Over 115 years ago a young parish priest, Father Michael J.

McGivney, had a vision to protect his parishioners from the strife and religious bigotry of the late 18th century. His vision became a reality when a group of Catholic men joined with him in forming “The Knights of Columbus” on March 29th, 1882.

Fifteen years later, on October 24th, 1897, another Catholic man, Dr. E. J. Gallagher in Kingston, New York, joined in the dream and helped form the 275th council of the Knights of Columbus.

For the past 126 years, Catholic men of Kingston have continued and fostered that dream. We Dedicate our commitment to continue the principles of our order:

To Father McGivney and his small group of Catholic men

To Dr. E. J. Gallagher and the original group of Catholic men

To all the Catholic men of Kingston Council #275 who have come before us.

In 1996, Cardinal John J. O’Connor said of the Knights of Columbus, “If there is a lay organization more loyal to the Church, the Holy Father, or the priesthood, I haven’t had the pleasure of encountering it. If there is a lay organization more passionately devoted to the cause of human life, I have never heard of it. If there is a lay organization more generous to charitable undertakings in general, it has not come to my attention.” This statement of our cardinal is an example of the growth of the vision of our founder, Father McGivney. It is an example of the dedication we, Knights of Kingston Council, have had to our Church and our deep respect of “Human Life”.

To this expanded vision, we Dedicate our support, and pray that Our Lord will continue to guide and protect us through the centuries that lie ahead.

Resume of 126 Years of Activity by Kingston Council No. 275, Knights of Columbus

1897

2023One hundred twenty six years ago, a group of Catholic men met in Kingston on October 24th, 1897, and formed a Council of the Knights of Columbus, now known as Kingston Council No. 275. This meeting was the culmination of months of preliminary work, principally by Dr. E. .J. Gallagher, a well-known physician of Kingston. Assisted by a number of other interested Catholic laymen and a f cw of the clergy, Dr. Gallagher had made contact with a large number of men and was granted a charter by the Knights of Columbus.

The old records of the council were destroyed and it is impossible to secure the names of the first officers, hut from information from older members it is known that Thomas .J. Cusack was the first Grand Knight.

The energies of the Knights of the new council were devoted to increasing the membership and in doing missionary work along the Hudson River. They assisted in the formation of councils in Poughkeepsie, Newburgh, Cornwall, Haverstraw, Highland Falls, and other places in the section of the state. Their degree team became so proficient in ritual work that it was called upon on many occasions to assist in the conferring of degrees in neighboring councils (a tradition that continues to this day).

The first meeting place was in Diamond’s Hall, corner of Broadway and Thomas Street. From there the council moved to the Odd Fellows’ Hall on the Strand where they remained for some time and then moved to Cooney’s Hall on Railroad A venue. The desire to have a building of their own prompted the Knights to form a building committee and raise funds, so that the Council was able to erect a Council Home in 1914, the present location on the corner of Broadway and Andrew Street.

Over the years, the Council has enjoyed a reputation as a civic and community leader in the Kingston area. In the 1920’s the Knight” sponsored the public observances of the Fourth of .July (until city official” took responsibility for the program), donated an American flag to the newly-constructed Kingston High School, furnished clothing and supplies to the West Park Orphanage after a disastrous fire, and organized a tournament of games among local fraternal organizations during the

Depression.

During World War I, 180 members of the Knights served in active duty. Those

who remained on the home front were active in every fundraising campaign, giving the use of the building for meetings and headquarters, collecting a total of $40,000 for the Knight” of Columbus War Work Fund, and taking full charge of the solicitation of funds for starving children of Europe at the close of the war.

Over 100 council members served during World War II in the armed forces while members at home served in many capacities in Civil Defense and solicitation of War Bonds. The council reported bond sales of $167,000.

While Knights have been active in both fraternal and social activities over the years, they have never forgotten their primary spiritual responsibilities. A Study Club was established in 1935, which held discussions on subject” relating to Catholic teaching and doctrine. Pilgrimages to Auriesville, retreats at Mount Saint Alphonsus, annual Communion breakfasts, sponsorship of the annual March For Life bus trip to Washington, D.C., continues our unfailing support of our Church.

The Council has also been active in the dlspenslng of charity in the city and county, as well as providing scholarships, awards, and help to both young and old, for example: John A. Coleman High School scholarship, awards to Kingston Catholic, St. Joseph’s, and St. Peter’s Schools, Llster County CYO, Redemptoristine Nuns, Kingston Babe Ruth League, Benedictine Health Foundation, Peoples Place, Catholic Charities (Ulster County), etc.. The Council Home has been opened for public and private enterprises, such as public health clinics, blood drives, Penny Socials for Peoples Place, annual Kingston High School student testing, civic meetings of various kinds, and boy’s work with Catholic high school students. The societies which have used the Council Home include: the Catholic Daughters of America, the Columhiettes of Kingston Council 275, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and the Newman Club.
On October 11th, 1997, our Council dedicated a memorial to the unborn in St. Mary’s Cemetery. The memorial includes a statue of Our Lady with Child and continues our commitment to the respect for life from conception to natural death.