Knights of Columbus celebrates 125th anniversary in Canton
CANTON − In its early days, Canton was an inhospitable place for Catholics.
During the 1800s, Catholics were prohibited from building churches inside the city limits. For example, the historic Basilica of St. John the Baptist was built in 1872 in what was then Plain Township.
Today, it is one of the crown jewels of Canton.
The need for local Catholics to have their own support systems back then led to the formation of the Knights of Columbus Canton Council 341, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary.
The men's fraternal organization, formed in 1898, will have a celebratory dinner and program Saturday at CommQuest Services at 601 Cleveland Ave. N.
The original four-story, 15,000-square-foot building was built by the council in the 1910s.
Stark County Common Pleas Court Judge Frank Forchione will be the guest speaker. Eugene C. "Trey" Wackerly III will give a history of the organization.
"We're considered the right arm of the church," said Wackerly, a fourth-degree, fourth-generation Knight, who added that Council 341 is one of eight in Stark County and the third-oldest in Ohio.
The Knights of Columbus are renown for serving as escorts during special Masses, resplendent in black suits, berets, plumed hats, swords and red-lined cloaks. However, the organization's primary mission is serving others, Grand Knight Bill Riley said.
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"We're very charitable," he said.
Riley noted that since its founding, Council 341 has raised more than a $1 million for local parishes and charities. Projects include Coats for Kids, the annual Blue Mass at St. Joseph's parish, scholarships for Central Catholic and St. Thomas Aquinas students, the Rhoda Wise Shrine, assistance for St. Peter's school and, most recently, the Pregnancy & Parenting Center.
A native of Akron and Goodyear retiree, Riley said he joined the Knights while living in Calhoun, Georgia. He and his wife moved to Canton in 2002.
"I really enjoy helping people. It's a good feeling," he said. "There are so many in Stark County who need help."
The first Knights of Columbus Council was formed in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1881.
"Within seven years, it (spread) 500 miles, to Canton," Riley said. "When you think there were no telephones or cars, it must have been a really big movement."
Riley said they'd like to have more young members but are experiencing the same struggles as other groups.
"Fraternal organizations is just not a thing younger people do," he said.
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Inside the building's Ralph Regula Ballroom, the walls still bear symbols of the Knights, including crests and an image of two ships: a reminder of the organization's namesake, Christopher Columbus.
"It was very unique for a council to have their own building," said Wackerly, a past Grand Knight.
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The Knights sold the building to the Stark Metropolitan Housing Authority in 2002, and the housing agency sold it in 2017 to CommQuest, a nonprofit social service agency.
Today, Council 341's 51 members hold their meetings at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. To learn more, visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/KOFC341.
Reach Charita at 330-580-8313 or charita.goshay@cantonrep.com. On Twitter: @cgoshayREP.
On Twitter: @cgoshayREP
This article originally appeared on The Repository: The Knights of Columbus Council 341 celebrates 125 years of service
