Richmond Knights celebrate 125 years of service, fraternity

Council #395 Grand Knight Thomas Giannasi (left) and Bishop Barry C. Knestout listen as Knights of Columbus state secretary Trey Hart reads a message from Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly at the 125th anniversary celebration of Council #395 Jan. 19, 2025. (Photo/D. Hunter Reardon)

For many members of the Knights of Columbus Council #395, the group has always been a part of their lives.

“One of my oldest memories is being 10 years old, walking with my dad and a bunch of other old men around properties all over the West End [of Henrico], as they looked for a place for a new home,” said Christopher Klotz, council advocate. “I remember when we opened the new building in 1969. They had all the kids hauling the bricks.”

“Times change. Fourteen years ago, the Knights decided to build a new facility, and I had become the old man,” said Klotz.

Joe McCracken, parishioner at St. Bridget, Richmond, and longtime Knight, said, “I remember back when I was a kid, we’d go over in Ginter Park to the Fourth of July picnic.”

Deacon Charlie Giovannetti, who serves at St. Bridget, joined the Knights as a high school senior decades ago. “My dad was Grand Knight in 1952. I was born in ’56. He had a brother who was also a member here. We have a lot of history here – we go back to the building that was downtown.”

In fact, Council #395 has been a part of the Richmond community for longer than anyone alive today can remember. On Sunday, Jan. 19, the Knights gathered at the Father Robert W. McDonald Columbian Center in western Henrico to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the council. Refreshments and fellowship in the adjacent social hall followed the ceremony.

Council #395, founded in 1899 at Belvedere Hall in Richmond, was the first Knights of Columbus council in the metro Richmond area, and the second in our diocese. It is not associated with a particular parish. In fact, the modern council traces its roots back to more than one organization.

The McGill Catholic Union, established by Bishop John J. Keane in 1886 to promote scholarship and fraternity among Catholic men, began sharing its building in 1908 with the Knights of Columbus Richmond Council #395. The charitable and social activities of the McGill Catholic Union have long been subsumed into Council #395, but the organization is still technically operational – it holds the liquor license at the Columbian Center, where beer and wine are often served at social events.

In 1969, Bishop John J. Russell requested that Council #395 merge with Father Robert McDonald Council #5476, which was chartered in western Henrico in 1962. Today, the council is known as Father Robert McDonald Council #395.

At the Jan. 19 event, current Grand Knight Thomas Giannasi simplified this history lesson with a slideshow. It was also an opportunity to present an award for exemplary service to past Grand Knight Thomas Murphy, and for visiting state secretary Trey Hart to deliver a message from Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly.

“The future is in your hands. Be assured of my prayers as you put our faith into action,” Kelly wrote.

Bishop Barry C. Knestout was the guest of honor, and he delivered his own reflection on the Knights’ 125 years of service in Richmond.

“We look at the history and the names of those who have been involved as chaplains and Knights,” said Bishop Knestout. “It’s a mosaic of the history of this diocese – people who have had such a great impact in the culture of life in Richmond and in Virginia, helping to foster, facilitate and grow the Catholic faith here.”

A large poster on the wall detailed charitable and social events in which Council #395 is involved today. Blood drives, scholarships, movie nights, golf tournaments, a bowling team, Coats for Kids, support for pregnancy centers, and support for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul were among more than 50 items on the list.

“It’s a remarkable list of activities,” said the bishop. “In each case, the ordinary work of the Knights of Columbus to foster faith and relationships have been occasions for the grace of God manifested.”

Klotz touched on how the Knights have impacted him in his own spiritual life. “I’d like to think this organization has made me a better Catholic man, a better father, a better husband,” he said.

Ken Lazzaro, a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #6326 at Immaculate Conception, Mineral, attended the ceremony as a visitor, and came away impressed.

“It’s interesting to see what different things this council is involved in,” he said. “There are so many different events and causes. It seems like a very active group.”

Brian Wenk, who served as Grand Knight at Council #395 in the mid-1980s, said that the spirit of the council is unchanged.

“It’s the same old group,” he said. “Just a different building.”

 

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