Council Historical Hightlights
A seed was planted 45 years ago when, after five organizational meetings at Saint Margaret’s Church Hall, we received our charter on June 16, 1955. The seed was germinated one week later at Mount Calvary School, when forty-seven catholic gentlemen joined the new Knights of Columbus council. And, for the next forty-five years as the seedling developed, the fruits of this endeavor benefited the church and community enormously.

On April 27, 1961 there was a bond drive for a council home. Ground breaking was on the snow-covered ground on March 11, 1962. On March 16, and 17, 1963 dedication ceremonies of the new council home were held. The home was designated Sarto Hall - the family name of St. Pius X. In May 1974, there was another bond drive for a addition to the council home and general improvement of the facilities. Ground breaking was only a month later, on June 15, 1974. Only four months later the new hall part of the addition to the home was operational.

The council has always been active in the community: As new parishes opened in our community, St. Pius X Council was there with statuary, vestments, and again those mundane things like painting and a washer and dryer. As new schools were built in our community, St. Pius X Council was there with flags for each classroom, CCD supplies, and more mundane things like lawn mowers, tile laying, plumbing supplies, and installing kitchen equipment. Since Bishop McNamara High School became coed the council has donated $5,000 to help in making the required changes to the school facilities.

Our annual Tootsie Roll drives have produced many thousands of dollars which go directly to local service organizations dedicated to improving the lives of the retarded and handicapped. There has never been a shortage of members with good ideas for community related projects. We had dinners for senior citizens, Christmas parties at the Cheltenham Guidance Center, and helped area organizations and businesses. $40,000 was raised for a two year old who needed heart, liver, and lung transplants.

In August, 1958 a revolving charity fund was established to help any brother in distress. In April 1962, the Heart Fund was created.

All through the years there have been children’s parties at Christmas and Easter time. There is a “Turkey Night” to help families get ready for Thanksgiving. The council maintained it’s own blood bank with the Red Cross at one time.

Over the years the council has received many awards. One of the most cherished was from the Melwood Horticultural Center for the Handicapped. Their Distinguished Service Citation was presented to the council for outstanding service to it’s trainees, co-op workers and graduates.

Although the council is very active in the community, we also have ongoing social activities for members and their families held each year. Picnics, dinner/dances, childrens party’s, a softball team (1996 State Champions), trips ands lots more fun. Talk to a member about us and come join us in our endeavors.

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