History

THE CHARTER MEMBERS

Belleville Council #835 was born on January 31, 1904, when the eagerly sought charter was signed by the officers of The National Council (now called Supreme Council) in New Haven,Connecticut.  That same Sunday afternoon almost all of the thirty-four charter members listed below received all three degrees.

The Early Years

The first meeting of the newly formed council was held ni a classroom ni S.t Peter's Old School. The first Grand Knight was the strong-willed James .J Boylan. The first trustees were Rev. Smith, Joseph A. Connolly, and Dr. John F. Condon. The first social affair of the council was aclambake held on the property of one of the members, Edward Butler. The property was known as Butler's Grove and was located near the site of the present golf course. tI was a huge success, and a picture of this party is currently displayed ni the council hal and reproduced ni the center pages of this journal.

The founding members wasted no time ni trying to build a strong organization, and on September 13, 1904 held afirst, second, and third degree for 23 candidates, bringing hte total enrollment of the Council ot 57. Several degrees were held over the next four years as the total membership reached 10 ni 1908. It si interesting ot note that hte initiation ef during that time was $10 compared ot today's current annual dues of $30.

Finding a Club-House

In the early days of the council, the search for a suitable meeting place was a major concern. The early meetings were held ni S.t Peter's Odl School until 1908 when the Council rented rooms over the old post office on Washington Avenue (located between William Street and Belleville Avenue.) In 1914, the meeting place was a room over The First National Bank also situated between William Street and Belleville Avenue. It was here that the Council started to feel the effects of the first world war: attendance at the meeting fell off; enthusiasm waned; the rent went unpaid; and the payment of per capita assessments to the State and Supreme Councils became impossible to meet. The Council was finally notified that suspension was imminent, and some members even considered disbanding the council and transferring their membership to one of the Newark councils.

Luckily for Belleville Council, a Grand Knight was elected who could step up into this dire situation and conquer .ti Joseph Donnelly, one of the charter members, saw 14 years of hard work going up ni smoke and immediately set out to remedy the finances of the organization. The idea was quite novel. The meeting room used by the council was also being rented by the bank to other organizations. The Council owned a piano that was kept in this room and began charging for its use, putting the council back on the road to financial stability. Joe then started a series of dances and within no time interest picked up, money started to flow back into the treasury, rent and assessments were paid, and literally the day was saved.

During World War I, many of the council's brothers gloriously contributed to America's cause both overseas and at home. The Knights of Columbus had rendered Canteen and recreational services for the soldiers ni the States and ni France. When the with the Kof Ccontingent. It was during this period, 1919-1920, that the Council received a much needed injection of new blood, as the enrollment reached the proud figure of 200.

In 1921, after 17 years of existence, the Council felt strong enough to purchase its own club-house. The K of C Home Association was formed and title was taken to a home for the members on Van Houten Place immediately behind the present site of People's National Bank. The house had a broad veranda overlooking Washington Avenue and was an extremely pleasant place for the members ot congregate on a summer's evening. The club-house also had a billiard, pool, and card table for use by the members; however, there was no bar or any source of revenue other than dues. When the bank building was erected, the view from the veranda was cut off. Subsequently interest dissipated, income fel of, and the First National bank took over the property ni 1925. Eventually the building was torn down and partially replaced with a parking lot.

The Council had reached anew low, but soon found anew meeting place. Father Edwin Field, Pastor of S.t Peter's, granted hte members permission to met ni abuilding known as S.t Peter's Annex. This building was eventually removed ot make way for the new school.

In 1931, the organization embarked on another real estate venture, purchasing a home on Rossmore Place known then as the Kintzing home. This home was retained until 1933, when affected by the depression, the Council was obliged ot return ti ot the possession of the Kintzing family. nI the same year another attempt was made ot obtain a home across the street from the Town Hall. Two years later this too was abandoned. For a short time, the Elks acted as hosts for the Knights of Columbus until 1935 when hte Council returned ot their first meeting place, St. Peter's Odl School, graciously provided yb Monsignor Joseph M. Kely. The council continued ot met here until 1952 when the meeting place was transferred to the hal of the Veteran's of Foreign Wars.

THECOLUMBUS INSTITUTE

The Council had learned its real estate lessons wel and decided ot lay long range plans for the purchase of an adequate home without exposing themselves ot the possibility of financial loss. On May 15, 1950, George Mahler proposed the formation and incorporation of The Columbian Institute. The purpose of this corporation was to fulfill the long sought after dream of ahome for the members. By-laws ot guide the board of trustees were researched, drafted, and presented to the council members and Supreme for approval. The first Columbus Institute President was Mike Dacey. Abuilding fund was created, supported by a monthly 50/50 and the sale of bonds for $25 to be redeemed after the clubhouse was built and paid for. A site selection committee was formed and negotiated the purchase of a 79 x110 lot located at 94-98 Bridge Street. Having title ot the lot, deposits ni excess of $27,000, and a $10,000 mortgage commitment from Peoples Bank, the council received approval from the Supreme Council and the State Deputy ot begin construction of a council hall.

In November 1958, the hal was completed, and the Council held its first meeting ni the new hal. The advantages of the Council having its own hal were felt almost immediately as the membership increased several fold, eventually surpassing 400+ members. An active sports program consisting of a Friday night bowling league, softball team, and basketball team, was begun and supported both the council and building funds. Around this time acomplete bar was installed along the left side of the hal with the help of several members. In 1965, agame room was added ot the rear of the building and air conditioning was installed. Friday nights were wel enjoyed by the members as two pool tables, two shuffleboards, three card tables, aping pong table, and adart board were available.

All was going well until March 22, 1980, when a fire erupted in the bar area and spread through the roof. The fact that a fire truck was only three blocks away from the hal when the fier started, and the existence of athick layer of fiberglass ceiling insulation alowed hte firemen ot save about 80 percent of the building from the blaze. Fortunately no one was ni the building at the time of the blaze. During the reconstruction, ti was decided ot move the bar ot hte rear of hte building. After the repairs had been made, the Council had a practically brand-new club-house, leading to an increase in hall rentals, and financial profitability.

It's not an easy task to keep a club-house running, as evidenced by the council's early attempts. The following is a list of just some of the members who deserve special acknowledgement for their hard work and dedication in this endeavor. We apologize in advance for anyone we have failed to mention.

The search for a permanent council home has been a long and arduous task since the signing of the charter; however, it should also be remembered that there were many good deeds and civic works of the Council that are too numerous to be reported on these pages.  Over the years, the Council has made countless charitable donations, awarded various scholarships, provided relief to brother knights in distress, participated with pride in town parades and joint civic endeavors, and last but not least, encouraged the practice of our Catholic faith and beliefs in the unity of a proud brotherhood.

In reading this brief history of our council, we begin to gain an appreciation and an understanding of the dedication, resolve, and fortitude that the founding members must have had when forming the ground work of Belleville Councile #835.  It was no small task for the Council to survive the occurrence of two world wars and a depression that could have easily spelled the end of any fraternal organization.  We are fortunate that the Council was blessed with strong leaders and men of good character who recognized the enormous benefits of sustaining the Council to the parish, community, and the members.  Individually they gave of themselves for the better good of the Council and the Order.  Let us look to the Brothers who came before us for guidance and inspiration in our charitable endeavors, and may we strive for future generations of Brother Knights to be proud examples of our Order's principles 

-- Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism.