Knights of Columbus Massillon Council 554

On January 27, 1901, Massillon Knights of Columbus Council No. 554 was granted its charter from the Supreme Council, with a charter membership of 48 men. The Massillon K of C Council is one of the oldest fraternal organizations in the city and one of the oldest councils in Ohio.

Massillon Council 554 and the Bishop Massillon Fourth Degree General Assembly are named for Bishop Jean Baptiste Massillon, who served as chaplain in the Court of King Louis XIV of France. The Bishop Massillon Assembly was formed on January 1, 1930, and encompasses members from the Massillon-Navarre and Canton areas. Prior to this the members belonged to the Canton Assembly. The Fourth Degree is the "Patriotic Arm" of the Knights of Columbus whose main function is to promote and participate in patriotic endeavors on the national, state and community levels.

Over the years as the council grew, so did the enthusiasm of its members, who for many years have been active in works of charity and community involvement. Massillon Council's enthusiasm and pride is indicative of the fact that for the past several years it has been one of the top councils in the entire state of Ohio. We have earned numerous State Council and Supreme Council awards for participation in programs designed to help the Church, the community and youth. Council members are also actively involved in the fight against abortion, obscenity and pornography. The also promote projects to help those in need, financial or otherwise. Many of the program directors are in the top ten in the entire state, for their respective programs.

The activities and accomplishments of Council 554 are numerous. Council members are active in Church Activities. Many of our members are serving their respective parishes in such capacities as Lectors, Lay Distributors, C.C.D. instructors and are active in many parish organizations such as The Holy Name Society, The St. Vincent de Paul Society, etc. The Council also promotes Corporate Communions for members and their families. Scholarships to our local Catholic schools are awarded each year from funds set up by our Massillon Knights Foundation. The Foundation also support area projects as building and school restoration projects at local parishes and Central Catholic High School.

The Council also has a strong "fraternal" program. Regular visits are made by our members to hospitalized Brother Knights, as well as the sending of get-well cards. An annual Memorial Mass and Service for deceased members is held in November. Also support to our member's family is provided with a prayer service by our Bereavement Committee at the calling hours of our deceased member. Such projects as dances, dinners and other functions are held for the benefit of members in need or their families.

In the area of "Council" activities the council provides many activities for the benefit of members, in promoting the cause of fraternalism and fellowship. We presently have a Wednesday evening golf league and regularly participate in the Ohio K of C Golf Tournaments. Many other activities are held throughout the year such as dinners, fish fries, dances, the annual family picnic and many more activities for the benefit of members, their families and guests.

Council 554 also recognizes local charitable and echumetical service by a member of a local non-Catholic church in the form of the Humanitarian Award. This award is presented annually to an individual in recognition of his or hers outstanding service to their church and the Massillon community.

In early 1976 the council formed a Columbian Squires Circle which is the junior organization of the Knights of Columbus. Membership is open to boys between the ages of 10 and 18 and the purpose of the Squires is the development of leadership abilities and talents through spiritual, civic, cultural, social and athletic activities. The circle became inactive after a few years, but was reactivated in 2001.

The Massillon Council is fortunate to have two fine auxiliary organizations in which member's wives, daughters, mothers or sisters may join. The Columbian Ladies Guild was formed on October 19, 1965. They meet the third Tuesday of every month and present interesting programs for its members. The Isabella Club is another fine organization, which has been organized for over 50 years. They meet on the second Thursday of each month and also provide interesting programs at their meetings as well as play cards for member's entertainment. Both of these wholesome organizations are invaluable to the Massillon Knights, for their help and assistance is greatly appreciated by the Council.