The Roanoker July/August 2022 - 11

" One look at the magnificent view afforded from this point and the majority of the visiting
Nobles were converted into enthusiastic supporters of the undertaking. " -THE ROANOKE TIMES
structure ran in the newspaper, with the campaign literature
describing the knoll in Raleigh Court as " the most
beautiful spot in America " and once developed would
become " unexcelled in beauty in this section. "
The mosque was described as being of " handsome
LEFT: A 1925 architectural
rendering of the Shriners' grand
mosque that was to be erected
on Shrine Hill.
BELOW: A 1920s aerial of the
Virginia Heights/Raleigh Court
section shows Shrine Hill.
proportions, of the ancient architectural style employed
by the Moors, unique, majestic, and entrancing. " The first
floor entrance would lead to an open-air terrace on either
side, overlooking the expansive grounds. The first floor
would contain a large lounge along with a large banquet
hall, dining room, private dining rooms, and administrative
offices. The second floor would be occupied by an
immense auditorium with a stage, dressing rooms and
property rooms. This same floor would be complimented
by reading and writing rooms, game rooms, private rooms,
On complete payment of each loan, there would be
issued a Certificate of Indebtedness. The amount of the
loan was to be paid to the estate or beneficiary of the
loaner at his death or to the loaner himself in case of
disability. Loans would be received from the minimum
of $200 and up. " The plan has been received with great
favor and success in building Temples in other communities
and will undoubtedly find a loyal response in
behalf of this great movement of Kazim Temple to secure
a permanent home. Every Noble will be asked to be a
Temple builder and their names will be entered in the
cornerstone of the mosque and in a permanent record to
be kept in the mosque. " reported the Times. With this,
the campaign was launched.
For the next several days The Roanoke Times kept
its readers updated as to the Shriners' progress. " Kazim
Temple Begins Drive, Zone 13 Over the Top " read a
headline dated May 19th. Campaign workers dined
together at 6:30 every night of that week to report their
progress. Members were reporting donations from as far
away as New York City and Miami, Florida.
Congressman Clifton A. Woodrum was heavily
involved, showing up at various campaign dinner meetings
throughout the Temple's region and giving motivational
speeches. " Shriners Pass $100,000 Mark, Two
Zones Are Over Top " ran the headline of May 20th.
State Senator R.O. Crockett of Tazewell was working
in Southwestern Virginia with much success, as Galax
was leading in pledged loans after two days. A few days
later, the Roanoke Times proclaimed, " Enthusiasm In
Kazim Temple's Drive For Mosque Is Growing. " By day
three of the campaign, pledged loans totaled $158,750.
Securing loans from Roanoke City Shriners were
and lodge rooms. The ground floor would be reserved
for recreational purposes. A detached guest house would
contain 33 rooms to accommodate overnight visitors.
The drive for $400,000 was well organized. The campaign
united the entire jurisdiction from Lynchburg to
Appalachia, involving some 300 Nobles. The territory of
the Kazim Temple was divided into fifteen zones, under
the direction of Noble J.O.D. Copenhaver. The goal of the
effort was to solicit each member of the Kazim to make a
loan to the Kazim Temple Corporation without interest.
TheRoanoker.com
H.T. Martin, Cecil E. Bertie, H.B. Gray, J.W.J. Goff,
S.R. Mason, John Antrim, W.F. Davis, and F.B. Reid.
On May 27th, after the announced eight days of the campaign
ended, the Shriners were short by nearly $57,000.
Needing the full amount, Shrine leaders nevertheless
declared the campaign a success and committed to a quiet
campaign in sections distant from Roanoke. Some 1,200
Nobles in the territory solicited had not pledged, and
campaign leaders believed their late commitments would
put the campaign over the top. Of all the Nobles, 1502
had made pledged loans, with the average loan being
$229. Roanoke's Shriners had pledged over $192,000.
Though the amount pledged was significant, ongoing
efforts fell short. The total needed was not achieved.
Sobered by exhaustive efforts without results, Roanoke's
Kazim Temple decided to abandon their " playground of
the Masonry. " Decades later, the Temple would do a land
swap deal with the City of Roanoke, gaining a tract on
Campbell Avenue and additional funds in exchange for
their coveted Shrine Hill. I
JULY/AUGUST 2022 11
COURTESY OF THE VIRGINIA ROOM, ROANOKE PUBLIC LIBRARIES

http://www.TheRoanoker.com

The Roanoker July/August 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Roanoker July/August 2022