Anoka Knights of Columbus 2018

10/02 :  About anoka # 2018

   Some Council History

Anoka Knights of Columbus Council 2018 was formed in 1920 with a charter membership of 83 dedicated men. The first Grand Knight was John Coleman and the first Chaplain was Fr. McCarthy from St. Stephens. Grand Knight Coleman called the inaugural meeting to order on May 17, 1920.
The first three meetings were held at the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Hall at a cost of five dollars per meeting. The council then rented space at a place called McCauley Hall for several years. The term of each lease was five years at a cost of $600 per year. In the 1950s a group of knights proposed the purchase of the old Zion Lutheran Church building at 2421 4th Ave. N. at a cost of $15,000. The purchase was completed on October 24, 1953 with a $5,000 down payment and a $10,000 loan for 15 years. The mortgage was paid in full in 1968.
There have been many renovations and some additions to the building, which is still our home today, and is now used as a rental hall as well as a place to hold our meetings and several council events throughout the year. A large room was dug out under the main hall to be used as the council chambers. A kitchen was added and has been renovated a couple of times. Handicapped access was added through the east entrance and a handicapped bathroom built on the main floor. An addition with basement was added to the south side, with a handicapped entrance ramp and wider steps to access the basement. Many other smaller remodeling projects were undertaken over the years, such as windows, floors, painting, heating and air conditioning.
The first council donation was a United States flag to St. Stephens Church. Our annual donations today are in the area of $10,000 and are funded by several events: ham and turkey bingos, the Anoka County Fair bingo, Mother’s Day corsage sales, the annual Tootsie Roll Drive, our council Fish Fry and Spaghetti Dinner, the Midwinter Breakfast and the Safe Place for Newborns Dinner. The Halloween Haunted House is our major fundraiser for the general fund and requires over 2,000 volunteer hours to be successful. The corn dog stand at Riverfest is also a contributor to the general fund.
We don’t believe all work and no play is a good idea, so we do have social events as well. Our Council Fish Fry and the Spaghetti Dinner and Dance are social events that just happen to raise some funds for donations. Other social events are: a golf league and tournament; a steak fry; a card club; our annual Awards Banquet; a midwinter party; a Tom and Jerry Night; and Family Night at the Dome.
In addition to all this we assist with many events at St. Stephens, such as a Memorial Day Mass at the cemetery, Lenten Stations of the Cross, the Boy Scouts, the school marathon and scholar awards and a basketball free throw contest, as well as providing the drivers for the Senior Bussing Program to transport the seniors to church and other events. Fr. Mike’s Fish Fries during Lent are not a council event, but have been chaired since the inception by several of our dedicated members.
With a membership today of over 400, we are constantly changing and adding programs to keep up with our ever changing society.
Mike Petschl
Council historian

02/01 :  Welcome K of C 2018

   Who are the Knights of Columbus?

An organization of Catholic men, whose foundation is based on the principles of UNITY, as a Catholic lay society; CHARITY, to those in need; and FRATERNITY, towards fellow Knights. The principle of PATRIOTISM was added some years after the founding of the KC’s to reflect the love of one’s country.
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