Thanks to the efforts of Blessed Michael J. McGivney, assistant pastor of St. Mary’s Church in New Haven and some of his parishioners, the Connecticut state legislature on March 29, 1882, officially chartered the Knights of Columbus as a fraternal benefit society. The Order is still true to its founding principles of charity, unity and fraternity.
The Knights was formed to render financial aid to members and their families. Mutual aid and assistance are offered to sick, disabled and needy members and their families. Social and intellectual fellowship is promoted among members and their families through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief and public relief works.
The history of the Order shows how the foresight of Father Michael J. McGivney, whose cause for sainthood is being investigated by the Vatican, brought about what has become the world's foremost Catholic fraternal benefit society. The Order has helped families obtain economic security and stability through its life insurance, annuity and long-term care programs, and has contributed time and energy worldwide to service in communities.
The Knights of Columbus has grown from several members in one council to more than 15,100 councils and 1.9 million members throughout the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, Poland, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Cuba, Guatemala, Guam, Saipan, Lithuania, Ukraine, and South Korea.
http://www.kofc.org/un/en/about/index.html
The Knights of Columbus Council #4542 was chartered in 1958 to serve the parish of St. Michael Catholic Church and the Levelland community. Throughout its history, the council has been led by Catholic gentlemen who have guided the membership and service projects of the council. Our appreciation goes to Kenneth Miller for compiling this list of Past Grand Knights.
Grand Knight | Years of Service |
Walter Schmalstieg | 2-26-1958 to 6-20-1959 |
Herman Greener | 7-1-1959 to 6-30-1960 |
Willie Zinanni | 7-2-1961 to 6-30-1963 |
Edgar Kahlich | 7-1-1963 t0 11-18-1964 |
Dean Kluckman | 11-18-1964 to 6-30-1967 |
Louis Schultz | 7-1-1967 to 6-30-1968 |
Milo Johonnet | 7-1-1968 to 6-30-1970 |
Billy Stefens | 7-1-1970 to 6-30-1972 |
Carl Shamburger | 7-1-1972 to 6-30-1974 |
Paul Christian | 7-1-1974 to 6-30-1976 |
Joe Hoelscher | 7-1-1976 to 6-30-1978 |
Albert Kahlich | 7-1-1978 to 6-30-1980 |
Tom Hesse | 7-1-1980 to 6-30-1981 |
Terry Isaacs | 7-1-1981 to 6-30-1983 |
Jim Hutson | 7 -1-1983 to 8-31-1983 |
Richard O'Bryant | 9-1-1983 to 6-30-1984 |
Stephen John | 7-1-1984 to 6-30-1986 |
Tom Hesse | 7-1-1986 to 6-30-1987 |
Juan Pompa | 7-1-1987 to 6-30-1988 |
Brett Paxton | 7-1-1988 to 6-30-1989 |
Siemon Mendez | 7-1-1989 to 6-30-1991 |
Jesus Rodriguez | 7-1-1992 to 6-30-1993 |
Carl Shamburger | 7-1-1993 to 6-30-1994 |
Wayne Palmer | 7-1-1994 to 6-30-1995 |
Gordon Woods | 7-1-1994 to |
Lewis Perez | 7-1-1999 to 6-30-2002 |
David Fuentes, Sr. | 7-1-2002 to 8-1-2003 |
Joseph Honesto | 8-1-2003 to 6-30-2005 |
Osbaldo (Jr.) Gonzalez | 7-1-2005 to 6-30-2006 |
Ramon Perez | 7-1-2006 to 6-30-2007 |
James Puente | 7-1-2007 to 6-30-2010 |
Tomas Rodriguez | 7-2-2010 to 6-30-2013 |
Vicente Cisneros | 7-1-2013 to 6-30-2015 |
Jerardo Gonzalez | 7-1-2015 to 6-30-2021 |
David Fuentes, Sr. | 7-1-2021 to present |