History

Founding of Council 9625

In 1987, members of Saints Joachim and Ann Parish decided to organize and form a Knights of Columbus Council as an opportunity for men to be in service to others and help those in our community most in need. In order not to be exclusive and welcome members outside of the Parish, the Council chose the name Harvester from one of the local neighoring townships.  On August 11th, Council 9625 was officially chartered in the city of Saint Charles, Missouri. Helping the community has grown to become a permanent part of the lives of our members.

 

Watch the following video to learn about the life of

Fr. Michael McGivney and the founding of

The Knights of Columbus.

Brief History of The Knights of Columbus

 

  • 1882: The Knights of Columbus is born on Feb. 6, 1882, when the first members choose Columbus as their patron. Immediately after the Order’s March 29 incorporation, Father McGivney sends the first diocesan-wide appeal for new members to his fellow priests.
  • 1886: By the end of his four-year tenure as supreme knight, James T. Mullen personally presides at the institution of 22 of the first 38 councils. John J. Phelan is elected to succeed him and is the first supreme knight to sense the Order’s destiny as a national society.
  • 1890: Father McGivney dies Aug. 14, 1890. His funeral Mass is celebrated in Thomaston, Conn., four days later.
  • 1892: The Order passes laws allowing noninsurance or associate members to join.
  • 1892: 6,000 Knights march in the New Haven Columbus Day parade to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ discovery of the New World.
  • 1895: The Vatican’s first acknowledgment of the Knights comes when Archbishop Francesco Satolli, apostolic delegate to the United States, writes a letter extolling the “merits of this splendid Catholic organization” and giving the Order his apostolic blessing.

 

 

Brief History of the Harvester Knights of Columbus

 

  • 1987: The Harvester Knights of Columbus, Council 9625, was chartered in the city of Saint Charles, Missouri on Aug. 11, 1987.
  • 1990: Members of the Harvester Knights of Columbus begin the No Hunger Holiday program. Funded completely by the Knights of Columbus and contributions from concerned citizens and businesses, this program ensures that needy families in Saint Charles County, Missouri have complete Thanksgiving dinner that they can make in their own homes.
  • 2011: No Hunger Holiday extends its program to Warren County, Missouri.
  • 2012: No Hunger Holiday extends its program to Lincoln County, Missouri.
  • 2013: Harvester Knights of Columbus wins the State of Missouri's Community Service Project Award for its No Hunger Holiday program.  The award was presented at the State Convention on Sunday, April 28th.
  • 2013: Knights of Columbus Council 9625 is a winner of the Columbian and Founder's awards for the 2012-2013 fraternal year.  The Columbian Award is presented for excellence in sponsoring programs that serve the Church, community, families, pro-life and youth - as well as council members.  The Founders' Award is given for outstanding promotion of the organization's fraternal insurance program.

 

For a complete history of The Knights of Columbus, visit www.kofc.org.