In 1970, the Sir Knights from various councils in
Chester County met and held an exploratory meeting
at the Msgr. Henry C. Schuyler Council home in West
Chester, PA., to consider forming a new assembly for
the area. Members present at this initial meeting
included: From Msgr. Henry C Schuyler Council,
Edward B. Bridge, Henry P. Corcoran, Charles Gruber,
Franklin P. Hemphill, Robert Hillenbrand, W. Lewis
Reilly, Joseph F. Sullivan, Jr.; From Christ the
King Council, Eugene 0. Ahearn, George F. Bodner,
Samuel Forese, Wilber J. Derr; From Bishop Michael
A. Corrigan Council, Francis A. Coccagna, Frank
Antonini, Peter D'Andrea, Joseph Wimmer, Edward J.
Jablonski; From St. Pius X Council, Thomas D. Cecco,
Samuel Rizzotte; and From Pope John XXIII Council,
James E. Lyons, Joesph J. McGough, Joseph Durning,
James A. Fennelly. These members decided to organize
a Fourth Degree Club, rather than going forward and
organizing a General Assembly in the Chester County
area.
The by-laws of the club were written; and the aim
and purpose of the Chester County Club were to
foster membership in the Fourth Degree, to develop a
spirit of brotherhood, to exemplify patriotism and
to maintain the ideals of Columbianism, and to
encourage social activities for members and their
families. Fourth Degree Knights of any council in
Chester County were eligible for membership in this
club provided:
1.) He is in good standing with his council.
2.) He is in good standing with the Church.
The officers of the club shall consist of the
following: President, Vice-President's (one from
each council), Secretary, Treasurer, Trustees (3),
and a Chaplain.
The Club met once a month on the last Wednesday of
the month. The monthly meetings were rotated among
the participating councils. The standing committees
included: Membership, Honor Guard, and Reception for
the new candidates to be exemplified each year.
The first officers of the Fourth Degree Club in 1970
were as follows:
President - SK Wilber Derr
Vice-President - SK Frank
Hemphill
Vice-President - SK George Bodnar
Vice-President - SK Frank Antonini
Vice-President - SK Joseph McGough
Sec./Treasurer - SK W. Lewis Reilly
Trustee 1st Yr. - SK Edward Bridge
Trustee 2nd Yr.- SK Eugene Ahearn
Trustee 3rd Yr.- SK John Morris
Presidents that followed were as follows;
1971 SK Frank Hemphill
1972 SK George Bodnar
1973 SK Frank Coccagna
At the end of 1973, the Fourth Degree Club
decided that each council should continue to foster
the Fourth Degree in their own councils, and in a
few years when more councils are formed in Chester
County, then make an attempt to organize a formal
assembly in Chester County.
Each of the years that the club was in existence,
members participated in various activities such as:
Visits to the Veterans Administration Hospital in
Coatesville, PA., to celebrate Mothers Day with Mass
and present a gift to the chapel in memory of their
own Mothers, on Flag Day, the Fourth Degree Club
members would help veterans organize a party in
honor of the Flag. The Fourth Degree Club Chaplain,
Father Edward G. Lyons was instrumental in
organizing these veterans' projects.
The club participated in many Fourth of July parades
in Downingtown. The members of the club were present
as Honor Guard, at the dedication of the new St.
Joseph Church in Downingtown
