Frank C. Jones *

Illustrious Sir Frank C. Jones

Potentate - 1916

Elected Imperial Potentate in 1928

Arabia Temple was underway. The El Mina Patrol was officially designated as Arabia Temple Patrol, and they returned El Mina’s uniforms. A Bal Mosque (Ball), at City Auditorium on March 2nd, netted approximately $2,000 for sending the Patrol and the newly-organized Band to the Imperial meetings. Tickets were sold to the general public at $2 each.

On March 9th, Imperial Potentate J. Putnam Stevens, the first Imperial Potentate to make an official visit to Arabia Temple, was given a reception in the Rice Hotel parlors followed by a theatre party at the Queen Theatre.

The Band and Patrol represented Arabia Temple for its first pilgrimage to the Imperial Session in Buffalo, New York. And the record states that the Band “was highly praised by our distinguished guests.” San Antonio’s Alzafar Temple was chartered at this Imperial Council Session. (Both the Band and Patrol performed at their constituting ceremonies in San Antonio on October 20, 1916.)

Following the August 26th ceremonial, the Nobles and their ladies adjourned to the Rice Hotel for watermelons, dancing and cards.

Potentate Frank C. Jones began the practice of giving the orphans of the city an annual outing. Furthermore, he closed his year with Arabia Temple out of debt, and with $7,000 in the reserve fund. During his official visit to the then “baby” Temple in Shrinedom, Imperial Potentate J. Putnam Stevens said, “I predict that in the near future, this baby will be a very much grown up one.”