The membership of Trinity Council always wanted it’s own place, they could call home. Most often, the sheer lack of money had us rescind from our aspirations. Our fortress at 70 Barrett Drive was a long time in coming. First, a look back.

There is much to gain from a historical perspective with Trinity Council why our own place was important. Like many infant councils our roots began around church facilities. From our inception in July 1958 to March 1973, Holy Trinity Hall was the foremost activity center. The Barn at St. Rita’s also proved invaluable when Holy Trinity was unavailable or provided a more proper setting. This is not to say that these dwellings were inclusive. Many gatherings (dinner meetings) particularly in the early to mid 1960’s took place in many local eating establishments; Andy’s Inn, the Stage Coach Inn, the Heritage House, Happy Acres, too name a few.

It was not until 1967 that the school auditorium at Holy Trinity became a more familiar meeting place. That particular year PGK Tom Seward cooked up a storm and the dinner fee was $1.98! Wow, even though Trinity Council today averages sixty participants for a monthly dinner meeting, I wonder what the average would be for that price!

Trinity Council’s notoriety amongst other local councils and zest for charitable works grew early and often in our first ten years of existence. A second to none, Valentines Day Dance, Oratorical Contest, Boy Scout sponsorship, Communion Breakfasts, Hill Haven, Cartoon shows where the price of admission was canned goods that in turn, went to the Holy Angels Home and Carmelite Monastery. All of these events and much more had our council yearning for it’s own place. The first recognition of the council finding it’s own home dates back to March 1966 when the Doll House Restaurant was looked at on Empire Boulevard. With the council and it’s resources just being seven years young, the price was out of reach.

Attaining the council’s mainstay goals of charity and the eventual realism of our own home meant finding new ways to raise funds. Just like any other good church group, can you spell B-I-N-G-O???? Trinity Council’s first games (with our own license) were October 13, 1967 at the Grange Hall in the village of Webster where they remained until November of 1970 when they moved to Holy Trinity Hall, which had better seating and lighting. With renewed vigor and some  additional funds now, one of the most significant dates in our history is Sunday, March 19th, 1972. On this date, the council members voted and approved to form a Non-Profit Corporation, called the Webster Columbus Center, Inc. Two weeks later at the April 1972 membership meeting the inaugural officers and directors of the Webster Columbus Center were elected. Serving at the helm were President Bill Lochner, Vice-President Dr. Peter Pellittieri, Secretary Robert Stein and Treasurer Ken Blind. Serving as directors were Donald Boehm, Deke Beh, Joe Fox, Bill Wilkerson, Stan Bileschi, Bill Schrieber and Harry Roberts.

The first property that the WCC board sought to obtain was the vacant Methodist Church at 75 W. Main Street in June of 72’. You may be familiar with it, currently housed there is Maria’s Mexican Restaurant. Unfortunately, the board’s bid was topped by a higher one which the owners accepted.

What came next was a flurry of activity as over 1800 council man hours of labor went into remodeling the 1st floor of the Schaeffer Ross Factory building at 82 East Main Street. This included the donation of all of the draperies by our Auxiliary. Notice, I did not build your excitement up more here. Even though it was our own space, it was rental and not owned, yet all of our functionality (meetings, bingo, events, etc.) was now under one roof. The positive side to this temporary abode was the fact that beginning March 1st, 1973 when we opened the doors, through many great social parties, fish fry’s and acts of Columbianism, we grew as a family, in numbers and most of all  camaraderie; or in Knight talk, unity.

The negative side to our space was the age of the building and its amenities. The roof leaked so bad we almost rented the place for catered swim parties. The heating system died, and who would have to pay to get it fixed?? Our rental space also lacked parking, which, due to our council being so popular, on many occasions caused innumerable differences with the landlord, the factory store and the fire marshal. I recently mentioned camaraderie and unity. Still forthright with our original plan, our bonding and perseverance prevailed. On October 14, 1977 the Webster Columbus Center, INC closed on 1.4 acres of land at 70 Barrett Drive. Purchase price was $35,000.

We couldn’t just abandon our temporary abode on Main Street. After all, it would be some time before we opened the doors at our permanent home. Yet a lot of push and shove went on for some time between us and the landlord for building repairs. In the end, we paid for more than our share. Additionally, we had to refurbish the space, because we needed to realize the profits from rentals and catered parties to provide income in support of our permanent home. In the summer of 1978 many dedicated individuals provided an entire new paint job, replaced the ceiling tiles, overhauled the electric, had air conditioning installed, roof leaks patched, windows and floors repaired and cleaned and the driveway potholes received a land-fill. Young and old, charter members and newcomers, all responded; it was the epitome of a sharing experience.

Ethnic parties of every type, Las Vegas Nights, opening the club to the public, all was tried and true in every sense; all in an effort to raise money. For the members themselves, there were loan certificates, outright pledges and bonds. After all, in order to obtain financial backing, we had to prove to any lender that we were indeed going to support the new building. You name it, we did it. Every possible avenue to raise funds for our new home while occupying our rental space at 82 East Main Street, was thought of, and at one time or another exposed, either just to the  membership, or the public. These were trying times for the council, but looking back, an essential time, because we bonded more closely.

While our temporary home had flurries of it’s own activity, there was a building committee, as part of the Webster Columbus Center that was also hard at work.

Ground was broken for our permanent home, December 12th, 1977. The architect for the project was James Fleckenstein and the general contractor was the Cutri brothers from Canandaigua. We should note that these Cutri brothers were fine brother knights also.

Moving forward, much of the inner workings of the WCC board, detailing the struggles and progress of the new building were never published in The Compass, which is what this writer has used for much of his research. Building, financial and member assistance updates were provided in separate mailings to the membership.

As 1981 rolled around, teamwork and pride, laurels that Trinity Council has rested on for so many years came to light again. The majority of the inside of the building was engineered and constructed by the membership in an effort to shave significant cost off of the final bill. There were general coordinators, the master craftsmen, team coordinators, go-phers elite, you name it, we had it. Even amidst the noise and sawdust, our Chaplain, Fr. Paul Cuddy stopped by one day and blessed our new Council venture with holy water and prayers of dedication. A thoughtful and meaningful gesture for all present.

Key dates for the Webster Columbus Center:

December 27, 1981 first rental, wedding reception.
December 29, 1981 first bingo games
December 31st, 1981 first Council event, New Year’s Eve party.
January 7, 1982 First General Membership meeting

When all was said and done, when we were at the end of the road that took us twenty three and a half years to get to, when all we wanted was a huge party (and probably a stiff drink), at the building dedication on February 21st, 1982, we let people from outside of Trinity Council, present at the dedication, do the talking for us.
State Treasurer Augie LoGiudice: " Trinity Council has made a name for itself across the state.

You: folks are dedicated to Christian living.... to a love of God and His people. Your new Columbus Center is like a Light House, a beacon to all who are in darkness and difficulty. There is an invitation here that everyone knows about: 'If you need help, come see us; we're here to help you.'

Jim Ruh, Past State Deputy, one of the best, and long a good friend of Trinity Council: "I recall the first banquet I attended in Webster after becoming State Deputy. Bishop Hogan, also a guest, stated that he was attending just because this Council —— Trinity Council —— was doing something worthwhile and making a difference in this Diocese and in this world." Jim also warmly recalled our Founding Grand Knight, Jim Stein, who got us off the ground, and all the other Past Grand Knights and the Charter Members who are still very involved in Council activities. "You gentlemen personify what the Knights of Columbus is all about. ... the very basics of Catholicity. Congratulations to "all you Knights and Ladies for doing God's work. You will continue to grow in the future !"

State Advocate Tom Hovancik: "Where else but in Webster could such a beautiful get together be taking place in so beautiful a Council home! For two years in a row, this was the Council that merited the Number One Trophy award in all of New York state. You are all a super bunch of guys, dedicated to Church, community, the disadvantaged, family and youth."