Review of the KSC's 20th Century Achievements

1919   Formation of the Knights of Saint Columba; on 5th October 1919, at the Central Halls, Bath Street, Glasgow.

1920   The Order expands into England with the first Council being erected in Liverpool.

1923   Launch of the Columba Magazine.

1926   Knights instigate the 'Roman Catholic Relief Act' abolishing many of the anti-catholic clauses of the Penal Laws.

1926   Inauguration of a Squires Section of the KSC.

1927   Establishment of 'Widows and Orphans Scheme' to provide financial support for the dependants of deceased Members.

1927   Daily Mass Crusade for all Knights of St Columba Councils initiated.

1932   Participation of 2000 Knights at the 31st Eucharistic Congress in Dublin

1936   First Annual Pilgrimage to Iona.

1938   10,000 Knights take part in the 'Silent March' against Atheism and Communism, in London.

1939   The establishment of 'Hostels for the Forces' in London, Glasgow, Liverpool, Birmingham,      Llandudno and Malta.

1947   Opening of the International KSC Residential Club in London.

1948   Opening of St John's Hostel for boys in Leeds. 

1950   Stewarding of the celebrations, marking the centenary of the restoration   of the Hierarchy of England, held at Wembley Stadium.

1952   KSC participation in the Catholic Initiative for 'Self-Help Building'

1954   500th Council erected at Cockfosters, London.

1950   Establishment of the National Holy Week poster campaign

1959   The 'Quiet Campaign' leading to the amendment of the Obscene Publ. Act.

1963   Involvement in the 'Freedom from Hunger' campaign

1966   Italian Floods Relief campaign

1967   Introduction of National Christmas poster campaign

1969   The Golden Jubilee of the Knights of St Columba

1979   The Order's celebrates its Diamond Jubilee

1980   Purchase of the Jumbalance for Across Trust

1980   Italian Earthquake Relief Project

1982   Stewarding of Pope John Paul 11 visit to Britain

1983   Dedication of the Knights' own St Columba Chapel in Liverpool Cathedral

1984   National distribution of the KSC's "Parents and Drugs" awareness booklet

1988   Support for disabled children's Orthopedic Limb Centre in Ghana 

1991   Donation of baby resuscitation units to UK hospitals

1998   'Wells for Water' Jubilee campaign

In order to highlight some of the Knights of St Columba's achievements in the 20th Century, extracts have been taken from Columba magazines; dating from the first issue in June 1923, to the present day.  Such achievements, limited only by space, will provide readers with an insight to the mission of the Order and the ongoing programmes undertaken by the Knights of St Columba. Future generations of Knights will hopefully look upon these achievements as a challenge and build on them in the 21st Century.