Michael Flohr Council (766)  Walla Walla. WA

Michael Flohr Council 766  was organized May 3, 1903 dedicated to the memory of the Very Rev. Michael Flohr, the first pastor of St. Patrick's Church in Wall Walla.  His pastorate, from 1884 to 1906, endeared him to all.

In April 1903 National Organizer Thomas J Gorman came to Walla Walla to organize a council of the Knights of Columbus.  The May 5, 1903 issue of the Walla Walla Union reported: "The lodge will be instituted with a chaarterr membership of 40, the limit fixed by the constitution of the Order is 40 members.  The Walla Walla council will be the third in the state, Seattle and Spokane were organized in the spring of 1902".

A party of 45 knights from Seattle, Portland and Spokane were in the city to assist in the exemplification of the degree work.  State Deputy John F Sullivan of Seattle and State Deputy Benjamin L. Norden of Portland had charge of the degree work.  "The Knights of  Columbus", said Mr. Gorman, "is practically a new order on the coast.  It is less than a year old in the State of Washington, the only council west of the Mississippi.  There are now 100,000 Knights in the United States and I estimate that a third are in the West."

There were a number of inaccuracies in the article but we did have publicity.  James J Gorman was the National Organizer (we had no State Deputy yet) and 40 was the minimum limit aimed for.  The council was actually founded with 35 charter members.  William Dunphy was the first Grand Knight and served for four years.

Members of the council has sponsored a bowling  league for more than 30 years and a Boy Scoput troop since 1925.  In 1945 the council assisted in the re-activation of the Fourth Degree with a class of 22 candidates.

"Century Club" status was attained in 1944 and the council observed its Diamond Jubilee in 1978.