The 1st Wednesday of the month at 7:30pm is the Officers Meeting. The Regular Business Meeting is the 3rd Wednesday of the Month at 8:00pm. Must be a Knight in good standing to attend.

   For a complete history of the Knights of Columbus & more! Please toggle the "Knights of Columbus" link at the bottom of the page.

   In 1909, an industrialist named Henry Ford purchased 160 acres in the village of Highland Park, in which he intended to produce Ford automobiles. Thus, when Ford's plant opened, industry poured into Highland Park and so did a substantial work-force.
   Authorization to construct St. Benedict's Church was given by Bishop Foley in 1916 and building operations began in 1917. Construction continued under the guidance of Fr. F.X Hally.
   Wiliam Storen, one of the founding parishioners of St. Benedict's, was a prominent business man, a staunch Catholic and a lover of mankind. On March 11, 1917 a meeting was held, with the cooperation of Fr. Hally, for all men interested in forming a charter of the Knights of Columbus.
   A decision was made and on May 13, 1917 the Highland park Council #1874 received its charter, with William Storen elected as the Council's first Grand Knight. This was the second Knights of Columbus charter for Detroit. The first Knights of Columbus was Detroit Council #305, which received its charter on February 13, 1898.
   For the next two years, following Council #1874 receiving its charter, the Council rented quarters at the Southwest corner of Woodward and Buena Vista. Then, in 1919, an old home on the West side of Woodward between Avalon and Buena Vista was purchased and renovated.
   The Council's new home consisted of showers in the basement, a first floor recreation area, a meeting room on the second floor and janitors quarters occupied the third floor. During the next few years, by God's grace, membership increased and in 1923, the mortgage was burned.
   Unfortunately, in 1929, a loan against the building was made to pay off various charitable commitments. Black Tuesday in October of 1929 did not happen yet and at that time, the Council was approximately 900 members strong!
   When the Depression struck, Henry Ford moved the production facility to River Rouge, forcing many of the Knights to relocate. This caused membership rolls to drop to less than 200 members! As a result, in 1936, the Council could not meet its mortgage payments and the bank foreclosed.
   From the Council's lost home on Woodward, residence was taken up in the basement of St. Vianny's Church. There, the Council operated until World War II.
   During the war years, Council #1874 moved to a small building on Hamilton, near Glendale. From there, moved back to its original home on the corner of Woodward and Buena Vista.
   When the war ended, a new building was planned, property was purchased and in in 1950, a new Council home was built at JohnR near Lantz. Renewed interest in Council #1874 increased and membership grew!
   Beginning in 1955, meetings were held and plans were drawn to expand the Council building. On April 13, 1957 ground was broke and the 6900 sq. ft. addition was completed in the fall of the same year!
   Also, in March of 1957, since the Council was no longer in Highland Park, meetings took place to consider a new name. After much discussion and prayer, a vote was taken and from that day on, the Council shall hence forth be known as Father James W. Cotter Council #1874.
   Father Cotter was a parish priest at St. Rita's Parish until his passing in 1954. Father would always be remembered as a builder of churches, schools and most important of all, souls! Our Council is proud to bear the name of one of God's most humblest servants!
   From 1957 to 1967, Fr. Cotter Council experienced a boon, unparalleled since its conception! In 1967 when the Council celebrated its 50th Anniversary, 58 new members came into our ranks! Within that ten year span, once again, the building mortgage was burned.
   By the late 1970's, the neighborhood surrounding the Council was in decline. Members were moving to the suburbs in droves. The early 1980's witnessed a steady membership decline and in 1987, the Council building was sold.
   In 1991, our current Council building was purchased. In the year 2000, due to the dedication and prayers of the countless Brother Knights and our Council friends, we have again burned our building mortgage.
  

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