The Knights of Columbus : an illustrated history

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Title:

The Knights of Columbus : an illustrated history

Personal Author:

Walther, Andrew T., author.

ISBN:

9780757003080

9780757002243

Physical Description:

xvi, 280 pages : illustrations (chiefly color) 31 cm

General Note:

Includes index.

Contents:

The early years (1881-1896) -- Taking root, expansion, and the war effort (1897-1919) -- In search of liberty (1920-1929) -- Helping our neighbors: the Great Depression (1930-1940) -- War and peace (1941-1950) -- "One nation under God" (1951-1964) -- Balancing modernization with preservation (1965-1979) -- One Christian family (1980-1999) -- Into the new millennium (2000- ) -- Conclusion.

Abstract:

"A story of faith, leadership, and service"--Cover.

Corporate Subject:

Knights of Columbus.

Subject Term:

Fraternal organizations -- United States -- History.

Catholic Church -- Societies, etc.

Fraternal organizations.

Geographic Term:

Genre:

Added Author:

Electronic Access:

Language:

English

Available:*

Library	Material Type	Shelf Number	Location
Searching... Nichols Branch	Book	267 WALT	Searching... Unknown

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Summary

What You Don't Know About the Knights of Columbus Could Fill a Book--and It Has!

This book tells a uniquely American story of faith in action. From its 1882 founding by a handful of men from a small, predominantly Irish Catholic parish in New Haven, Connecticut, the Knights of Columbus has grown to an international brotherhood of nearly 2 million members across North America and throughout the world. Formed by Father Michael J. McGivney with the men of his parish, the new fraternal organization was committed to the principles of charity and unity, while supporting the faith and financial viability of its members and their families. From its earliest days, the organization made the case that one could be both a good Catholic and a true American citizen, pushing back against the religious discrimination that was all too common. It would soon grow into an organization whose members supported one another while also contributing to their parishes, their communities, their countries, and the world.

Lavishly illustrated with hundreds of beautiful photos, The Knights of Columbus: An Illustrated History presents the story of this remarkable organization--and the many ways in which it has helped individuals, while also helping shape American and world history at key moments. You will discover the Knights' decisive contributions during times of disaster as far back as the San Francisco earthquake and fire of 1906 and as recently as Hurricanes Katrina, Sandy, and Harvey. The book presents K of C's very public resistance to the Ku Klux Klan and its message of hate in the 1920s--just one example of the Knights' stand against bigotry. Also featured is the Knights' respect for the importance of education, as the group worked to rectify the historical inaccuracies of the nation's textbooks and narratives during the 1920s. That work would help to tell the previously overlooked stories of America's Catholics, African Americans, and Jews, among others. Also highlighted is the organization's active role in the fight for religious freedom throughout the world, from its involvement in ending the Mexican government's persecution of Catholics during the 1920s to its current work to end persecution of religious minorities in the Middle East and provide assistance for ISIS genocide survivors. K of C support for America's troops and veterans saw soldiers through two world wars and continues today.

In nearly a century and a half since its humble beginnings, the Knights of Columbus has touched the lives of countless individuals--Catholic and non-Catholic--in communities around the world. Through war and peace, it has remained a consistent example of faith in action, assisting its neighbors next door and around the world with help and hope, faith and freedom.

Reviews (2)

Publisher's Weekly Review

Married coauthors Andrew and Maureen Walther--vice president for communications and strategic planning and a former special assistant to the Knights of Columbus CEO, respectively--explore the formation, goals, and accomplishments of the Catholic fraternal organization in this laudatory history. Full of engaging vignettes and images, the book details many Catholic Americans who built an organization that provided material and spiritual aid to people around the world. The history covers the organization's origins in Connecticut in 1882 and its mission to support Catholics in maintaining their distinctiveness (particularly immigrant Catholics) while also being good American citizens. While the Knights are an all-male organization, it is notable that women barely appear outside of sections on abortion, given that they were significant recipients of the organization's broad-reaching social programs. Overall, though, this well-designed history will be informative to any reader interested in the Knights of Columbus. (Mar.)

Booklist Review

People forget that Catholics were once deeply despised in the U.S., and suspected of being un-American. Father Michael McGivney established the Knights of Columbus in the late 1800s to help Catholic families face the day-to-day difficulties of finding jobs and feeding their children, but he also saw them struggle for acceptance as citizens. Rivaling other fraternal aid organizations, the Knights focused on charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism. This book chronicles the group's activities, from helping in the aftermath of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake through Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and beyond. Throughout the organization's mission-minded history, the Knights have opposed Communism and the Ku Klux Klan and made inroads to promote racial harmony. In towns all over America, local KC halls have become community hubs of aid and support. Andrew and Maureen Walther's history is chock-a-block with archival photographs and documents, with luminaries called "notable knights" featured on many pages. On other pages, thumbnail photos and accompanying factoids provide visual interest to the layout. Catholic and non-Catholic readers alike will find much to enjoy.