Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque
Introduction
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This building is one of Springfield's more unique landmarks. Built in 1923, it is not an Islamic mosque, but the home of the city's branch of the Shriners, a fraternal philanthropic society founded in 1872 in New York City. Named after a Sufi saint (Sufism is a branch of Islam), the Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque has been southwest Missouri's main civic and cultural center ever since it was built. It was designed in the Moorish Revival style, which gives it its unique appearance. The upper level features a large auditorium that can seat over 4,000 people. The first floor features a room that can seat 1,300 and a museum. The building is used today for a variety of events such as concerts.
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The Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque was built in 1923.
Backstory and Context
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Abou Ben Adhem organized in 1903. Membership grew steadily over the next couple of decades, which is what prompted the construction of the mosque. The building has hosted a range of events and several celebrities and politicians including Frank Sinatra, Ronald Reagan, and Harry Truman.
Sources
"History." Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque. Accessed November 19, 2018. http://theshrinemosqueonline.com/history.html.
Soren, Noelle. "Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. September 9, 1982. https://dnr.mo.gov/shpo/nps-nr/82003137.pdf.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Soren, Noelle. "Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. September 9, 1982. https://dnr.mo.gov/shpo/nps-nr/82003137.pdf.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons