The name, Magnus has been used as a first name among Romans but was not particularly common among them. The best-known Roman bearing the name was the third-century usurper. The name gained wider currency in the Middle Ages, various European peoples, and their royal houses, being introduced to it upon being converted to the Latin-speaking Catholic Christianity. This was especially the case with Scandinavian Royalty and Nobility. As a Scandinavian forename, it was extracted from the Frankish ruler Charlemagne's Latin name "Carolus Magnus" and reanalyzed as Old Norse magn-hús = "house of mighty/power". The Egyptian Council was organized on June 10, 1893 in Chicago, IL. At the time Robert D. Ruffin (Alexandria, VA) was the Imperial Deputy Potentate; Magnus L. Robinson (Alexandria, VA) was the Imperial Recorder and John H. Jones (Alexandria, VA) was the Imperial Asst. Recorder. On June 24, 1900, Magnus Temple was charted by Isaac L.W. Holland, 1st Imperial Potentate of the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine. However, because of disruption at its top level of administration, the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine as it was officially called had to reorganize in 1901.

 

This reorganization took place in Philadelphia, PA; the Order was chartered in Washington, DC, and incorporated on November 13, 1901. During this reorganization, a new name was adopted for the Order, new officers were elected and Temples were identified by name and number. The Order became known as the "Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine of North and South America, and it Jurisdictions, Inc." One of the officers elected at the reorganization was Noble Magnus L. Robinson, as Imperial Recorder. It is believed that Magnus Temple was named after him and assigned the number "3." Chartered in the city of Alexandria, Virginia, Magnus Temple No. 3 held meetings at a succession of locations in its early days. Among them are the Elks Home, I.B.P.O.E, on North Henry Street, and later at 1100 Madison Street; Alexandria, VA.

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The Temple relocated to 1421 Cameron Street in 1981 before moving to its present location in 1987. Magnus Temple No. 3 purchased the Odd Fellows Hall at 9012 Backlick Road, Fort Belvoir, VA, in April 1987 under the leadership of Noble Richard C. Williams. Magnus Temple No. 3 renovated the properties and continues to occupy the facilities to this day. The purchase of this building was made possible by HPIP John E. Strange, a Past Illustrious Potentate (1949) of the Temple. HPIP John E. Strange proposed the idea of establishing a building fund for the acquisition of a Temple Building and advanced $100.00 of his own money with the proposal. Other members of the Temple followed his lead which eventually led to an annual assessment among the Temple members, which ultimately lead to the purchase of the building for $67,000.00. At the time of purchase, Magnus Temple No. 3 had amassed $108,000.00 through membership contributions, interest and dividends from investments.

 

For his visionary suggestion and unstinting contributions to the building fund, the Magnus Temple No. 3 building was named the Strange-Taylor Building in an elaborate public dedication ceremony in 1989. The Strange-Taylor Building is also named in honor of Past Imperial Potentate Roswell A. Taylor, Sr., who was a member of Magnus Temple No.3. PIP Roswell A. Taylor, Sr. held the distinction of service as Most Worshipful Grand Master of the M.W. Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Virginia, Free and Accepted Masons, Inc., and also the 26th Imperial Potentate (1982-1984) of the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine of North and South America and its Jurisdictions, Inc. PIP Roswell A. Taylor, Sr. performed notable service to Prince Hall Freemasonry in general and was a Sovereign Grand Inspector General, 33°, of the United Supreme Council, 33°, A.A.S.R. of Freemasonry, Prince Hall Affiliation, Southern Jurisdiction of the United States of America, Inc. At the time of purchase, Noble Richard C. Williams was the Illustrious Potentate of Magnus Temple No. 3; Past Potentate Michael A. Parris was Imperial Deputy of the Oasis and Dr. Earl H. Gray of Mocha Temple No. 7 was the Imperial Potentate.

 

The building was dedicated as Strange-Taylor Building in 1989 under the leadership of Noble Robert Steele serving as Illustrious Potentate. Magnus Temple No. 3 was granted its first charter on June 24, 1900 and was officially reissued their charter on November 5, 1946. Imperial Potentate Raymond E. Jackson; Deputy Imperial Potentate Zack Alexandria; Imperial Chief Rabban Joseph W. Givens; Imperial Asst. Rabban Joseph L. Oliver; and Imperial Recorder Charles C. Quander signed the charter investing Illustrious Potentate James Howard; Chief Rabban Samuel A. Tucker, Jr. and Asst. Rabban George Lewis full power and authority to do and perform all and any such acts and things appertaining to a Temple of the Mystic Shrine.