Celebrating 80 Years Of Helping Children

Thirteen beds made up this patient ward for girls at the original hospital building of Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas (c. 1940). Photo: Media Services, TSRHC

Masons have always held a strong love and bond for their community, lending helping hands to their fellowman and showing compassion for the sick. In 1921, Masons Samuel P. Cochran, Walter C. Temple, and W. B. Carrell, M.D., were deeply moved by the tragedy of the polio epidemic which affected thousands of children. They organized their Masonic Brethren to commit $120,000—a remarkable amount at the time—to purchase land and build a hospital that would provide medical care to children without charging a fee.

The founders would be proud to know that Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children has grown into one of the world's leading centers for treating pediatric conditions, certain related neurological disorders, and learning disabilities. "The hospital's goal has always been to provide the best medical care available to our patients at no cost," said Ill. Bro. J. C. Montgomery, Jr., 33°, President of TSRHC. "Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children has positively impacted families for 80 years. We have much to celebrate, but our true success lies in the heart and soul of our founders, and in the devotion and skill of our physicians and staff today."