OUR HISTORY

From our founding by Father Micheal J McGivney in 1882, the Knights of Columbus has continued to be an organization focused on volunteer work throughout the church and community, striving to bring God’s word through charitable deeds and actions to those in need.  As the right arm of the Church, charity is what defines the Knights.

The Knights of Columbus is the world’s largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in the United States in 1882, it is named in honor of Christopher Columbus.

There are more than 1.7 million members in 14,000 councils, with nearly 200 councils on college campuses. Membership is limited to “practical Catholic” men aged 18 or older.

Councils have been chartered in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, the Philippines, Guam, Saipan, Japan, Cuba, and most recently in Poland. The Knights’ official junior organization, the Columbian Squires, has over 5,000 Circles. All the Order’s ceremonials and business meetings are restricted to members though all other events are open to the public. A promise not to reveal any details of the ceremonials except to an equally qualified Knight is required to ensure their impact and meaning for new members; an additional clause subordinates the promise to that Knight’s civil and religious duties.

The primary motivation for the Order was to be a mutual benefit society. As a parish priest in an immigrant community, McGivney saw what could happen to a family when the breadwinner died and wanted to provide insurance to care for the widows and orphans left behind. He himself had to temporarily leave his seminary studies to care for his family when his father died. In the late 19th century, Catholics were regularly excluded from labor unions and other organizations that provided social services.

In addition, Catholics were either barred from many of the popular fraternal organizations, or, as in the case of Freemasonry, forbidden from joining by the Catholic Church itself. McGivney wished to provide them an alternative. He also believed that Catholicism and fraternalism were not incompatible and wished to found a society that would encourage men to be proud of their American-Catholic heritage.

Charities Supported by Council 1750

• Youth Scholarships
• Immaculate Conception Parish and School
• St Vincent de Paul Food Pantry
• Holiday Bureau
• Bistro 163
• CASA
• Joyful Connections
• Seminarian Vocations
• Ottawa County Board of Developmental Disabilities
• Immaculate Conception St Joseph Respect for Life
• Ruth Ann’s House
• Annunciation Radio
• Habitat for Humanity
• American Red Cross

2020 – 2021 COUNCIL OFFICERS

• Spiritual Advisor – Deacon Maury Hall
• Grand Knight – Paul Messerly
• Deputy Grand Knight – Ed Verkin, Jr.
• Chancellor – Jeremy Cross
• Recorder – Bryan Pollauf
• Treasurer – Aaron Gonya
• Advocate – Matt Cornett
• Warden – Tom Riems
• Inside Guard – Mike Mathews
• Outside Guard – Fred Szabo
• 3rd Year Trustee – Ed Maher, Jr.
• 2nd Year Trustee – Jack Resetar
• 1st Year Trustee – Joe Majce
• Financial Secretary – Cat Alvarez

Council 1750 Members