History of Father Curtin Council #2541
The Vision of Fr. McGivney
March 29, 1882 was a significant
date in the annals of North American fraternal societies. It was the day on which the General Assembly
of the State of Connecticut granted the charter to the Knights of Columbus, “for
the purpose of rendering mutual aid and assistance to it’s members and their
families.”
It was also a glorious day in the
life of a young Catholic priest, the Reverend Michael J. McGivney, curate of
Saint Mary’s Parish in New Haven, for it marked the fulfillment of his dream:
to unite Catholic men in a society through which they might advance the ideals
of their faith.
For four years Father McGivney had
worked closely with the men of his parish.
Out of this ministry came the vision and the ambition to organize them
into a great and helpful fraternal society.
Others had attempted to do this, but they had failed.
Father McGivney called together, in
the parish rectory on January 9, 1882 a small group of young men in whom he had
confidence. They listened to him as he
described the need for Catholic men to organize, and the many possibilities
such organization offered. They all
agreed with him, that the time had come to launch a fraternal organization
founded upon the ideals and having objectives suggested by the young priest.
In general, the objectives were a
system of fraternal insurance to care for the widows and orphans of members, to
provide fellowship among the members, to aid the cause of religion, and to
perform charitable, educational and patriotic works for the benefit of their
fellow men and their nation.
On February 6, 1882 the name
Knights of Columbus was chosen and the decision made to apply to the state for
a charter.
The early officers and founders of
the Order felt, in the preliminary meetings, that the name of the new
organization should relate to the Catholic Discoverer of America – to emphasize
the fact that Catholics discovered, explored and colonized the North American
continent and that it should embody Knightly ideals of service to Church,
Country and fellow man. Consequently,
after an original proposal of “Son of Columbus”, the title, Knights of
Columbus, was adopted.
The following excerpts from the
charter set forth briefly the purposes of the Order:
“RESOLVED, By this Assembly that Reverend Michael J.
McGivney, Matthew C. O’Connor, Cornelius T. Driscoll, James T. Mullen, John T.
Kerrigan, Daniel Colwell and William M. Geary and all other persons in the
society with them under the name of the Knights of Columbus, together with all
such persons as may hereafter become associated with them, and their
successors, are constituted a body corporate and politic by the name of the
Knights of Columbus for the following purposes;
“(a)
of rendering pecuniary aid to its members and beneficiaries of members;
“(b)
of rendering mutual aid and assistance to its sick and disabled members:
“(c)
of promoting such social and cultural intercourse among its members as shall be
desirable and proper;
“(d)
of promoting and conduction educational, charitable, religious, social welfare,
war relief and public relief work.”
That these purposes have been
fulfilled and the ambition of Father McGivney realized is abundantly proved by
the society’s record of accomplishments.
Father McGivney and his associates
laid the foundations well. They fixed
high standards for membership and established sound principles for the guidance
of the members. They formulated rules
and incorporated into them standards of conduct they regarded as vital to the
achievement of the Order’s ideals.
It took 15 years to have the Order
thoroughly established in New England and along the upper Atlantic
seaboard. Then it began to spread
outward and, within eight years, it was firmly established from Quebec to
California and from Florida to Washington.
Within another two years the Order
had been organized in every jurisdiction in North America and its principles of
Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism had been adopted as the personal
principles of hundreds of thousands of Catholic men.
Today the Knights of Columbus is an
organized, functioning society in every state of the United States, the ten
provinces of Canada, the Canal Zone, Puerto Rico, Mexico and the Philippines.
The Supreme Council is composed of
the Past Supreme Knights, the Supreme Officers and Supreme Directors, the State
Deputy and the last living and such delegates as may be chosen by the various
State Councils.
The Supreme Council elects the
Supreme Directors who appoint the Supreme Officers. All executive authority of the Order is vested in this body.
The State Councils consist of the
State Officers, the last Past State Deputy, the Grand Knight and Grand Knight
and a Past Grand Knight from each subordinate Council.
Charters for subordinate Council
are granted upon application of a specified number of members or applicants for
membership. The presiding officer of a
subordinate Council is the Grand Knight.
(April 1, 1856 – March 11, 1936)
Until 1866 the Catholics of West Haven worshipped in New Haven at St. John’s Roman Catholic Church and at the Sacred Heart Church. A mission parish was established in West Haven in April 1886 under the jurisdiction of the Reverend James Larkin, pastor of Milford. Mass was first celebrated in West Haven at the Borough Headquarters in the Thompson Block.
The cornerstone of the first edifice of St. Lawrence Church, a wooden structure was laid by the late Right Reverend Bishop Lawrence McMahon, in 1886.
Father Larkin continued to serve in West Haven until October 14, 1892 when the West Haven mission reverted to the parish of Sacred Heart, New Haven. Three years later on May 1, 1895 the Reverend Jeremiah Curtin was named the first resident pastor of St. Lawrence Roman Catholic Church. He served as pastor for 41 years.
Father Curtin beloved by members of every denomination came to West Haven when it was but a comparatively small community. During the Early years the parish numbered about 200, today there are more than 4000 parishioners, although the parish has since been divided three times. During the first years of his pastorate, when roads were poor, and travel difficult, his parish included all of West Haven, Orange, Westville and Bethany. His ready wit and congenial character made him many friends. He was public spirited and ever-willing to lend a hand in the service of the community. For 35 years, he gave the benediction at the Memorial Day services in Oak Grove Cemetery.
The corner stone of the brick St. Lawrence Church at Main Street and Union Avenue was laid in 1903. On June 29, 1933 Father Curtin celebrated his Golden Jubilee of Ordination. Among those attending the Mass of Thanksgiving were the Most Reverend Maurice F. McAuliffe, Bishop of the Hartford Diocese, and the Right Reverend Monsignor Thomas, pastor of St. Patrick’s Church, Washington, D.C. In July 1933, Father Curtin was feted at a reception at the West Haven High School Auditorium and at a dinner at Savin Rock, attended by persons of all religious denomination. The veteran pastor said of the many celebrations, “I have received more honors than the Pope of Rome.”
Fifty-three years of priestly labors, forty-one of which were spent as pastor of St. Lawrence Church, ended March 11, 1936 when the entire community was saddened by news of his death. First Selectman Charles F. Schall paid him the following tribute: “The Rev. Jeremiah Curtin was one of West Haven’s most beloved and outstanding citizens. His graciousness and unfailing wit made him a legion of friends. He was a personal friend of mine and enjoyed the respect of all.”
Business activities were suspended and town hall offices were closed during the pontifical High Mass of Requiem that was celebrated by Bishop Maurice F. McAuliffe. More than 300 priests of the diocese, state and town officials, civic and political leaders, and members of the parish attended the mass.
The Knights of Columbus in the town of West Haven came into existence as a result of the inspiring leadership of Reverend Father Jeremiah Curtin Pastor of St. Lawrence Roman Catholic Church. At first named Colombia Council #2541, it was later changed to Father Curtin Council, #2541.
During the year of Father Curtin’s 40th anniversary as a Catholic priest, a committee was formed to plan an appropriate celebration to commemorate the event. It was within this committee that the idea was conceived to organize a council of the Knights of Columbus in the town of West Haven. Encouraged by Father Curtin, a hard working group of his parishioners, under the leadership of the late Daniel L. O’Neill, succeeded in obtaining a charter from the Order on July 11th, 1924. Mr. Herman Bill was elected first Grand Knight of the order. The Council started off with a membership of 49 men. Headquarters were maintained in the old Thompson Block for several years, until it moved to 324 Main St. They later had clubrooms at 395 Campbell Ave., 377 Washington Ave., and Savin Ave. Today, 600 West Haven Knights are part of the more than 1.6 million members of the Knights of Columbus.
A few years ago, a milestone was reached with the purchase of a home at 263 Center St., West Haven. Later, the building was remodeled, but the rapid growth of the Council necessitated the razing of the structure to make room for our new and modern home. In 2005 the building was sold and the hall is scheduled to be converted to offices. The new owners agreed to allow the club to continue to use the downstairs facilities until 2020.
The Columbian Ladies Auxiliary to the Knights of Columbus of West Haven, Connecticut was organized in March 1951 to assist the K of C Club in all of its activities. It started with 23 members. The charter was left open until the fourth Wednesday in June 1951. There were 74 Charter members.
The membership of the Auxiliary consists of mothers, wives, sisters and daughters of the K. of C. members. Also the wives, mothers, sisters and daughters of deceased K. of C. members. Members of the Auxiliary must be over 18 years of age.
Originally the order had only three degrees exemplifying the principles of CHARITY, UNITY and FRATERNITY.
Complying with the wishes of the membership, the Board of Directors approved the Fourth Degree and the first exemplification was held in New York City on February 22, 1900.
The Fourth Degree is a group of outstanding Knights of Columbus dedicated to promoting patriotism enlightened by the Catholic faith. It works for the application of Christian principles in all levels of democratic government. It calls upon its members to distinguish themselves with heroic deed for God, for country and for our Order.
It Supports such religious, civic and charitable causes as are consistent with its high ideals.
It opposes the institution and development of forces inimical to good Christian government.
It educates its members and the world at large to be defenders of our democratic institutions.
It is the highest degree in the Knights of Columbus, giving a greater knowledge and appreciation of our Catholic heritage.
Public appearance of Fourth Degree Knights as honor guards at civic and religious functions is an important activity of each assembly. Their colorful capes and plumed headgear add dignity and a pride of church and country to any event. By these public demonstrations, their loyalties bring credit to themselves and to the Knights of Columbus
Thanks to Rev. Mr. John E. Wheeler