About Us
This page contains a brief history for both the Knights of Columbus and Council 565.
Knights of Columbus - History
On Oct. 2, 1881, a small group of men met in the basement of St.
Mary’s Church on Hillhouse Avenue in New Haven, Connecticut. Called
together by their 29-year-old parish priest, Father Michael J.
McGivney, these men formed a fraternal society that would one day
become the world’s largest Catholic family fraternal service
organization.
They sought strength in solidarity, and security through unity of
purpose and devotion to a holy cause: they vowed to be defenders of
their country, their families and their faith.
These men were bound together by the ideal of Christopher Columbus,
the discoverer of the Americas, the one whose hand brought
Christianity to the New World. Their efforts came to fruition with
the incorporation of the Knights of Columbus on March 29, 1882.
Council 565 - History
Evansville Council 565, the first Knights of Columbus council in
Evansville, Indiana, met for the first time on April 15, 1901 in the old
Knights of St. John Hall. Within three weeks, the new council
successfully rented a room in the old Journal Building for $75 per
year. This location served as the Council’s home and hall for the
next year. Also within the first three weeks, the Council approved a
set of by-laws and elected a slate of officers, including James V.
Rush, as the first Grand Knight and the Rev. F.H. Ryves as the first
Chaplain. The K of C District Deputy, William J. Mooney, formally
installed these officers in June of 1901.
In those early years, the Evansville Council provided an important
venue for discussion of issues of importance to Catholic adults.
Each Council meeting routinely included presentation and discussion
of research papers on religious and social topics. The Council,
through the K of C life insurance program, provided needed financial
security to Catholic families, long before the present social
safeguards were in place.
From these humble beginnings, this Council has represented a
significant part of the Evansville society and its Catholic
community. We hope to continue this fine tradition as we look
forward to another century of successful service.
Father Michael J. McGivney
Founder of the Knights of Columbus
Through the Knights of Columbus, Father
McGivney gave Catholic laymen a new opportunity – the chance to grow
in holiness while contributing to their parishes, communities and
security of their families. Today, more and more Church leaders are
recognizing his spiritual genius in animating the Through the
Knights of Columbus, Father McGivney gave Catholic laymen a new
opportunity – the chance to grow in holiness while contributing to
their parishes, communities and security of their families. Today,
more and more Church leaders are recognizing his spiritual genius in
animating the laity.
Click here to go to the Father McGivney Homepage.