Supreme Convention Moved? This Isn’t the First Time

This year’s virtual convention is a first — but the Knights’ convention has adapted before, due to wartime troubles and a fight for equal rights

The Knights of Columbus Supreme Convention is a time when Knights from all over the world gather to acknowledge the charitable work done in the previous fraternal year, while announcing initiatives for the year ahead.

Originally, this year’s convention was scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C., but in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, plans were adapted to adhere to federal and state health guidelines. But no pandemic can stop the Knights from connecting with their brothers — even if they have to do it in the virtual sphere.

It might be the first time that the convention is held virtually, but it’s not the first time the Knights of Columbus convention had to be moved.

In 1945, the 63rd Supreme Convention opened in Montreal. Halfway through the events, due to “war emergency requirements,” it had to be moved. World War II had recently ended and Canada was still reeling from its wartime rationing. The Knights decided to move their meeting to Plattsburg, N.Y. — nearly 65 miles away.

Merritt Spear, mayor of Plattsburgh, welcomed the Knights and made City Hall available for the Knights of Columbus’ convention. Meanwhile, hotels and restaurants “stretched their accommodations to the limit” as “300 unexpected guests drop in for lunch, stay for dinner and even linger for a late at-night snack,” according to Columbia.

“This 63rd annual Supreme Council meeting will long be remembered by the delegates as the occasion upon which they enjoyed the unprecedented distinction for being welcomed to two cities and two countries,” said the newly elected supreme knight, John Swift.

Nearly 20 years later, the Supreme Convention almost moved again, not because of a war but because of racism at the hotel in the host city. The 82nd Supreme Convention was scheduled to be held at the Roosevelt Hotel in New Orleans. When then-Supreme Knight John W. McDevitt heard that the hotel was segregated and prohibited blacks from certain areas of the hotel, he immediately threatened to move the convention to another hotel. The Roosevelt Hotel integrated that day.

Since then, the conventions have taken place at their planned locations — that is, until this year.

This year, the convention will take place from Aug. 4-5 — and will be livestreamed from kofc.org/convention. You can also follow our Twitter, Instagram and Facebook accounts for a close-up look at everything that’s going on.

Learn more about the history behind K of C events in the recently published The Knights of Columbus: An Illustrated History.

Originally published in a weekly edition of Knightline, a resource for K of C leaders and members. To share your K of C story, email knightline@kofc.org.