The following history of Council 3571 has been culled from recent articles that have appeared in Knightline as written by John J. Whalen and Frank Ituarte.
The year 2002 marks the 50th Anniversary of the Msgr. Corr Council of the Knights of Columbus. The charter was recorded at Supreme in New Haven, CT, on October 30, 1952 as the institution (then) of the Altadena Council number 3571.
Many members of the charter class were products of the local parish Chi Rho and young adult clubs including the St. Elizabeth Corr Club. Eventually, the new council would also adopt the Corr moniker in honor of the former pastor who accomplished so much in Altadena including the creation of the Shrine modeled after the original of Lourdes, France.
Many members of the Pasadena Council were instrumental in the formation of the new council including many fathers who had sons in the Altadena area including Harry Whalen, John Caufield, Tom Foley, Gordon Westlake, Al Tomek, John Roney, and many more. Clyde Hinckley and Bill Collins of the Pasadena Council were two of the key movers and shakers in the creation of the new council, and they became the Altadena Council's first Grand Knight and financial secretary respectively.
Initial meetings were lively, and they were conducted strictly adhering to formal procedure with members in appropriate dress. Lively social sessions followed each meeting. Meetings of the officers were conducted in the home of a member, whereas the general membership meetings were held in the American Legion Hall on Lake Street for the first few years. Many special activities and social gatherings were also held at the American Legion Hall. Larger events, such as St. Patrick's Day and Columbus Day dances were held at the Elks Club or the Altadena Town and Country Club. Eventually, the council moved its meetings from the Eagles Hall in Altadena to the American Legion a couple of times prior to making its final move to what is now Msgr. Crean Hall at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Pasadena.
The charter Chaplain was Fr. Cyril Kelleher (deceased), a Capuchin Franciscan, who worked at St. Francis High School as a teacher and principal. After being transferred to head a new monastery at the San Lorenzo Seminary in the Santa Ynez Valley, Fr. Cyril requested help from the council to install a new flag pole for the monastery. The welding, concrete and brick laying, and installation of the pole was all completed by Knights in the council and supervised by Ludwig Freisis. Seb Lamonica, in his role as financial secretary, was also instrumental in the success of this project.
The barbeque pit in the Grotto of St. Elizabeth's is also a product of Council 3571. It was originally built by Bill Caufield, Nick Magnano, and Frank Ituarte from used bricks from the demolished Wally's Pharmacy that used to be at the corner of Woodbury and Los Robles. The site had to be moved to the Grotto after the original church property (Kirsch) on which it was built was sold. The iron cover was also constructed by Knights of the council.
The council's association with Rancho San Antonio can be traced to the early days of the council when brother Knights would cook, serve, and clean up for a day or two in the annual Boys Town of the West BBQ. This involvement with youth eventually led to the creation of the Pro Deo Et Patria Award (for God and Country) which is still given to select graduating seniors of local Catholic high schools. The first of these awards was handed out by Grand Knight John Whalen at St. Francis High School. Others who worked on the award project were: Bill Caufield, Leon Bodureau, and Lupe Macias. Robert Crean created many of the wooden plaques in his home woodshop. Some of the original plaques can still be seen in local Catholic high schools.
The council has participated in a wide variety of activities to raise funds to support its philanthropic endeavors. One of the more unique activities was the brief association with a traveling circus! In exchange for loaning the council's name as a sponsor and providing office space, phones, and a ticket delivery service, the circus would share the profits with the council. Although no one is sure how much, if any, this particular project made for the council, it was definitely a unique experience.
Grand Knight Caufield obtained the use of the St. Francis football field for the staging ground for the tents and the housing of the elephants. Complaints from neighbors forced the circus to relocate to the Albertson's parking lot in Altadena the next year. The circus became the nucleus for the Circus Circus Hotel in present day Las Vegas, NV.
Much of the history of the council since its move to A.B.V.M. Church has not been recorded. Any accurate information that can be provided will be added to this website. Please contact the webmaster with any relevant information.