. On February 15, 1888, members of Islam Shrine conferred the Shrine degrees in Portland, Oregon. Pratt
was elected the first Illustrious Potentate on February 15, 1888. Al Kader was the 46th charter and the first in the Pacific Northwest. Pratt’s great grandson, Noble Ard Pratt, is today an active Al Kader Shriner. By 1900, over 80 Shrine chapters had been established. Since that time, 191 Shrine Centers have been established throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Panama. The Imperial Council met in Portland, Oregon, in 1920. Al Kader Shriners and their delegation helped to write that indelible page in the Book of Humanity, and thus began the Shriners Hospitals for Children, for it was here that the movement to define our philanthropy began. Since that time, for over 75 years, more than 700,000 children with orthopedic problems, burns and spinal cord injuries have been treated up to their 18th birthday, in a network of 22 hospitals providing pediatric specialty care, innovative research, and outstanding teaching programs for medical professionals. Children up to age 18 with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate are eligible for care and receive all services in a family-centered environment, regardless of the patients’ ability to pay. In 1924, the third Shriners hospital opened in Portland on NE 82nd Ave. Sandy Boulevard. Eventually, it was decided to build a new facility within the Oregon Health Sciences medical complex, overlooking the downtown area from the West Hills, at a capital investment of over $25 million. The new hospital also includes a Research Center and specializes in orthopedic treatment and surgery. We are very fortunate to have one of the Shriners hospitals located in Portland. In 2004, we celebrated the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Shriners hospital in Portland. The Al Kader Shriners Center was originally located in downtown Portland. In 1993, Al Kader moved the executive offices and Shriners Center to Wilsonville, Oregon, minutes south of the Portland metropolitan area. Our Wilsonville location affords more convenient access from the Interstate 5 freeway system, free parking, large meeting rooms, Harrington Hall, (a large dining hall for social events), and our storage building for most of our Unit’s motorized equipment. A recently completed memorabilia room within our Center displays the rich history of Al Kader Shriners. You are welcome to visit the room when you visit us. Nobles, their Ladies and the public are welcome to visit our Center during office hours, Monday through Friday, 10 am until 5 pm.
