Note: The minutes found are recorded for both the Salkehatchie Shrine Unit and EL BAB Shrine Club.
During the early seventy's some of the local Shriners started a conversation about the possibly of a local shrine organization. From this talk Noble Lloyd Vickery Jr. and John H. Mole Jr. decided to hold a meeting. This first meeting was held November 3, 1976 at Pete's Restaurant that was located at Happy Bottom in Barnwell. Noble John H. Mole Jr. presided over the first meeting. During this meeting, which was recorded as "Temporary Meeting Number 1" - The following Nobles were selected to serve as temporary officers. Noble Lloyd Victory Jr. President, Noble Jack Peterson Vice President, Noble A.W. Lang Secretary, Noble John W. Riley Treasurer. During this meeting the following Nobles were also selected to serve on the Executive Committee as follows, Noble Cromer Gleaton from Blackville, Noble Jack Wannamaker from Barnwell, Noble Andrew Gramling and Noble Allen B. Cooley from Williston. In attendance at this first organizational meeting was: A.W. Lang, Charles Webb, Claude C. Holcomb, Frankie Peters, Freeman Nettles, Haywood Bobbitt, Hennis Creech, J.D. Cooper, J.W. Riley, Jack Peterson, Jack Tongour, Jack Wannamaker, John Bessinger Jr., John H. Mole Jr., John Morris, Johnnie Davis, Lloyd C. Vickery Jr., Lloyd C. Vickery lll, Lowell Linder, R.L. McConnell and Ray Johns and Carl Utsey of OMAR Temple.
Motion was made to set the Initiation and first year's dues at $25.00 also noted; dues will be $15.00 and will start January 1, 1978. Meetings will be held the second Monday at 7:30pm at Pete's Restaurant until further notice.
Meeting identified as (Preliminary Number 4) was held on February 14, 1977. During this communication it was decided that a Unit could be established under the jurisdiction of Jamil Temple.
Proceeds from the first newspaper sales were received for the Unit on May 1, 1977 at Barnwell's Harmony Lodge, also the number of hours each Noble worked were recorded. The Units top newspaper salesman was Lloyd C Vickery Jr. at $472.12 and he also recorded the most hours worked at 15. The total amount collected was $3232.33.
On May 8, 1977 (Preliminary meeting Number 7) was held at Noble John "Coconut" Davis's clubhouse. During this meeting the name of "SALKEHATCHIE OF OMAR TEMPLE" was established for the unit. The Shrine Unit also voted to limit the number of members to 50 during this meeting.
During the month of October 1977 the first Shrine Unit sponsored Fair was held at the Piggy Wiggly parking lot in Barnwell. The amount of proceeds received from the Fair sales were $91.83 and $1035.50 from Raffle sales. Also during this month the Aiken Shrine club offered to assist the Salkehatchie Shrine Unit with a fund raising idea, and bingo was the project.
Meeting held on December 5, 1977, Noble Lloyd Victory Jr. donated a fire truck to be used for parades and fund raising and it was decided that Bingo will be started on Saturday night February 4, 1978 at the American Legion Hut. After the unit started bingo this was found to be a very successful fund raising project.
The first reported candy sales was $600.00 as recorded during the March 13, 1978 meeting.
The minutes recorded July 10, 1978 was the first reported unit trip to the Greenville Hospital.
During the October 9, 1978 meeting that was held at Noble Guy Sutter's Cook House, Director Noble L.C. Victory Jr. presented Noble Johnnie "Coconut" Davis with a Jeweled Fez for allowing the Shrine unit to use his clubhouse for a number of communications.
It is recorded that John Bessinger Jr. was made a life member during the February 12, 1979 meeting.
The American Legion Hut lease was finally settled at the price of $25.00 per use on December 10, 1979. During the February 11, 1980 meeting Noble Guy Sutter reported that the float should be ready for use in the Hilda Fireman's Fun Festival. Also an award was received for 1st place from the Temple for exceeding the shrine bowl quota. Also recorded during this meeting, Noble L.C. Victory Jr. was selected to serve the Potentate as Aid for the year 1980.
During the August 10, 1981 meeting it was decided that the Salkehatchie Shrine Unit would contact the Potentate of OMAR Temple about forming a Shrine Club under the Jurisdiction of OMAR.
The year of 1984 saw all South Carolina Temples start concurrent jurisdiction. Barnwell County was primarily in OMAR TEMPLE territory.
September 10, 1984 Salkehatchie Shrine Unit was given permission to form a Shrine Club.
Minutes recorded during 1983 to 1984 meetings talked about purchasing the property on the East Side of the American Legion Hut on Reynolds Road.
The motion of Noble Ruben Spires during the January 14, 1985 meeting was the start of a Shrine Club in Barnwell.
Meetings came to a close at Pete's Restaurant on February 11, 1985.
In the June 10, 1985 meeting it was reported that Noble John Kevin Morris was selected as Potentate Aid for 1985. Also during the Fall Ceremony in 1985 our own Noble Ruben Spires won the Car and $4000.00 that was given away by OMAR Temple.
OMAR Temple notified Salkehatchie Shrine unit that a Shrine Club could be established. As recorded in the February 10, 1986 minutes.
The meeting on July 14, 1986 was when the name of EL BAB Shrine Club was established on the motion made by Noble Jimmy Baxley. This name means THE DOOR in Arabic Language, but the current EL BAB members know it as THE- BARNWELL, ALLENDALE and BAMBERG Shrine Club.
The following officers were elected to serve EL BAB as follows, Nobles James "Jimmy" Baxley as President, Hugh Strother as Vice President, Kevin Morris as Secretary and Claudus "Butch" Bragg as Treasurer. Appointed, as Board of Directors was as follows, James Baxley, I.W. Roundtree, Jack Peterson, J.D. Cooper and Guy Suter.
Meeting Held Monday October 13, 1986 was when El BAB Shrine Club was finally constituted as a Club. OMAR Potentate George Hallman installed the new officers that were elected during the July 14, 1986 meeting; assisting the potentate was Chief Rabban Gil Martin, Recorder Tom Phillips and High Priest & Prophet Charlie Youmans. Also during this meeting President Baxley appointed Noble L.C. Collins as Chaplain and the dues were set at $10.00 per year on motion made by Noble John Morris and seconded by Noble Ruben Spires. After appropriate remarks President Baxley closed the first EL BAB Shrine Club meeting at 8:50 P.M.
Note: During the following years the Salkehatchie Shrine Unit and EL BAB Shrine Club met mainly together, with the Unit holding the meeting, one month and then EL BAB holding the meeting the next month, because both the Unit and Club members were the same brethren.
During the February 9, 1987 club meeting our guest were as follows. Potentate Gil Martin, Oriental Guide Billy Hunt, Car-Chairman Don Holland, Uniform Units Director Verle Bohrn, Chief Aid Robert Connelly, Aid Woody Crosby, Shrine Bowl Chairman Danny McLaurin, and Membership Chairman Bill Wise. Potentate Martin gave some guidance on Shrine fund raising projects according to General Order #2. This rule requires any fund raising projects that mentions that the funds go to the Crippled/Burned Children or Shriner Hospitals must go directly to the Hospitals and not to EL BAB Shrine Club or OMAR Temple. It was reported that $341,463.05 was send to the Shriner Hospitals through our mother Temple OMAR during the year of 1986.
Noted in the minutes recorded on November 9, 1987, $40,000.00 was given to EL BAB Shrine Club from the Salkehatchie Shrine Unit. This money was earmarked for real estate purposes. This money came from proceeds made from playing bingo over the years. Also noted in the minutes, if EL BAB ever ceased to exist this money would be returned to the Salkehatchie Shrine Unit.
December 7, 1987 minutes recorded state that the EL BAB Shrine Club would sponsor the Circus (Franzen Brothers) as a fund raising project. The date the circus was held was April 6, and only $199.00 was made. This meeting is when the Club treasurer would be required to be bonded.
Also the process of incorporating the club started at this meeting.
During the meeting held on January 11, 1988 the members decided to establish a safety deposit box at the First Union Bank in Barnwell.
The first mention of an OMAR Temple Quota was brought up on the meeting held March 14, 1988. OMAR set this quota at $1000.00 for EL BAB Shrine Club. An audit report showed a standing balance of $1722.55 as of February 24, 1988.
Meeting held on April 11, 1988 would require two signatures on the bond for the Shrine Club, the President and the Treasurer. This remains today.
The law firm of Brown, Jefferson and Boulware completed the incorporation paper work for EL BAB Shrine Club and Salkehatchie Shrine Unit in 1985. And was paid $20.00 for their work. This was recorded in the August 8, 1988 minutes.
Note: During this time frame several fund raising projects were working. Such as Bicycle Races, preparing food and selling it at the Barnwell County Airport during the Parachuting events on the weekends. Festivals around the county and selling raffle tickets on Guns, Trolling Motor, etc. along with the Bingo Games that were being held on Saturday Nights at the American Legion Hut. The members purchased a concession trailer during this time also, but later sold it in 1999 due to event cancellations.
The property that was located on Reynolds Road mentioned above was purchased on March 13, 1989 according to the Salkehatchie Shrine Unit minutes for $4000.00 from a Mr. Robertson. This land is located on the north side of the American Legion Hut and joins the Hut property. This Property is still owned today by EL BAB Shrine Club.
On October 9, 1989 the Salkehatchie Shrine Unit received a letter requesting assistance with the damage that was done to our mother OMAR Temple that was located on the Battery in Charleston by Hurricane HUGO. $2500.00 was sent per this request.
Recorded in the minutes during the June 13, 1994 meeting were some very special words about our departed Brother J.E. "Coconut" Davis. Brother Davis was a very dedicated and devoted Member.
The first mention of raffling off a motorcycle was recorded in the April 12, 1998 minutes. This would be the start of what we know now as the Bikers Bash. The first bike that EL BAB Shrine Club purchased cost $12000.00.
Minutes recorded May 11, 1998 explains that EL BAB and Mr. Mike Riley that owns Harry's Sportmans Club is now planning what is now known as the (Harley-Davidson) BIKER BASH. This event will be held on November 7, 1998.
During the meeting held February 8, 1999 Noble David Barnette was selected to get an estimate on building a new building.
Communication held on February 14, 2000, the Nobles were notified that the old Two-Moon Junction on Patterson Mill Rd was for sale. President John Morris suggested that all meet on Friday February 18, 2000 at 5pm to inspect the building. Also during this meeting Noble Mike Morrow agreed to prepare our meals if anyone wants him to cook.
Potentate of OMAR, lustrous Sir Bobby Bruner of Orangeburg approved EL BAB Shriners request to purchase the Old Two-Moon Junction. The building size is 4,000 Sq. Ft.
The requirement of going through either the Scottish Rite or York Rite has been revised according to the minutes recorded on July 10, 2000. Every noble had to go one way or the other in order to belong to the shrine organization. Also during this communication was the first mention of inviting our ladies to our communications.
Salkehatchie Director Noble Dan Williams explained during the June 12, 2000 meeting that the purchase of the old "Two Moon Junction" would be completed on June 16, 2000. Our mortgage payment will be $1,541.00 per month.
Our first ladies night was held on November 30, 2000 in the EL BAB Shrine Club building.
Our first family night was held on June 9, 2001.
The Grand Lodge of South Carolina lowered the Masonic age requirement from 21 to 18 during Grand Lodge 2001 Communication. This will also apply to the OMAR Shrine Temple and all of the Units and Clubs under the Jurisdiction of OMAR Temple.
On September 11, 2001 airplanes hit the two Twin Towers in New York, Later this was found to be an act of terrorist by a group of people that called themselves the AL-QAEDA Network. After this event occurred the Shrine Temples saw a name change due to the possible confusion on the Temple names. All the Temples are now known as the Shrine Centers.
Meeting held November 12, 2001 saw the existence of the Salkehatchie Shrine Unit come to an end. All the Salkehatchie Shrine Unit members merged with EL BAB Shrine Club on a motion made by Noble David Barnette.
The first officers elected during the December 10, 2001 meeting after the merge of Salkehatchie Shrine Unit were as follows:
John T. McClary Jr. as President, John Neal Griffin as Vice President, John Kevin Morris as Treasurer and David Jackson Barnette as Secretary. Board Members
John J. Morris as Chairman, L.C. Collins, Hampton Scott Corbett, Charles B. Lott and Dan W. Williams
Let it also be known that Noble John J. Morris served as our district aid for approximately eighteen years.
The ladies Auxiliary was established during the year of 2001 and is still active as of this date.
First Officers elected were as follows:
Madam President Judy T. McClary
Madam Vice President Betty Morris
Madam Secretary Lana Griffin
Madam Treasure Sondra Brunson
The following list of Brethren has served as an elected officer in Salkehatchie Shrine Unit or EL BAB Shrine Club.
| Directors | Assistant Directors | Secretary | Treasurer |
| Lloyd Vickery, Jr. | Jack Peterson | J.D. Cooper | John W. Riley |
| John J. Morris | L.C. Collins | A.W. Lang | L.C. Collins |
| Jimmy Baxley | Randy Moore | C.R. Hodges | L.C. Victory, Jr. |
| Dan W. Williams | J.E. Davis | L.C. Victory III | A.E. Davis |
| John T. McClary, Jr. | Rueben Spires | John Neal Griffin | Mike Raley |
| H. Scott Corbett | Nicanor Augilar III | ||
| John F. Angel |
| Presidents | Vice Presidents | Secretary | Treasurer |
| Jimmy Baxley | Hugh Strother | Kevin Morris | Claudus Butch Bragg |
| John K. Morris | Guy Suter | David J. Barnette | Hugh Strother |
| John J. Morris | J.D. Cooper | John Neal Griffin | Wendall Gibson, Jr. |
| John T. McClary, Jr. | L.C. Collins | Matthew Connelly | John K. Morris |
| David J. Barnette | Richard "Dicky" Mitchum |
The Following Brethren have all passed thru the unseen Portals. The nobility of EL BAB misses and is saddened by the passing of the following Nobles:
| Noble A.W. Lang | Noble Hennis Creech |
| Noble Bruce Morris | Noble I.W. Roundtree |
| Noble Charles Webb | Noble J.E. Davis |
| Noble Cromer Gleaton | Noble John Bessinger, Jr. |
| Noble Haywood Bobbitt | Noble John H. Mole |
| Noble Cap Arnett |
The information contained in this document has been compiled from information found in the minute books of the Salkehatchie Shrine Unit and EL BAB Shrine Club. Salkehatchie Shrine Unit and EL BAB Shrine Club merged on November 12, 2001. Only the EL BAB Shrine Club exists now. The years covered are 1976 to 2003.
