The Father DeNisco Council was instituted on May 25, 1954. William D. Abert and Harry Kachline from Union Council No. 345 were responsible for most of the early planning. Preliminary meetings were held at Our Lady of Good Council Church Hall, Bangor.
Fr. DeNisco Council #3862 - History
(Seated - left to right) Pasquale Vicario, Carl A.Zegalia, Dr.Anthony Baratta, Rev. Charles Sweeney, C.M, Matthew Giovannini, Dr. Leonard Rushin, Albert Hunt (Standing) Anthony Sabia, Guido Morfesi, Walter Grosskopf, Albert Paolini, Pat Tepoli, Michael Goffredo, Ralph Stampone
Dr. Leonard Rushin was elected the first Grand Knight and it was under his direction that a committee was chosen to select a name suitable for the Slate Belt Area Knights of Columbus. After several meetings, the Council was named in honor of Father DeNisco. (Father DeNisco was the first pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Roseto and an active leader in the area).
As time passed, meetings were held in the local parish halls, but it was evident that a home was needed to derive the full benefit from the Knights of Columbus program.
And so, with the blessing of God in answering our prayers, we were able to dedicate our new Home on October 9, 1966. The main speaker for the dedication was Dr. John H. Griffin, then Supreme Physician, and Monsignor Agnello J. Angelini offered the blessing and benediction. Serving the Council as Grand Knight was Domenick C. Falcone.
In 1995, under the direction of Thomas Bavaria and with the help of Chaplain, Father Robert Swain, a memorial to all unborn children who were victims of abortion was erected in front of the council home.
The monument, a large slate cemented in a concrete base, was built in front of the council home on West Bangor Road. The slate was donated by Anthony Dally and Sons and installed by contractor Robert Bond. Landscaping was donated by Robert Castelletti and several volunteers. More than 80 persons attended the dedication.
The home has always been an asset to the community in that it is available to the Catholic churches and schools of the Slate Belt area for their affairs and also to the public for rentals for weddings and other private affairs.
Please see the "Hall Rental" section of our website for more information about rentals.
In 2008, the rental hall was dedicated to Anthony Capozzolo for his support to the Knights of Columbus throughout his life. He was instrumental in the construction of the Council Home, lake and Christ the King Shrine.
The use of the home has expanded over the years to include all the Council's and Ladies Auxiliary's meetings and activities such as ceremonial degrees, religious processions, annual dinner dance, community Easter egg hunt and the ever popular Fall and Spring spaghetti dinners held on the second Sundays of October and March, respectively.