For over forty years the Knights of Columbus have served the members of St. Ann Catholic Church of Warsaw as well as the Warsaw community.
Established in 1984, the Jay Harris Council #8620 has been committed to helping others. The Knights take their convictions and turn them into action.
Current Grand Knight David Grimes said that the Knights consider themselves as the right hand of the St. Ann priest. “Our duty is to assist our parish in any way they need,” said Grimes.
One of the main events for the Knights is their Friday night Fish Fry events throughout the season of Lent. After Lent, they continue with the Fish Fry on Friday once a month.
The Knights also sponsor Texas Hold ‘Em poker nights, as well as cornhole tournaments.
Of course, the Knights of Columbus building located on Wildcat Drive is also available for rental for family reunions, weddings and other special events.
Another big event for the Knights is the Monster Shrimp Boil in November. All of these events help the Knights raise money to give to local charities such as the Benton County and the Cole Camp Food Pantries. They also donate to the Special Olympics. Scholarships are also offered to children and grandchildren of members of the Knights of Columbus.
The Knights also help young men who want to become priests.
“We basically raise money to give away,” said Grimes.
In addition to raising money, the Knights also cook and serve Christmas Dinner on Christmas Day for anyone who wants to attend. The meal is free to all who want to come.
The Knights also sponsor a memorial Mass for deceased members. Family members of the deceased are invited for a service and dinner on Fat Tuesday of every year.
The Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary assists the Knights in charitable efforts like helping put on the Lenten Fish Fry's, Shrimp Boil, Deceased Members Mass and other fundraisers. They also help in keeping the Knights Hall clean and decorated for events held there and at the church.
The Ladies Auxiliary meets every 2nd Wednesday of the month at 6:00 PM at the Knights of Columbus Hall.
Originally from Poplar Bluff, MO, Grimes and his wife moved to Warsaw to be closer to their children who live in the Kansas City area and in Iowa.
Grimes served as a railroad engineer for 40 years while raising his three children with his wife.
“I didn’t have much time for volunteer work while I was working," he said. "So I decided that I would dedicate my retirement years to giving back as well as fishing and hunting.”
The Knights of Columbus in Warsaw was established by Jay Harris who came to Warsaw after he retired from the Kansas City Fire Department. Being a Knight in Kansas City, Harris wanted to establish a council in Warsaw when he became a member of St. Ann Catholic Church in Warsaw. The first council was made up of 37 Catholic men. During this time all final requirements for forming the council, Harris passed away while attending mass on Saturday evening, February 4, 1984. He was 48 years old at the time of his death.
The application received final approval and the council was officially formed on March 23, 1984, under the name of Jay Harris Council.
The Jay Harris Council was very active within St. Ann Parish. Knights were heavily involved in building a hall next to the church. This facility served both the church membership and the Knight’s activities.
The Council received an International Church Activities Award for 1996-97. At the international meeting in Montreal, Canada, past Grand Knight Joe DeKeyser, Jr. accepted the Church Activities Award to the Council for its participation in the building of St. Ann Church, located in Warsaw on the Dam Access Road.
The church building chairperson Norm Herndon said, the brother Knights donated over 10,000-man hours during the 1996-97 year. Without the help of the brother Knights, the job could not have been completed.
Steve Garcia was the Grand Knight at that time period and was in charge of building the Parish Hall
Jay Harris Council was in competition with councils from all over the world for this award.
Founded on the principles of charity, unity and fraternity, the Knights of Columbus was established in 1882 by Father Michael J. McGivney, assistant pastor of St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Connecticut and a group of parishioners. Their intent was to bring financial aid and assistance to the sick, disabled and needy members and their families. Today, Father McGivney is being considered for sainthood.
The Knights are Catholic men who lead, serve, protect and defend. They share a desire to be better husbands, fathers, sons, neighbors and role models and to put charity and community first.
