How the Council was Organized in 1953
Grand Knight Rudy C. Wittal 1953-54
Grand Knight Ronald J. Hall 1954-55
Grand Knight Charles D. Spencer 1955-56
Grand Knight Vincent H. Hohman 1956-57
Grand Knight Vincent H. Hohman 1957-58
Grand Knight Joseph C. Van Dusen 1958-59
Council Activities in the 1950's
Council Officers in the 1950's
Go back to History of Council 3744
Rudy Wittal was State membership chairman and was given the
assignment of starting a council in Westchester.
First members were found by going door to door in residential
area now vacated by LAX, and by recruiting at the churches.
The Council was organized by Rudy Wittal and Charles Spencer on
Oct. 20, 1953.
First officers (except for appointed
offices) were elected Oct. 20 at the Women's Club. Requirements
for applying for Charter, Nov. 17, 1953.
Induction of first 100 candidates as members of K of C at the
Women's Club building.
Fr. Thomas J. O'Sullivan of Visitation
parish was chosen as the first Chaplain.
For first few years, meetings were held at the Westchester Women's Club on Sepulveda
Blvd at 80th St.
The members voted to name the council
after Fr. Emil Kapaun.
Fr. Charles Harman became new Chaplain
in late May 1954.
Nov. 17, 1953 - certificate - Council Charter - in foyer
A crucifix - "In memory of Dennis and Esther Hoban" -
Fr. Schneider, S.J. Room. West, high shelf
Council officers 1954-55
Ron was elected the second Grand Knight
but couldn't finish his term. The rest of his term was served out
by his DGK Charles Spencer.
Fr. Charles Harman was appointed the council's second Chaplain in
late May 1954, and served until early Sept. 1959. 1954- statue
-So. Calif. Chapter, K of C, Youth Award
Council officers 1955-56
1955- statue -Youth Achievement Award, C.D. Spencer, GK
Council officers 1956-57
1956 - statue - Youth Achievement Award, Vince Hohman, GK
Council officers 1957-58
Meetings are held at American Legion Hall on Lincoln by Sept
1957. [find date moved]
Sept. 17, while the GK was absent, DD Rudy Wittal initiated
impeachment proceedings against GK Vince Hohman, using a misprint
in a clipping from the Westchester News-Advertiser as evidence.
Started selling bonds for new hall Nov. 1957. $25 bonds available
Feb. 18, 1958; directors of the "3744 Corp." were
elected at next meeting? with Ralph Hills as President.
The building fund money was transferred from the General Fund to
the "3744 Corp" (voted on Apr. '58 - Feb. '59)
May 5 - Squires circle disbanded.
Holding Co. founded May 21, 1958. (Since a K of C council is a
non-profit organization, any money that is raised and spent for
the upkeep of a hall must be held by a separate organization.)
After looking at several lots, Dick Harris chose the site of the
hall on an empty block where the Elks were starting to build
their hall; the property was acquired from Marlow-Burns. see the
Marlow-Burns collection at L.M.U. library web site]
July 1 - Bid for construction of building at $16,500 unfinished,
$24,500 total (was estimated at $42,000 the previous December);
having trouble with the land; bond permit not yet approved.
About 20 brothers donated their special talents in constructing
the hall. For example, Bro. Fred Dyke, who was a sheet metal
worker, fashioned the hood over the kitchen stove.
Council officers 1958-59
By Aug. the building permit was granted and the 3744 Corp. permit
enacted.
Started selling bonds to pay for building in Sept. 1958. (bond
certificates are in storage)
Council is only council that won award for Rancho ticket sales
for fourth time in a row.
Ground breaking for Council Hall Jan. 8, 1959; MC Vince Hohman
introduces the dignitaries, then has guest speakers, then
presentation of check to Ralph Hills, then the ground breaking.
Construction well underway by Jan. 20.
Golf tournament organized for Feb.
Decided that hall will be reserved the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays for
business meetings, 2nd and 4th Tuesdays for social meetings or to
rent out.
Apr. 6 The Council started paying $100 a month rent to Holding
Co, but continued paying rent to American Legion.
Plasterer strike held up construction in May & June.
Hall construction completed about July 1, followed by members
painting and fixing the floor, and buying furnishings.
Council members participate in a Paul Revere Club with other
councils to combat communism and subversive literature.
David Fochtman organizes a Glee Club, has members but needs a
piano.
Go back to History of Council 3744
Before the hall was constructed, meetings were held in the
Westchester Women's Club building behind the YMCA for a few
years, then at an American Legion Hall on Lincoln. Breakfast and
dinners were held at restaurants with banquet facilities.
Many programs we enjoy today were in place from the earliest
years of the council, and have served its members and the
community from the very start. By 1957, the activities in place
included Rancho ticket selling at local supermarkets and setting
up and cleaning tables, Quarterly Communion Masses and going out
to breakfast (over 100 at July '57 Mass, only 40 at breakfast),
Passion Sunday Communion and breakfast, Spring Dinner Dance in
early June, a Beer Bust Dance on the 5th Tuesday of the month,
Moose Fair, three bowling teams, blood drives about every other
month, Installation of Officers at an open meeting, successful
retreats for couples or families at the Serra Retreat House, a
constantly-recruiting Squires circle (disbanded May 1958), PGK
(or officers) Dinner Dance (Luau-style) in October, Christmas
Party at Nazareth House for orphans (Sepulveda and Magnolia)
where they give gifts and shoes they collected and had ice cream
cake and Santa, the council even sponsored a drag race.
In addition, the council was active in Chapter (Rancho,
Columbus Day Mass at the Cathedral), Assembly and State events.
Everything was publicized in a council bulletin.
The order of business at meetings was basically the same as it
is today; there were drawings and attendance prizes (the name of
a member is drawn and you must be present to win), and members
and officers were fined if the were found not wearing their jewel
of office, not setting up or using the salutation table
correctly, wearing one's hat during prayers, not knowing the
password, etc. Every meeting was a full business meeting Ñ and
they had guest speakers or showed films in addition to the
committee reports, unlike today where the Lecturer's program or a
degree ceremony takes the place of committee reports.
Go back to History of Council 3744
1953-1954
Chaplain: Rev. Thomas J. Sullivan
Grand Knight: Rudy C. Wittal
Deputy Grand Knight: Robert W. Tucker
Chancellor: Ronald J. Hall
Recorder: William A. Meggison
Financial Secretary: Phillip J. Guindon
Treasurer: Harry J. Kay
Lecturer: Paul J. Kliebert
Advocate: Lester A. Haug
Warden: John J. Sharkey
Inside Guard: Julius M. Lazok
Outside Guard: Vincent H. Hohman
Outside Guard: Douglas A. Cooke
3-year Trustee: Charles D. Spencer
2-year Trustee: Daniel Sanford
1-year Trustee: Barney Jagosz
1954-1955
Chaplain: Rev. Charles W. Harmon
Grand Knight: Ronald J. Hall; Rudy C. Wittal
Deputy Grand Knight: Robert W. Tucker; Charles D. Spencer
Chancellor: Vincent H. Hohman
Recorder: Julius M. Lazok
Financial Secretary: Philip J. Guindon
Treasurer: Harry J. Kay; Conald P. Abler
Lecturer: LeRoy A. Dougall
Advocate: William A. Meggison
Warden: John W. Mahoney
Inside Guard: Ralph W. Maxey; Nick Ricciardi
Outside Guard: Ruben S. Lenoue
Outside Guard: Paul E. Spencer
3-year Trustee: Paul J. Kliebert
2-year Trustee: George L. Reynolds
1-year Trustee: Daniel R. Sanford
1955-1956
Chaplain: Rev. Finbar Hall; Rev. Charles W. Harmon
Grand Knight: Charles D. Spencer
Deputy Grand Knight: Vincent H. Hohman
Chancellor: Richard G. Harris
Recorder: James F. McDonnell; Joseph F. Ingram
Financial Secretary: Philip J. Guindon
Treasurer: Conald P. Abler
Lecturer: Mark T. McDonald; John W. Mahoney
Advocate: Ralph C. Hills
Warden: Paul E. Spencer
Inside Guard: James E. McDonnell, Sr.
Outside Guard: Dennis Hoban; Vincent E. McGucken
Outside Guard: William N. Webber
3-year Trustee: Sylvester J. Schmolder
2-year Trustee: Paul J. Kliebert; William Lally
1-year Trustee: George L. Reynolds
1956-1957
Chaplain: Rev. Thomas McNicholas; Rev. Charles W. Harmon
Grand Knight: Vincent H. Hohman
Deputy Grand Knight: Richard G. Harris
Chancellor: Paul E. Spencer
Recorder: Joseph F. Ingram
Financial Secretary: Philip J. Guindon
Treasurer: Conald P. Abler
Lecturer: Joseph C. Van Dusen
Advocate: John A. Kusters
Warden: Julius M. Lazok
Inside Guard: Ernest Villalobos
Outside Guard: Vincent J. Bondi
Outside Guard: Vincent E. McGucken
3-year Trustee: Thomas E. Gabele
2-year Trustee: Sylvester J. Schmolder
1-year Trustee: Walter W. West
1957-1958
Chaplain: Rev. Charles W. Harmon
Grand Knight: Vincent H. Hohman
Deputy Grand Knight: Joseph Van Dusen
Chancellor: Edward J. Schmolder
Recorder: Patrick D. McConnaughy
Financial Secretary: Philip J. Guindon
Treasurer: Conald P. Abler
Lecturer: Wayne R. Guthrie
Advocate: George S. Koster, Jr.
Warden: Anthony P. Ghilardi
Inside Guard: Joseph F. Ingram
Outside Guard: Gail Jesswein
Outside Guard: Marvin E. Friebel
3-year Trustee: Walter W. West
2-year Trustee: Thomas E. Gabele
1-year Trustee: Sylvester J. Schmolder
Building Co. Pres. Ralph Hills (starting in April)
1958-1959
Chaplain: Rev. Charles W. Harmon
Grand Knight: Joseph C. Van Dusen
Deputy Grand Knight: Anthony Ghilardi
Chancellor: Pat McConnaughy
Recorder: Wayne Guthrie
Financial Secretary: Philip J. Guindon
Treasurer: Joseph Cox
Lecturer: Joe Herrera
Advocate: Julius Lazok
Warden: Irv Knopek
Inside Guard: Richard Kington
Outside Guard: James Hilliard
Outside Guard: William Weiss
3-year Trustee: Joseph Morris
2-year Trustee: Vincent H. Hohman
1-year Trustee:
Building Co. Pres.: Ralph Hills