Our Story
The Order was founded November 7, 1909, at Mobile, Alabama by four priest of St Joseph Society of the Sacred Heart; Fathers Conrad F. Rebesher, John H. Dorsey, Samuel J. Kelly, and Joseph P. Van Baast; and three lay men of the Diocese of Mobile-Messrs Gilbert Faustina, Frank Collins and Frank Trenier who have all now passed to their eternal rewards.
The Order is named after St Peter Claver, a priest from Spain who was a missionary to African slaves in South America. He is believed to have converted over 300,000 to Catholism. The Knights added the Ladies Auxiliary, Junior Knights and Junior Daughters to further open opportunities for African American women, girls and boys.
Today, the Knights of Peter Claver are active in over 400 councils (local chapters) throughout the USA.
THE GOALS OF THE KNIGHTS OF PETER CLAVER
-to support a local pastor, parish and Bishop
-to become active, as a group, in a Knights' respective community
-to instill civic pride and action
-to engage Knights in opportunities that will allow them to demonstrate their Catholicism
-to allow for social interaction by creating gatherings that might foster a sense of community
-to provide for the awarding of scholarships
-to develop the character of youth
-to provide social and intellectual stimulation for its members
Council 127 3rd Degree Knights, 4th Degree Knight and Jr Knight
Inter-council Knights with Knighted Priest members.Fr. Cantillion Council #127, St Columba, est. 1954
To our Founding Charter members of Fr. Cantillion Council #127. We continue to hold the high spirit and brotherhood of the Knights of Peter Claver!
KNIGHTS:
Sidney Fifi Dave Abrams John W Abrams Robert B. Fernandez Peter Joseph
Hohn Martin Henry Royal James Kellum, Jr Milton M. Kibbe Wilfred J. Leblanc
Elsa Luckett Carl A. Martin Alton H. Walker Delmas P. Wilson Kermit R. Wilson
Albert Bryant
Peter Claver, Council #127. The council was first chartered two months earlier on June 27, 1954, as Father Cantillion Council 127, and they became the first initiates of Council 127 at the storied St Columba Church of Oakland, Ca.
From its inception to present day, Council 127 and its members have presented themselves to the support of the Pastor of St Columba, the Archdiocese of Oakland, Ca, service to the St Columba community, guidance and mentoring to the youth, and promote the Catholic teachings of our Faith.
The council order now consists of the Knights, Ladies Auxiliary 127, Jr Knights, Jr Daughters, and the prayerful, faithful Knights and Ladies of the 4th Degree.