The council was chartered in June 2001 and renamed for Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz’s brother, George, in 2005
Knights of Columbus George S. Kurtz Council 12961 at Holy Family Parish in Seymour celebrated its 25th anniversary with a catered dinner on June 27.
Guests included families and friends of council members, parishioners, and state Knights officers. The council was chartered on June 26, 2001, with 36 members and Tim McIntyre as its first Grand Knight.
On Aug. 28, 2005, Council 12961 was renamed to honor George Kurtz, brother of Knoxville’s second bishop, now-retired Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz. George Kurtz, a Fourth Degree Knight, died on Jan. 27, 2002. Bishop Kurtz presided at the Mass when the council was rededicated in honor of his brother.
A total of 82 guests gathered for the Holy Family Knights of Columbus council’s 25th-anniversary celebration. (Courtesy Kevin Quilliams)
During the 25th-anniversary dinner, charter members of the council were recognized, and a presentation showed how the council consists of members that support four parishes of East Tennessee: Holy Family, Holy Cross in Pigeon Forge, St. Francis of Assisi in Townsend, and St. Mary in Gatlinburg.
The George Kurtz Council now has 96 active members, having merged with the Pigeon Forge council in 2024. Knights in the council totaled more than 4,400 volunteer hours last year and made more than $1,500 in donations this year.
The Knights in Seymour serve as ushers, eucharistic ministers, and readers and assist with CCD, youth-ministry meetings, the liturgy committee, floral arrangements, the choir, and the parish council. Members also support Holy Family events such as Sunday doughnuts and coffee, the parish picnic, Breakfast with Santa, Stations of the Cross, Lenten fish fries, pancake breakfasts, and more.
Holy Family pastor and council chaplain Father Bill McNeeley led the opening prayer at the anniversary dinner. Guests included State Deputy Eric Pelton and wife Melody, state treasurer Alan Stanley and wife Paula, state secretary David Zwissler, state membership director Terry Neuenschwander, and district warden Phil Oakley.
Mr. Pelton during the dinner presented a message from the Supreme Council of the Knights.