Knights Of Columbus Prepare To Dedicate New Home

Knights Of Columbus Prepare To Dedicate New Home

200 Expected To Attend Opening Banquet Sunday

Commercial Garage Completely Converted To Modern Lodge

Ann Arbor Knights of Columbus set out last summer to convert an old commercial garage at 1915-1917 Jackson Ave. into their new home.

Achievement of this goal will be noted at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow when some 200 members and wives gather for a dedication dinner.

The task Involved a complete transformation of the structure inside and out. The basement is now a modernized clubroom complete with snack kitchen. The main floor now includes lodge room, reading and television lounge, main kitchen and checkroom. 

Exterior Altered

The startling changes are visible on the exterior. Gone are the large blank windows and doors. The windows have been made slightly smaller and enclosed with translucent glass blocks. A simple porch of redwood frames the front door. Above this, the organization’s initials, K of C, and lodge number, 587, are embedded against a wood background.

Even the remaining brick exterior has been cleaned. And in the rear, a door leading to the basement clubroom is also framed by a wood porch. Here is also a parking lot, soon to be blacktopped, capable of holding up to 70 cars.

The Knights' home was purchased from Arthur E. Greene, owner of Greene's Cleaners, June 19, 1953. Douglas D. Loree, local architect, drew the plans for the transformation, and Clifford E. Deller, local contractor, went to work.

Completion of this project is one step forward in progress made the Ann Arbor Council of the organization, which was formed June 12, 1901. At that date, the initial recorded meeting took place at the “Old School Hall.” This was located on the site upon which the new St. Thomas School is being built.

Efforts Recognized

The Ann Arbor Council credits the late Father Edward D. Kelly, pastor of St. Thomas Church and later Bishop of Grand Rapids as a key figure in getting the organization started here.

On April 1, 1909, the Knights of Columbus moved to the southwest corner of Main and Washington Sts. over what was the Reule, Conlin & Fiegel Store. It was a small group. It is said that “two desks, four chairs, four pedestals and other equipment" made up all physical properties.

The council began to grow rapidly, and the following year it moved its headquarters to property at the northwest corner of N. Division and E. Huron Sts.

It wasn’t until May 16, 1924, that the Knights of Columbus made their next move, to the northeast corner of E. Huron St. and N. Fourth Ave.

Then, on Nov. 19, 1926, the former Schroen property at E. William and Maynard Sts. was secured. This was the group’s home until

Challenge Is Met

Paying off the mortgage offered a challenge throughout the depression years which formed the interim. Through the years, member loyalty was steadfast. A banquet followed a mortgage-burning celebration at the St. Thomas Auditorium on Nov. 19, 1946.

Tomorrow's dedication banquet will be attended by Mayor William E. Brown, jr., and state officers of the Knights of Columbus.

The state officers participating will be Thomas M. Kavanagh of Carson City, state deputy; Walter H. Graveline of Bay city, state secretary; the Rt. Rev. Msgr. Raymond J. Sweeney of Grand Rapids, state chaplain; Wilfred T. Connelly of Detroit, state treasurer; and Joseph Mainolfi of Saginaw, state advocate.

Ann Arbor Council officers are Walter Stiller, grand knight; Hobart Gainsley, chancellor; Richard Swope, recorder; Edward Libs, treasurer; H. P. Smith, advocate; Les Schneider, warden; and Francis Smiley, outside guard.