The Knights Of Pythias Fraternal Organization 148th Anniversary

Written by Jenna Grasso and Christy Hinko, farmingdale@antonnews.com Friday, 07 December 2012 00:00

Congressman Peter T. King Presents American Flag

With 40,000 thousand members worldwide, and 18,000 thousand members just in New York alone, the Knights of Pythias is a fraternal organization , that participates in an immeasurable ense amount of charitiescharity, a, as well as raising e money to help organizations, as well as helpingand its members who are in need. This year marks the 148th anniversary of the organization.

The Knights of Pythias was founded in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 19, 1864. Members worldwide are involved in their community. Along with being an international fraternity, it is one based on charity, principle, friendship, and benevolence. The Knights are dedicated to universal peace.

The Knights of Pythias organization is the first fraternity to receive a charter under the act of the Constitution of the United States; approved on May 5, 1870. President Abraham Lincoln investigated the organization and approved of the type of work that this fraternity does. The Knights are involved with charities such as the Diabetes Research Association, researching for a diabetes cure. The Knights have donated more than over $500,000 dollars toward the cause.

Pythian Camp, another organization which the Knights support, with a mission to help send underprivileged children to summer camp, since 1942. Each year, 100 kids are sent to camp.

In the past ten 10 years, the New York chapter has raised over more than $5 milliondollars , which has been used for college scholarships for members’ children, as well as the charities that the organization is involved in.

Notable Pythian Knights: Louis Armstrong, jazz musician; Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black; Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan; Senator Robert Byrd; Supreme Court Justice Benjamin Cardozo; President Warren G. Harding; Vice President Hubert Horatio Humphrey; Freddie Martin, musician, band leader, President William McKinley; Sun Ra, jazz musician, composer, and band leader, Vice President Nelson A. Rockefeller; President Franklin D. Roosevelt; Senator Charles Schumer.  

Some of the most notable Knights of Pythias members on Long Island include Congressman Peter T. King, Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano, New York State Senator Charles J. Fuschillo Jr. and Legislator David Denenberg.

Recently, Congressman King presented an American flag that had flown over the United States Capital and a citation in honor of the 148th Anniversary of the Knights of Pythias.

Michael Horowitz, vice chairman of the Boy Scouts Connection Committee of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York for the Knights of Pythias told Anton Newspapers that the Knights have many exciting local events and activities planned for the anniversary of the organization.

“The first project is the refurbishment of the Peter Woodland Monument in Jersey City; Woodland, a Pythian and Sandhog, built the rail tunnels under the Hudson River back in the 1870s,” said Horowitz. “He gave his life so others would live; the monument is in dire need of repair and this committee will be leading refurbishment project on multistate level.”

Horowitz said a second project would include working on the 150th anniversary projects for 2014. “We can take pride that our fraternal order will be in existence for 150 years,” he said. “In our Pythian family we have groups for teenagers, women and men; we raise money for many charities and organizations.”

Horowitz said that members have lots of fun attending social charitable activities and events, making new friends and getting college and camp scholarships for their families.

The Knights of Pythias is offering free membership to all veterans. For more information contact, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and check out the following websites: www.KOPNY.com or www.Pythias.org. There are lodges all over New York State and the United States.