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Council History
Florentine Council No. 304 was founded on Sunday, February 16, 1898.
66 Charter Members were confirmed the three Degrees of the order in Poughkeepsie. Thus was Florentine Council formed. J.A. Lamb, the local attorney, was credited with suggesting that for Poughkeepsie. John J. Mylod was the first Grand Knight.
The council is named after sister Mary Florentine Gallagher, a sister of Charity, who taught boys in Saint Peters Parochial school in Poughkeepsie for over 25 years. Florentine council is distinguished for having been the first council in the order to build its own home. As the first council in Dutchess County, Florentine has been instrumental in the organization of many of the council’s in the Hudson River and Harlem Valleys, and also the Hudson valley chapter of the Knights of Columbus.
Florentine was honored in 1960 Passed Grand Knight John M. McGowen was elected State Warden. The charity of the Knights of Florentine council has served the people of Dutchess County. Substantial contributions have been made to the local hospitals. Contributions are Florentine council made Memorial Field, now Stitzle Field, one of the city’s finest Parks possible. Over the years countless children attended Florentines annual children’s Christmas party and played on the Florentine sponsored little league team. The council’s original home was situated on Washington Street. In 1945, the council purchased 300 Mill Street. This was sold to the city nine years later to be demolished and used for a parking lot. Subsequently, the council purchased the former J. Rigney Ward property at 242 Church Street. This was acquired by the archdiocese of New York in 1987.
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