Roy W. Bierschwale *
Illustrious Sir Roy W. Bierschwale
Potentate – 1975
The new Arabia Temple Mosque, a long-cherished dream of our Nobility, finally became a reality in Roy W. Bierschwale’s year as Illustrious Potentate in 1975. Other Arabia first’s included: elected a new Recorder, John W. Sizemore; a new Greeters unit was formed; instituted a new type benefit for our hospitals; and reached a new high in membership during the year.
Illustrious Potentate Bierschwale began with a spectacular Inaugural Ball, attended by 1,500 nobles and ladies, in the Astroworld Hotel Grand Ballroom. Imperial Potentate Jack M. Streight was in Houston on March 3 for his official visit to Arabia Temple and also participated in the flag-raising ceremonies at our new mosque, 2900 North Braeswood.
The Grand Opening of the New Mosque, a week-long series of events, began with Open House on National Shrine Hospital Day, May 18. On Sunday, May 25, Right Worshipful and Illustrious J. W. Chandler (Past Grand Master and Sovereign Grand Inspector General of Texas Scottish Rite) presided over the formal dedication ceremonies which made the largest Shrine Mosque in the South a reality. Praise and accolades abounded, for our new mosque was truly the greatest single achievement in Arabia’s history. This was largely due to the astuteness and leadership of our Potentate, Roy Bierschwale, who also served as the General Building Chairman for this magnificent edifice.
For the first time, Arabia Temple’s Crippled Children’s Hospital Benefit was a tabloid sale (a fund-raising project used by many Shrine Temples throughout the country) called “Telling the Shrine Story”. This one-day operation on Saturday, March 29th, was more successful than any previous Crippled Children’s Benefit, in that a larger percentage of the total gross receipts were given to our two great Texas hospitals.
A record-breaking 989 new members were initiated into Arabia in six ceremonials in 1975. The Spring Ceremonial on March 22 brought membership to 9,026. On May 17, an All-the-Way-in-One-Day Ceremonial brought in 475 Novices, one of the largest classes in the 60-year history of Arabia Temple. A Summer Ceremonial was held on August 9. The All-the-Way-in-One-Day on September 20 produced 131 novices. The Brazos Valley Shrine Club initiated 27 novices in a ceremonial on October 4. Finally, Temple membership reached 9,650 with the All-the-Way-in-One-Day-Either-Way Ceremonial on December 6.
El Paso hosted the Texas Shrine Association in June. The Band, Provost Guard, Clown Jewels, and the Motor Corps all won trophies for Arabia Temple. For the second consecutive year, the Patrol won first place in competition and in parade at the Imperial Council meetings in Toronto, Canada. The Clown Jewels also won first place. Imperial Sir W. W. “Woody” Bennett of Ararat Temple in Kansas City was elected Imperial Potentate.
“The Greatest Show in Houston”, the Arabia Temple Shrine Circus, opened on September 30th and played through October 12th. The 1975 Circus, featuring 20 thrilling acts, traditionally exceeded all previous shows.
The Temple was saddened by the sudden death of Past Potentate Lewis C. Heacher on June 14, 1975. The Illustrious Sir was Potentate in 1973. He was greatly mourned.
A gala New Year’s Eve Ball, the first one in our new mosque, closed a very successful, and probably the most unparalleled year, in Arabia Temple’s history.
