About Council 869

Our History
On February 2, 1882, Father Michael McGivney, at the age of 29, called a small group of Catholic men in New Haven, Connecticut to a meeting to form a Catholic organization to unite all Catholic men and to provide for their families. On March 29, 1882, Father McGivney’s idea became a fraternal organization called the Knights of Columbus.

The Knights of Columbus was twenty-two years old when a small group of Catholic laymen met in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to organize a Council. On April 10, 1904, the Harrisburg Council was chartered and Martin Malone was elected as the 1st Grand Knight (1904-1907). Holy Rosary Council 869 was chartered at 204 North 2nd Street in the presence of fifty new Knights. In 1921, as the membership grew, Council 869 purchased a building on State Street across the street from St. Patrick’s Cathedral where the Council remained until 1973.

The Council functioned without a home from 1973 until 1976. Council meetings were held at St. Margaret Mary’s Youth Center at the invitation of Rev. Matthew Casey, Council Chaplain and Pastor of the church.

In 1976, the Council purchased our present home, the old Paxtonia Firehouse at 145 Peach Street. The Council engages in many charitable, religious, fraternal, and social activities. Catholic men aged 18 years and older are invited to join more than 400 members of the Holy Rosary Council in the Harrisburg area.