About Us
The Knights of Columbus was organized in 1882. Father Michael J. McGivney, was a priest who was the founder of the Knights of Columbus. Father McGivney wanted an organization to help Catholic men remain steadfast in their faith through mutual encouragement. He also wanted an organization to promote closer ties of fraternity among Catholic men and to set up an elementary system of insurance so that the widows and children of members who died would not find themselves in dire financial straits. He succeeded. The Knights of Colmbus has one of the strongest and most advantageous insurance programs in the world.
On February 6, 1910, Monterey Council 1465 was chartered with 55 members.
Father Mestres handpicked the officers and presented the list of names to the council. Stephen Field moved that it be accepted by acclamation. A.M. Aggeler was the first Grand Knight and the other officers were M.W. McMenamin, E.A. Elsen, William Otto, E.S. Correia, B.F. Wright, E. Struts, C. Weber, A.A. Watson, E. LaValley, Owen Smith and J.A. Sparolini.
Several members have been mayors: P.J. Dougherty, Dr. Walter Teaby, Emmet McMenamin and Shedo "Buck" Russo. Twenty members were called to services in World War I and members have served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam and Iraq as well.
In its 98 years this council has been the host of four state conventions: 1914, 1931, 1961 and 1985. The chairman of the1985 state convention was past Grand Knight Frank Bruno who presently resides in Monterey.
The Monterey Council started a credit union in 1956. It is presently known as the Monterey Columbian Federal Credit Union and is located on Casanova in Monterey.
Since 1988 the council has sponsored a "Tootsie Roll" drive that raises funds for the Gateway Center of Pacific Grove and the Special Olympics of the Monterey Peninsula. The Grand Knight of the council is the co-chairman of the drive each year and more than $55,000.00 has been raised to date.
For more than 50 years the council has had a food booth at the Monterey County Fair. The purpose of the booth is to raise funds for the many projects of the council. The booth has a chairman who organizes the members and schedules the many volunteers to donate their time to make a successful event. Over the years Past Grand Knights John Perry, Frank Bruno and Frank Martins have given hundred of hours each year to this event. Our menu consists of hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, fries, soda, coffee, bottled water, cocoa, chicken breast sandwiches, great chili and excellent service from dedicated members to our customers.
The Knights of Columbus Council 1465 has also responded to many parish needs through the council's 97 years, from sponsoring altar-boy picnics to paying for the church sound system and school repairs. Members serve as ushers at each Mass.
Every Thanksgiving and Christmas the council donates canned goods to the needy. This is a success because the membership brings in canned goods and the council raises money through the collection of aluminium cans. This project has been in existence for over twenty years.
Past Grand Knight Chris Will has organized the Knights of Columbus Basketball Free Throw contest for many years. Students from San Carlos School test their skills and the winners (girls and boys divisions) go onto the next level of competition.
In 2006 the council, with the dedication and effort of the Sal Allioti family, organized a Christmas dinner/dance that resulted in a donation of $8,000.00 to the San Carlos Cathedral restoration project.
