About Us

The idea took shape in a social evening at McNicholas High School and the successful fruition can be witnessed in the three hundred plus membership and the handsome hall on Bartels Road, home of the Archbishop Moeller Council of the Knights of Columbus.

That germ of an idea came from Will Wolfer, Ed Feiertag and Bob Vetter, all at that time members of the Gerbes Council of the Knights of Columbus. Will Wolfer and Ed Feiertag with Past Grand Knights and Bob Vetter was past Deputy Grand Knight of Gerdes Council. They all wanted to be active members and recognized the many benefits of this strong Catholic men's organization.

Gerdes Council had moved its headquarters from Withamsville to New Richmond and some of its members who lived quite a distance from New Richmond began to think about a new Council in the suburbs of Mt. Washington or Anderson Township. This was a growing area that held much promise for future members and need for that kind of charitable organization, so Feiertag, Vetter and Wolfer talked and planned and then went to The Reverend John Lamott, then pastor of Guardian Angels, with their idea. They wanted to form a new Council within this area and they asked for his support in the project.

Father Lamott then invited them to use Guardian Angels for the first meeting on March 22, 1954.

Time and circumstances seemed right on that first evening and Edward Feiertag was elected temporary chairman and Robert Vetter, temporary secretary. The prospective members were most grateful for the presence of District Deputy Wm. E. Vogt, Past State Deputy Paul R. Gruhler, State Warden Anthony Bruenneman, Supreme Council organizer Lee Carty and Insurance representative Tuck Buening, all of whom encouraged the formation of the new Council. At the next meeting Archbishop Moeller was unanimously chosen as the title of the Council and the first pages of its history were taking shape. Seventy-three members were witness to the first charter and Council 3861 was born.

Father LaMott was invited to be the first chaplain of the new council, but he regretfully declined. The Reverend Joseph Hageman then assumed the office.

On June 7 the first degree initiation was held followed by the election of officers. The temporary officers were formally elected as Grand Knight Edward Feiertag and Deputy Grand Knight Robert Vetter, all the other offices were also filled. The charter was granted on June 27, 1954. Several locations were considered as meeting places and Lunken Airport Administration Building was selected as the first official meeting hall. The first Corporate Communion was held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church on August 29 and the first Day of Recollection was planned at the church for February of 1955.

The Council grew in membership, brotherhood and dedication to the Order and its ideals; Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism. Meeting places changed from Church halls to the Airport and then to Legion Halls in Mt. Washington and Forestville. Other property was acquired and later sold and finally the grand goal was reached in the beautiful hall on Bartels Road that the Moeller Council now calls home.

The Home Company, a vital force in all of this activity, was established in 1958 with Fred Riggs as the first president. This organization has served the council prudently and extremely well, electing new officers each year who saw to it that all the business and financial proceeding of the Society were carefully managed.

The first festival was held on June 22-23, 1968, with Joe Meyer as the chairman. This annual event has become a red letter date on the Council calendar adding camaraderie to the group, family entertainment for all and additional funds to the treasury.

After Father Hageman resigned as chaplain, Monsignor John Staunton of Our Lady of Loretto parish, accepted the post in November of 1957. He served for many years and Reverend James Haley succeeded him by 1962. In September of 1968 Monsignor Bernard Piening was welcomed as fourth chaplain.

After many years of hoping and planning, clearing and praying, ground breaking ceremonies for the new hall were held on August 20, 1967.

Besides the changing of Chaplains and officers, meeting places and building plans, the years have been marked by increased activity and growing loyalty. Groups were formed to spread Catholic Action in many areas including Christ in Christmas, Devotion to Our Lady of Fatama and Right to Life. Young people in the family and beyond were loved and encouraged with activities, contests, programs and scouting. Community needs such as the Blood Bank were generously fulfilled.

Still there was time for good fellowship and healthy competition through horseshoes, baseball, bowling, golf and other games. Through all of these productive and leisure activities the Ladies Auxillary, officially formed in 1959, lent helping hands and willing hearts to whatever events or cause the Society greeted and even took on some of their own.

And always there was the sustaining lifeblood of the Society, the Corporate Communion, where the members joined together in prayers of worship and thanksgiving as bonded members of the Catholic Church. They came together as loyal sons, united in Fraternity through their Knighthood and they preserved in Charity and Patriotism for the benefit of their Church and their Country.

So now, over three hundred members strong, Moeller Council honors its patron, Archbishop Henry Moeller and its past and present Chaplains, salutes its past Grand Knights and officers and thanks the community as a whole for the welcome, love and respect it has bestowed on them as representatives of the Knights of Columbus.