The 4th Degree of the Knights of Columbus was first considered in the latter part of the 19th century. Shortly after the Order was founded in 1882, at the national convention of 1899, the issue appeared on the docket and was adopted explicitly to embrace patriotism. The ceremonial for the new degree was likewise approved at this convention and the qualifications for an applicant required that he be a member of any council for three years and have served the Order, the Church and the community with distinction. The emblem of the 4th Degree symbolized the primary significance of Catholicism in Catholic American citizenship, and the organization was constitutionalized into assemblies with a special name selected for recognition of each.
The unit called the Annapolis assembly was instituted on July 1, 1919, and became very active under Dan Murphy, Tony Davis and William F. McWilliams. However, after a few years, it was disbanded due primarily to lack of interest. A renewed desire for a revival continued and on November 12, 1957, the unit was reactivated by Walter Gies, a past grand knight of the Annapolis Council and member of Charles Carroll of Carrollton Assembly under the tutelage of the Master of the 4th Degree. James Costello was elected Faithful Navigator. The subsequent heads of the newly activated organization were John Martin, J.P. Brock, T.T. Pantaleo, Joseph Leary, Albert Riley and Walter Gies who, by now, had transferred to the Annapolis Assembly. Frank G. Wiegard, the next in line, realized that many of the members were Navy personnel and eventually would be transferred into councils around the country. Because they retained their membership in this chapter, thereby giving it a naval aspect, application was made and approval granted to change the name from Annapolis assembly to Admiral S. Benson, USN Assembly.
Admiral Benson was the first Chief of Naval Operations from 1915-1919. As a member of the faith, he was the first Catholic to hold this high position. He also belonged to the Annapolis council. He completed his studies at the Naval Academy in 1877 and later was on active service in 1919 at the age of 64. As a convert, he became a devout member of the Church and was the first President of the National Council of Catholic Men, 1921-1925.
We currently draw our membership from eight councils, namely, Annapolis #1384, Archbishop Francis P. Keough #5263, Father Michael J. McGivney #7025, South County #8251 , Our Lady of the Chesapeake #10881, Saint Bernadette Council #11214, Saint Andrew by the Bay #11552, and Commodore Barry #14534. Our monthly meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at alternating councils in Glen Burnie, Annapolis and Odenton.
We have an active Color Corps that appears at installations of officers of the various councils in the Assembly, as well as affairs held by churches under our jurisdiction such as May processions and other seasonal functions as requested, along with community and military events. Our group also stands guard at funeral services conducted for deceased members.
The most impressive assignment of our Color Corps given in its history was the role it played when our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, visited Baltimore on October 5, 1995 while on a special tour of the United States. A contingent from our group participated in the procession from Camden Yards to the Basilica of the Assumption. Later, eleven members stood guard in the ceremonial at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen when the Pope made a heart-warming tribute to the Knights in formation before a group of children.
Another highlight in our annals was the participation of the Color Corps in the golden jubilee Mass honoring the late Father Henry O’Meara, C.S.C.R., in July, 1988 at St. Mary’s in Annapolis. Father O’Meara had been an active member of the Annapolis council for many years and served as Faithful Friar of the Assembly for a long time.
Besides this display of colorful Knighthood embellishing any affair of their participation, our assembly has engaged in opposing any legislation promoting the culture of death that includes abortion, euthanasia, assisted suicide, and any other social evil that has plagued our society. We likewise have opposed attempts to desecrate our flag under the shameful misinterpretation that it is a constitutional right granted by the freedom of speech amendment. In addition to this, we have defended the Church dogma and many of our priest against attacks by the media or any organization which promotes slanderous assaults in pursuit of their anti-Catholic prejudices.
Over and above these projects, our assembly has an impressive record of contributing to many worthwhile charitable causes and programs associated either directly or indirectly with the Church.
