Knight of Columbus Celebrate 100 Years in Versailles, Ohio
By Mitchell Eversole
Versailles High School
Class of 2015

Since its foundation in 1882, the Knights of Columbus has proudly stood on its principles of unity, fraternity, charity, and patriotism. It has grown from one small council in New Haven, Connecticut, to having over 1.7 million members. The Versailles Knights of Columbus St. Denis Council 1756, established 100 years ago, is one of over fourteen thousand Councils active today worldwide. The Versailles council currently has about 380 members. Though the Knights of Columbus organization was founded here in the United States by Father Michael J. McGivney, the organization has expanded to a multitude of countries including: Canada, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Poland, Cuba, Guam, the Virgin Islands, the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas, Saipan, and Guatemala. As a result of his life's work, the Catholic church is currently considering making Fr. McGivney a saint.

The K of C organization was originally formed to provide aid and assistance to those in need. At the time of its founding, there was much hostility aimed at members of the Catholic faith. Fr. McGivney desired to provide Catholic families who had lost the husband with support and financial assistance, which led to the current K of C insurance program offered to members today. The Knights offer assistance to and support legislation for the sick, unborn, elderly, disabled, and their families. The organization promotes intellectual fellowship through their various events and programs including charitable, religious, educational, war relief, social welfare, and public relief focuses. Here in Versailles, the Knights have long been active in the community and in their support of priests, seminarians, and the church. Some even consider the Knights to be the strong right arm of the church, both locally and globally.

The K of C's support of the church is further shown by the members of the local council who also participate in the St Gaspar Del Bufalo Fourth Degree Assembly in Minster, which has members from several K of C councils in the western Ohio area. Our local Versailles council consists of members of the first, second, and third degrees. To become a member, you must be a practicing Catholic in favor with the Holy See and also be at least 18 years old. The Knights are always happy to accept new members; Please feel free to check them out at www.kofc.org or contact the current Versailles Grand Knight, Travis Wilker, at 419-336-5405 for more information.

The local Knights have called several places in town home over their first one hundred years. The first, as some may recall, was above the House of Flowers and Floor Store & More on Main street. The second, located on Pearl St., was lost to a fire in the mid-to-late 1960s. The third and current hall, which can be found on St. Rt. 47 west of Versailles, provides facilities for the monthly meetings and can be rented for parties, wedding receptions, and softball tournaments. For roughly 25 years from the late 60's to the mid-90s, the K of C held an annual picnic on the grounds which provided good food and competitive softball games for all to enjoy.

Nowadays, typical events and fundraisers for the Versailles Council include operating the Bingo Tent at Poultry Days, Youth Free Throw Shooting Contests, the annual softball tournament, and of course, the delicious Pork Loin Dinner Drive-Through and Pancake Breakfasts fund raisers. Council 1756 is interested in the well-being of the community and strives to make it a better place in which to live.

The Versailles council is proud of their heritage established over the past one hundred years, and they invite all of you to the Family Day Celebration scheduled at the K of C Hall on Sunday, July 12, to commemorate the occasion along with the 175 year anniversary of St. Denis parish.