History of Mosaic Templars | Arkansas African Americans Mosaic Templars Building Preservation Society

Founded in 1882 as a fraternal organization by John E. Bush and Chester W. Keatts, the Mosaic Templars of America became one of the largest black-owned business enterprises in the world by providing burial and life insurance to members; operating a building and load association, a newspaper, a nursing school, a hospital; and offering other social programs to the community. During the 1920's, Mosaic Templars' membership numbered in the tens of thousands with chapters in 26 states and foreign countries.

The Mosaic Templars re-invested their wealth in the black community to create social and economic impact. They began construction of their landmark 3-story national headquarters in 1911 in downtown Little Rock. The 10,000 square foot building housed independently operated professional and retail businesses; membership services offices; and a 3rd floor auditorium, which hosted theatrical and musical performances as well as symposia. The Mosaic Templars' National Headquarters Building still stands at the southwest corner of Ninth and Broadway in downtown Little Rock where it was constructed in 1911 under the supervision of a local architect, Frank W. Blaisdell. The Headquarters Bulding was the largest of three buildings constructed by the Mosaic Templars on Broadway, which housed other black businesses and professional offices.

Photo of the Mosaic Templar's Endowment Office staff from the History of the Mosaic Templars of America and Its Founders and Officials.
Courtesy Special Collections, University of Arkansas Libraries, Fayetteville.

Dedicated in 1913 by Booker T. Washington, the Mosaic Templars Building became a vibrant center for African American life and an important symbol of black economic achievement in racially-segregated Little Rock. For nearly 40 years, the Mosaic Templars' headquarters building was the anchor of the thriving black social and economic district that stretched for blocks among West Ninth Street. The economic effect and example set by the Mosaic Templars was felt throughtout the state, the nation, and beyond.

The following excerpt is from the History of the Mosaic Templars of America - Its Founders and Officials by A.E. Bush and P.L. Dorman. Click here to download the book as a PDF file.

"It has often been a question in the minds of many, whether or not the success of the organization does not partly, if not wholly, depend upon the reason that the entire secret works were designed after the life of Moses, who was one of the most outstanding figures in biblical history. To those who are familiar with the organization, they agree that it is built and operated entirely upon all the principles of Christianity. The oppressed conditions of the Negro at the time of organization were in such deep resemblance to the conditions of the Children of Israel that, in designing the Mosaic Templars of America, the founders were moved to make the selection of the life of Moses as the basis for the principles around which to build the Order, So, it is readily seen that the Mosaic Templars were designed from the very beginning as an organization of love and charity and also as a medium of giving protection and leadership to members of its race as did Moses to the Children of Israel. Hence, the founders, in making such a selection, had no alternative other than selecting a name for the Order that would reflect the story around which the secret works were written. So, the first name given was that of "The Order of Moses," under which they operated until a formal application for a charter to the State of Arkansas was made. A few days prior to making application, the little band met and upon suggestion the name was changed to that of "Mosaic Templars of America," in which name the charter was granted in 1883, under which the organization yet operates. In relating these facts, we are reminded also of the sound business management that has accompanied it and which has played a good part in its growth."