KofC member showing off set of Fourth Degree uniforms

By KENDALL KING, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on October 18, 2021.

Local resident Andy Hamel is sharing a display he constructed which depicts the evolution of Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus uniforms with Catholic churches and assemblies across Alberta.

The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic fraternal organization involved in charity and fundraising projects across the globe. There are numerous degrees within the Knights of Columbus and each degree has a unique uniform.

Hamel, a Fourth Degree Knight and the Master of Southern Alberta Knights of Columbus, told the News that following changes to the Fourth Degree uniform in 2017, he began collecting older versions of the attire.

“I wanted to save it for my kids,” said Hamel. “The Fourth Degree Knights (are) the visible arm of the Knights of Columbus … There’s over 100 years of history.”

What started out as one uniform quickly grew into nine, at which point they were placed in a display for preservation.

The display was briefly situated in Holy Family Parish, but will soon be going on tour throughout the province. Catholic churches in Saskatchewan and British Columbia have also expressed interest in hosting it.

Hamel hopes his display will help share the history of the Knights of Columbus and attract potential new members.