Knights Of Columbus Santa Maria Council #105

 

The Founding of theKnights of Columbus

Santa Maria Council #105, Malden

 

In the early 1880’s fraternal societies were flourishing throughout the United States. The need was felt for an organization of Catholic laymen, a society offering to members’ social and fraternal advantages during life and the provision for the member’s family after his death. Rev. Michael J. McGivney, an assistant in St. Mary’s parish in New Haven, Connecticut, initiated the preliminary arrangements which resulted in the incorporation of the Knights of Columbus by the General Assembly of Connecticut. The task of organizing the first council of the new society was undertaken, and the first election of the Knights of Columbus was held in Smith’s Hall, New Haven, Connecticut, on April 6, 1882.

 

Twelve years after the founding of the Knights of Columbus, a group of representative Catholic gentlemen gathered and informally discussed the feasibility of establishing a council of the Knights of Columbus in Malden. The meeting was held on October 14, 1894, with P. H. Desmond, chairman, and P. J McShane, secretary pro tem. These new Knights entered enthusiastically into the work of the organization and immediately proceeded to the election of officers. It was voted to defer the election of Grand Knight and Deputy Grand Knight until a later date. Balloting resulted in the selection of the following: P. J. McShane, Recording Secretary; Daniel J. Pyne, Financial Secretary; Timothy D. Cronin, Treasurer; P. J. Riley, Chancellor; P. J. McMahon, Lecturer; Daniel J. Kelley, Warden; William Mulready, Inside Guard; Michael C. Desmond, Outside Guard; Dr. John C. McCarthy, Physician.

 

The selection of the above officers was not a matter of mere routine for in almost every instance there was a spirited contest. The high degree of enthusiasm which marked the preliminary meeting was carried into the second meeting held in Hibernian Hall, Malden, on October 17, 1894. Perhaps the organizers of the new council in Malden considered it the better part of wisdom to give due thought to the type of man upon whose shoulders would be placed the honor and responsibility of being the first Grand Knight. At any rate, it was at this meeting that Dr. Charles D. McCarthy was unanimously elected to head these pioneering Knights who were even then drawing the flower of Catholic manhood into their freshened ranks. Elevated to the distinction of being the first Deputy Grand Knight was Richard W. Shea. Several subordinate offices were then filled by ballot, namely, Advocate, Peter McGuire; Trustees, P. H. Desmond, P.J. Riley, Dr. James Sullivan, John W. Norton and P. J. McMahon.

 

The Council was formally instituted on October 21, 1894 at Red Men’s Hall, Malden. On this occasion a committee was appointed to bring in suggestions for the name of the latest unit of Knighthood, and several weeks later on November 12, 1894, the committee advanced two names: “Malden” and “Santa Maria”. The latter name was unanimously adopted and ever since that day the name of the Santa Maria Council has been revered by Knights and respected by our fellow citizens. Following the exercises of institution the members retired to Stanwood Hall for refreshments. The simplicity with which the one hundred and fifth Council of the Knights of Columbus was officially added to the growing phalanx of Columbianism, and the fact that public mention of the event was confined to some five lines on the inside page of the local newspaper, at least suggest the thought that the early Knights leavened their formalities with dignity and reserve.

 

The official installation of the first officers of Santa Maria was held in Deliberative Hall, Malden, on November 30, 1894, with D.D.S.K. W. H. Kenney of Woburn as installing officer. Less than three weeks later, on December 18, 1894, the second election was held and on this occasion, D.G.K. Richard W. Shea was advanced to the Grand Knight’s chair.

 

The charter members whose names will ever stand inscribed as the pioneers of Columbianism in Malden were:

 

William J. Barrett           Justin O. Bigelow                  George D. Cronin

Tim D. Cronin                    M. E. Desmond                        Patrick H Desmond

Martin H. Dillon               Owen J. Doonan                      John J. Doyle

James Fitzgerald            John W. Haley                         Richard Haley

Thomas J. Hartnett        Daniel Kelly                             Dennis J. Kelly

Maurice J. Kirby              Charles D. McCarthy          John C. McCarthy

John J. McCarthy             James F. McGerity                P. J. McMahon

George E. McManus      William Mulready                P. J. McShane

Michael McNamee        William D. Murphy               John W. Norton

Daniel J. Pyne                    Daniel J. Prendergast        James A. Quinn

Michael Quinn                  Henry Regan                           John H. Reidy

Patrick J. Riley                  Dr. James Sullivan               Jeremiah E. Sullivan

Richard Shay                    John D. Welch

 

Since being chartered in 1894, the Knights of Columbus, Santa Maria Council #105 has been an integral part of Columbianism whose principles and ideals have been the guiding rules in the Council’s journey from one century to another. The example of Knighthood is ever drawing men into Santa Maria’s membership, creating the Knights of tomorrow who will carry on the work of our founding members and continue to pave the way for the generations yet unborn.

 

(Excerpt from the Souvenir History of the Knights of Columbus, Santa Maria Council #105 published in 1934)