WSC History - Knights of Columbus Washington State Council

Father McGivney's committee then decided to form an entirely new organization since none ofthe existing ones seemed suitable for their needs. A new Committee to form this organization wasappointed. It consisted of Father McGivney, James T. McMullen, John T. Kerrigan and J. T. McMahon.They met a number of times to decide upon the preliminaries. They decided upon the name of theConnecticut Order of Foresters, even after the program of the Foresters and a branch of theMassachusetts Catholic Order of Foresters had been rejected. Soon this name was found to be unsuitableand confusing. Another name was needed.Father McGivney suggested that they be called the "Sons of Columbus." James T. McMullensuggested that the word "Knights" be substituted for "Sons". There was unanimous agreement and fromthat time to the present the organization became known as the "Knights of Columbus."One of the primary aims of the new organization was to formulate a plan of insurance whichmight meet the needs and the economic status of the parishioners. A special committee was formed forthis purpose and the "per capita" method of insurance was adopted. This meant that, at the death of amember, a per capita tax was levied on all survivingmembers. This sum was then given to the heirs orbeneficiaries. From the very beginning, a strict medicalexamination was required of every applicant formembership in the Order to protect the rights and privilegesof the entire membership.After many conferences, it was decided toincorporate the new organization. Mr. Daniel Colwell -later to be National Secretary - was selected to prepare thepetition for charter to the General Assembly ofConnecticut. The Honorable C. T. Driscoll, one of thepetitioners and representing New Haven in the GeneralAssembly, joined by the Honorable H. P. Hotchkiss in theHouse of Representatives and the Honorable A. E.Robertson - representing New Haven in the State Senate -presented the petition. This legal action was acted uponpromptly and on March 29, 1882 the Knights of Columbuswere legally and formally chartered in the State ofConnecticut. The original incorporators were: Michael J.McGivney, Matthew C. O'Connor, William M. Geary,Cornelius T. Driscoll, James T. Mullen, John T. Kerrigan,Daniel Colwell and William M Geary.It is clear that Father McGivney and his smalloriginal band of men had great vision and were trulyleaders. This organization was originally intended to beonly a parish organization but was now legally a State-wideorganization. Father McGivney had been giving publicityto this organization even before it had any members. Hehad published a circular in which he set forth its aims andpurposes and, prophetically, said that the organization of the Knights of Columbus was one of theoutstanding events in the history of the Catholic Church in America.The Order passed from the planning stage when, on April 3, 1882, eleven membershipapplications were reviewed and accepted. They did have a provisional ceremonial written in threesections or degrees. These formed the basis of the first three degrees of the Order as we know themtoday. The first formal meeting of the Knights of Columbus was held on April 6, 1882 in Smith's Hall onChapel Street in New Haven. The first election of officers was held and the first officers elected were:PresidentJames T. MullenVice-PresidentJohn T. Kerrigan