WSC History - Knights of Columbus Washington State Council

Corresponding SecretaryFinancial SecretaryTreasurerAdvocateMedical ExaminerLecturerWardenChaplainRev Michael J. McGivneyJames T. McMahonMichael CurranC. T. DriscollDr. M. C. O'ConnorDaniel ColwellJohn F. MooreRev. P. P. LawlorFrom the very beginning, the offices and the duties of the offices were so well defined that fewchanges had to be made. Examination of an 1888 copy of the printed Constitution and Laws of the Orderare remarkably close to those of today - the 1888 edition is thinner, the 1989 edition has basically filled inon the skeleton.Within a few months after the first meeting the Supreme Council was established with its basicframework as we know it today. The elective officers formed a Supreme Committee, now known as theSupreme Board of Directors, in which the executive authority of the Order was vested. It was given thesole authority to grant charters and authorize new councils. The first individual council was, naturallyenough, San Salvador Council No. 1 in New Haven. This original council has preserved this honoredname throughout the years.An essential; part of all fraternal organizations of that day was a formal ritual as part of aninitiation. Indeed, it is usually a legal requirement for such societies. Father McGivney and his officerstherefore undertook to formalize the Order's ritual. This was completed on July 7, 1883 and presented toBishop McMahon for his approval.After close examination, Bishop McMahon said: "I have followed the wording and explanationof this ritual closely. I cannot detect anything amiss orimproper. You need no further ruling than this. I am of theopinion that it will be a valuable medium for carrying soundmoral principles to your members; that it will be the means ofattracting many to your organization. I do not see why youshould not go on without let or hindrance from anyone."With the blessing of the Church, through theOrdinary of the diocese, the Knights of Columbus began tospread from one parish to another throughout the State ofConnecticut. In fact, Bishop McMahon became a chartermember of Green Cross Council when it was formed inHartford the next year. Within a short time, therewere 48 councils within the state. The interstate growth ofthe Order was certainly intended as witnessed by theorganizational structure set up from the beginning. That thisinterstate growth began at the precise time that it did wasaccidental. It had been arranged to institute a new council inStonington, Connecticut. This city is on the Rhode Islandborder of Connecticut opposite the city of Westerly, RhodeIsland. The arrangements had to be changed when the hallwhere the initiation was to be held burned to the ground. Theceremonies were then transferred to a hall in Westerly, RhodeIsland. It was then that the Catholic men of Westerly asked for a council of their own and this wasauthorized. In short order there were seventeen councils in Rhode Island. This must have beengratifying to Father McGivney. It is good that he saw this early progress for his days were numbered.He suffered the progressive effects of tuberculosis which was, then, almost incurable. He became weakerand weaker and died on August 14, 1890 - only two days after his thirty-eighth birthday. Since then, the