Knights of Columbus, Father Thomas J. F. Ryan Coucil, #5036 was formed in The Resurrection of Our Lord parish, in the City of Philadelphia, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on November 13, 1960.
A small group of knights transferred from other local Knights of Columbus councils to join the newly—formed council, but most of the charter members were new initiates into the Order.
At the time, Luke Hart was the Supreme Knight, Warren F. O'Donnell, Pennsylvania State Deputy, and Frank P. White, Sr. (Past Grand Knight of Assumpta Council 3885) was District Deputy of the 7th district.
Rev. Joseph L. Curran, the fourth Pastor of Resurrection Church (1946-1970), and a member of the Knights of Columbus, encouraged the formation of the council.
Council 5036 was named in honor of the Reverend Thomas J. F. Ryan, the third pastor of Resurrection from April 24, 1934 to May 8, 1946.
The Philadelphia Archdiocese was between Archbishops on November 13, 1960. His Eminence John Cardinal O'Hara, C.S.C. passed away on August 28, 1960 and His Eminence John Cardinal Krol , D.D., J.C.D. was promoted to Archbishop of Philadelphia on February 11, 1961. He was installed on March 23, 1961.
His Holiness Pope John XXIII reigned as Vicar of Christ.
The President—Elect of the United States was Brother-Knight John F. Kennedy.
David L. Lawrence was Governor of Pennsylvania and Richardson Dilworth was Mayor of Philadelphia.
Edward Urban was appointed the first Grand Knight of Father Thomas J. F. Ryan Council 5036. The Business meetings were held in the Resurrection Parish School Hall on the first and third Sundays of each month. The early meetings were exciting and well attended which laid the groundwork for a successful council.
On one ocassion an animated discussion of ideas arose about the newly formed council. Brother Sam Jolley jumped up, yanked off his coat, heaved it onto the floor and yelled, "Brothers! we are pouring the cement!" And yes, we did pour the cement of our council foundation, and apparently a good solid foundation. By 1985, Father Ryan Council 5036 grew to a strength of 300 members.
The present day Council Home at 9090 Old Bustleton Avenue, just down the street from Maternity B.V.M parish, was purchased in 1966 and the council moved here from Resurrection. The first business meeting was held at the new location in January 1967.
Today, Father Ryan Council supports three local parishes. The Resurrection of Our Lord, Castor Gardens (History Resso); Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Bustleton (History B.V.M.); and St. Cecilia, Fox Chase (History St. C). (The altar boy in the 1954 cornerstone photo is PGK Will Schmitt).
Resurrection parish was formed on April 11, 1928 with 110 families from St. Cecilia, St. Martin of Tours, and Maternity B.V.M.
From its inception, Father Ryan Council has been an active council in every phase of Columbianism. The Ladies Auxiliary, formed shortly after the council, have been loyal and faithful for a quarter of a century. Father Thomas J. F. Ryan Squire Circle 1447 was instituted on Sept. 10, 1965.
A publication named "The Banner" was started by the Squire Circle in 1962 (SIC). The Council assumed editorship and publication in 1964. Publication of The Banner was under the editorialship of Brother Herb Marizzy until June 2017. Brother Herb also started a website for the council. In March of 2018 publication of the Banner Newsletter and the Father Ryan website were revived by Brother William Schmitt. Brother Tom Sims became editor of the Banner in September 2019. Brother Will Schmitt is our Webmaster and can be reached at WAJSCHMITT@GMAIL.COM
(Excerpts reprinted from a 1985 work by Salvatore A. Basile, PGK)