October 2009 - Mocha Shriners

Mocha Temple History
The year is 1886, London, Ontario and a lone Shriner is
living in the city. He together with members of Knights
Templar, who had been initiated in Detroit, Michigan
petitioned to form a Shrine Temple in London. A dispensation
wa issued for “Sultanat Temple: and for a
short time London had the honour of having Canada’s
first Shrine Temple. However, the time was not yet right
for “Sultanat Temple” and it soon became dormant and
the dispensation was recalled.
Shrinedom in London dates from January 1, 1908 with
the foundation of Mocha Temple, and the seventh
Shrine Temple in Canada. Noble Harry Collins,
Potentate of Rameses Temple in Toronto, was instrumental
in obtaining the charter. Noble Collins late
became Imperial Potentate. The name “Mocha” was
chosen by the first Recorder Noble Ed Struthers.
The Shrine was seen as an organization where members
could relax and enjoy themselves. Shrine bands,
parades and elaborate costumes were part of the make
up. It was said that “the order was not much more than
a frolic for Masons of high degree”, and perhaps this
stimulated interest among Masons enough to steadily
increase the membership figures.
What was not so visible was that even in those years
considerable sums were raised for benevolence and
charitable projects. At one ceremonial a Union Jack was
carried around the hall and after the initial donation of
$500 a further amount of $466.60 was raised for poor
children of the city of London. This is much more than
it seems now when we think of what a dollar would buy
in those days. On another occasion the Salvation Army,
the schools and other organizations supplied the names
of 600 children who were in poor circumstance and they
were all supplies with Christmas repast. 1917 saw a
contribution to the fund for victims of the Halifax
explosion. In 1930 the bands and patrol entertained the
children from orphanages at the Western Fair. A patriotic
endeavor was the subscription of $500 for the Peace
Memorial at the Exhibition forces and war charities
were supported. In the year of 1940 Mocha presented a
$1,600 Ford ambulance to the Minister of Militia. The
children were not forgotten and Shriners have provided
transportation, entertainment, films and other amusements
for their enjoyment. Since 1920, Mocha’s main
charity has been the Shriners’ Hospitals for Children
and many hundreds of thousands of dollars have been
raised for this worthy undertaking.
Shrine activities continued to flourish through the years.
In order to provide a place for meetings and other functions
one of the stately old homes on Waterloo Street in
London was purchased. In 1955 this building was sold
for $38,000 and the Smallman residence at 468
Colborne Street was purchased for $35,000 with an
additional $847 for some of the contents. Additions
have been made, but the architectural beauty of the
original building has been maintained. The Trustees
work hard to maintain the grounds, rooms and furnishings.
In 1977, the banquet halls were added on for meetings
and social functions. In the recent past the interior
and exterior of the building has been refurbished and
redecorated completely with new furniture in the main
lounge area. Mocha Temple is a place where any
Shriner would be proud to bring his family and friends
for lunch or dinner.
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Page 22 November 2009 MOCHA NEWS