Knights of Columbus, History of the Order

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History of the Order

1874 | 1890 | 1900 | 1910 | 1920 | 1930 | 1940 | 1950 | 1960 | 1970 | 1980 | 1990 | 2000

1890: Fr. Michael J. McGivney dies on August 14th after a battle with pneumonia which he contracted in January of the same year.
1891: Reverend Hugh Treanor is elected as the 3rd Supreme Chaplain and would serve in that position until 1899.; New Ceremonies are developed for the Order.
1892: The first council in Massachusetts is formed -- April 10th -- Boston Council.; Resolutions are passed at the Supreme Convention allowing for Non-Insurance (Associate) membership. Three insurance options are made available $1,000, $2,000, and $3,000 dollars. A Reserve Fund is created in case of an epidemic.; 6,100 Knights, 36 Bands, 11 Drum Corps march in a parade in New Haven, Connecticut to celebrate the Quadricentennial of the Discovery of America by Columbus and the 10th Anniversary of the Knights of Columbus.
1893: The first council in New Hampshire is formed -- Manchester Council #92.; The first council in Illinois is formed -- July 7th -- Chicago Council #182.
1894: Supreme moves to their 2nd Headquarters in the Hoadley building on Church St. in New Haven, Connecticut.
1896: The first council in New Jersey is formed -- April 12th -- Hoboken Council #159.; Supreme moves to their 3rd Headquarters in the Poli building on Church St. in New Haven, Connecticut.; The first council in Pennsylvania is formed -- November 26th -- Philadelphia Council #196.; The first council in Delaware is formed -- December 13th -- Santa Maria Council #195 in Wilmington.
1897: James E. Hayes is elected the 3rd Supreme Knight. He died on February 8, 1898.; John J. Cone, DSK directed the Exemplification of the Degrees for the members of the first council in Maryland -- February 21st -- Baltimore Council #205.; The first council in Ohio is formed -- October 24th -- Youngstown Council #274.; The first council in Canada in the Province of Quebec is formed -- November 25th -- Montreal Council #284.
1898: John J. Cone becomes the 4th Supreme Knight.; The first council in Minnesota is formed -- February 22 -- St. Paul Council #397.; The first council in Vermont is formed -- Bennington Council #307.; The first council in Virginia is formed -- Norfolk Council #367.
1899: Rev. Garret J. Barry becomes the 4th Supreme Chaplain. He would serve in that capacity until 1901. He would be the last Priest who was not a Monsignor to serve in that position.; Edward L. Hearn is elected the 5th Supreme Knight and would serve in that capacity until 1909.; The Supreme makes its first financial contribution to an outside agency. Reverend Philip Garrigan, Vice Rector of the Catholic University of America, asked the Order to sponsor a K of C Chair of American History. The Order commits to $50,000. The goal was reach on April 13, 1904.; The first council in Iowa is formed -- April 29th -- Dubuque Council #510.; The first council in Indiana is formed -- June 25th -- Indianapolis Council #437.; The first council in Missouri is formed -- August 8th -- St. Louis Council #453.