Thanks to the efforts of Father 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. Some 23 years later, members of Long Beach’s St. Anthony’s parish established Council 987. The Long Beach Council is named for Bishop Ca
rl Fisher. Bishop Fisher was the first African-American auxiliary bishop in the
Los Angeles Roman Catholic Archdiocese and only the 12th of his race in the country to attain that position. The personable
churchman rose from the segregated poverty of Mississippi. Blessed with a booming voice and winning smile, Fisher spent the
few years left to him after his appointment as auxiliary bishop immersed in the San Pedro Pastoral Region, which consists of
65 parishes, 53 elementary schools, 10 high schools and three hospitals. It stretches south from the streets of South-Central
Los Angeles to the South Bay and Southeast areas of Los Angeles County (including Long Beach area). 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. In 2012 nationwide the Knights of Columbus donated more than $167.5 million to charity while members contributed over 70 million hours of service to worthy causes. The Knights of Columbus has grown from several members in one council to more than 14,000 councils and 1.8 million members throughout the United States and many other countries. The Long Beach Council ( #987) is one of the oldest in existence and among the first formed on the West coast. We encourage Catholic men residing in our area to consider becoming a member of our council and a “Long Beach Knight”.
