The Cyprus Shriners app was created to help build a closer-knit private community: you can join conversations, share photos, learn about events, and find contact info for all members.
Cyprus Shriners are a part of Shriners International, a premier fraternal organization for Freemasons established in 1872, now with nearly 200 temples (chapters) in seven countries and thousands of clubs around the world. For over 140 years, Shriners have been promoting fun, fostering fellowship, instilling leadership and serving mankind through their philanthropy, a network of children’s hospitals located in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Shriners Hospitals for Children® is a health care system consisting of 22 facilities dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing pediatric specialty care, innovative research, and outstanding teaching programs for medical professionals. Shriners Hospitals offer advanced care for children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate.
In January 1877, Townsend Fondey organized a Shrine Temple at the Masonic Temple in Albany, NY. Although no name was assigned, a dispensation was granted and certificates of membership issued to the members as Nobles-at-Large, bearing the date January 22, 1877.
Cyprus Temple was formally organized February 1, 1877. The Temple has jurisdiction over Albany, Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Herkimer, Rensselaer, Schoharie and Ulster Counties. The Temple has concurrent Jurisdiction in Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery and Schenectady Counties. Cyprus Temple has had, and continues to have, many prominent Masons as members.
At its April 26, 1930 Ceremonial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was included in the class of candidates. He modestly listed his occupation as “lawyer” on his petition, but was at that time Governor of New York State (soon to become the 32nd President of the United States). The Governor was created a Noble of the Mystic Shrine in Cyprus Temple and Noble Roosevelt continued to be a member in good standing until the time of his death in 1945.
Cyprus Temple is currently located in Glenmont, NY. Throughout its long history Cyprus Shriners have participated in numerous parades, fundraising initiatives and transporting “our kids” to the Springfield, Boston and Philadelphia Hospitals.