Knights of Columbus, Prince of Peace Council 9184

On Oct. 2, 1881, a group of men met in the basement of St. Mary’s Church on Hillhouse Avenue in New Haven. Called together by their 29-year-old parish priest, Father Michael J. McGivney, these men formed a fraternal society that would one day become the world’s largest Catholic family fraternal service organization. They sought strength in solidarity, and security through unity of purpose and devotion to a holy cause: they vowed to be defenders of their country, their families and their faith.These men were bound together by the ideal of Christopher Columbus, the discoverer of the Americas, the one whose hand brought Christianity to the New World. Their efforts came to fruition with the incorporation of the Knights of Columbus on March 29, 1882. They were Knights of Columbus. 

In late summer of 1985, District Deputy Walter Piasio of District 11 in Spartanburg, South Carolina, noticed the rapid growth of Prince of Peace parish in Taylors, South Carolina. He approached Father Paul F. X. Seitz about establishing a new council. Father Seitz enthusiastically embraced the idea and offered the rectory as a meeting place for the organizational meetings. At this point, District Deputy Piasio's first priority was to select a co-chairman who had the potential to be the charter Grand Knight. After much prayer and careful consideration, Deputy Piasio asked Dominick A. Cipollone to be his co-chairman. Deputy Piasio chose well! Dominick was a very active Fourth Degree member of Council 1668; he was also the editor of Council 1668's newsletter and was involved with numerous committees. In addition to his Council duties, Dominick was also very active member of Prince of Peace parish and was the President of the Parish Council. With District Deputy Piasio's guidance and Dominick's determination, the organizational meetings progressed along in no time from a group of men seeking an identity to the nomination of the first slate of officers for the new Council. The first business meeting, because of a lack of a Council home, took place in December 1985 atthe home of the Grand Knight, Dominick A. Cipollone. Thereafter, all business and officer meetings were at various Brother Knights' homes. The First Degree team formed (June, 1986) under the direction of the Grand Knight, Dominick A. Cipollone and Thomas DeFedele chosen as the team captain. The team members were the following: Dominick A. Cipollone, Michael B. Baldwin, Thomas DeFedele, Carl R. Mason, Roger Huncider, John Hunckler and Bill McMahon.