According to the Knights of Columbus website, “When a man joins the Knights of Columbus, he has the opportunity to grow in his faith through its many programs and resources and through charitable service to his neighbor. In addition, a new Knight becomes part of a “band of brothers” that provides fraternal support and encouragement for one another and their families.” And so it is, that Catholic men seek membership in the KC organization.

The Marion Chapter of the Knights of Columbus was chartered on February 22, 1970. It grew out of 56 charter members of the St. Joseph Catholic Church located at 800 N. Russell St.

The first Grand Knight of the organization was Heze L. “Mac” McCuan, who devoted himself to the organization, his church, family and Troop 11 of the Boy Scouts of America. It is estimated that McCuan influenced the lives of approximately 500 young men in his time with scouting, I being one of those.

The first KC Hall was the old St. Joseph’s Parish Hall located at the back of the lot in the location of the original Catholic church at 908 W. Boulevard St. When the building was badly damaged in the tornado of May 1982, a location was chosen next to the new St. Joseph’s church on Russell Street and was built in December of 1982.

The first event in the hall was when Past Grand Knight Mike Amaroso’s daughter held her wedding reception there.

In 2012, the hall saw renovation to its kitchen facilities and banquet hall.

Some of the charities that the KC support are Relay for Life, Pregnancy Matters, Marion Ministerial Alliance, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Intellectually Disabled, Blood Drives, Veteran’s on Parade, Bingo at the VA, Fishing with the Handicapped, KC Bowling for Charity, Newman Center, College Scholarships, Special Olympics, Coats for Kids and of course their support of Camp Ondessonk located in Ozark, Illinois.

The Knights of Columbus are well known for their hosting of the Marion City Fireworks display on the fourth of July, Catholic Church Bingo and their support of the church. In addition, most families in town have been engaged through their Soccer Camps and use of the Catholic Soccer fields behind the church.

Their hall is available for rental to service special occasions.

 In May of 2013, the current membership stands at 296 members and the Marion Knights of Columbus chapter is a viable and strong organization heavily connected to church, community and national service.

Original Charter members of the Marion Knights of Columbus are as follows:

C.E. Antonacci, R.J. Andolsek, J.R. Andolsek, J.B. Bleyer, A.J. Berkel, J.H. Boester, D.L. Bragee, R.L. Case, M.J. Grojean, C.A. Luckett, H.L. McCuan, V.C. Pellegrini, R.V. Power, J.E. Scrivner, W.E. Weber, C.V. Adams, J.P. Andolsek, H.D. Arnold, S. Brown Jr., A.N. Castellano, G. Casey, C.H. Carter, J.P. Creed, F.F. DeMonsi, C.H. Davis, C.E. Demattei, R.V. Depyatic, J.C. Dingrando, D.E. Disanto, O.A. Eaton, Rev. I. Estes, P. Faragon, A.F. Foran, P.W. Ford, R.A. Goodwin, R.L. Halbin, F. Hudgens, E.O. Humphrey, J.F. Karl, J.J. Kigin, W.C. King, E.G. Lamb, S. Lattuca, C.H. Machicao, L.V. Mohr, Rev. T. Murphy, J.H. Nall, S.W. Narusis, W.W. Ninness, W. Pankratz, B. Pulley Jr., D. Smith, C.A. Stricker, G.J. Suchocki, D.A. Teflor, F.H. Uchman.

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(Data from the Marion Knights of Columbus, special thanks to current Grand Knight Richard Heckel and the K of C Website; compiled by Sam Lattuca on 05/11/2013)