History of the Joseph Barry Council
On January 20, 1924 a charter was granted by the Knights of Columbus and one hundred and eleven men, participated in the ceremonies which exemplified them and they became the charter members.
They chose the name of Joseph Barry, a young man of the highest character, for the council's own. Joseph Barry was a local boy who gave his life during the First World War.
The first meetings of the Council were held In the St. Ignatius School but soon the Council needed more room. They purchased the house and property located at 65 East John Street in 1927. The Council held its meetings there for the next 24 years. The Edward J. Kenny Club incorporated as the Council's real estate holding company and received its charter on October 15,1927.
In October 1951 the gavel came do to signifying the close of the John St. clubhouse. It would be almost 10 years before open another meeting under our own roof. After a few meetings held St. Ignatius school cafeteria. The regular meetings were held in the Veterans of Foreign Wars building on Grand Street beginning January 1952. Exactly four years later meetings were again held In the St. Ignatius School on a regular basis.
In the fall of 1959 property was acquired opposite the Court House on Heitz Place and ground was broken.(Click for Groundbreaking Picture) On June 4, 1961, amid a big celebration begun by a grand parade, our new Club House was opened. At the time we began meeting in the Heitz Place Club House, our membership exceeded 600.
Our youth have always been a major interest and endeavor of the council and in 1947, our Squires Circle was established.
On April 1, 1997 the Council approved the establishment of a Columbiettes Auxiliary.
Joseph Barry Council has always worked hard to be part of "the strongest right arm of the church. And with the glorious and prideful history we possess. We pray that the past shall indeed be prologue.
