Our History

The Detroit Court of the Knights of Equity was founded in 1895 and

received their charter in 1896. At that time the city had a population of

250,000, with a diverse ethnic background. The Irish mostly lived in the

area known as Corktown, in the Southwest part of the city, near Most Holy

Trinity Catholic Church. The first record we have of a social function by the

Knights was a banquet in 1903 where Supreme Knight James Madigan of

Ohio gave the main address.

In 1910, the club purchased a building at Second Avenue and Fort

Street for $32,000. The membership, during this period, was about 250

and mainly consisted of businessmen and city workers.

They continued to prosper into the “Roaring Twenties” and

membership increased to over 300. In 1924, the membership elected to

give their building and meeting hall, then valued at over $250,000, to the

University of Detroit. To understand why this group of mostly middle-class

Irishmen would give a gift of this size, you need to know that with the Irish

people, education has been uppermost important from their earliest history.

Since the sixth century, Ireland’s schools have been open to both men and

women and educating hundreds of thousands of students every year.

During the “Dark Ages”, following the collapse of the Roman Empire, it was

Ireland that sent scholars to educate people on the continent. Later, when

enemy law denied education to the Irish, Hedge School Masters assumed

the teaching role.

In 1924, the University of Detroit, under the direction of the Very

Reverend John McNichols, S.J., was expanding from the downtown

location to the Livernois – Six Mile area to meet the needs of a growing

city. The Knights of Equity, after due consideration, presented their

clubhouse to the University in exchange for 24 on-going scholarships to the

University.

The passage of time has altered the scholarship program, but over

the years approximately 600 students have benefitted from it, as well as the

community and county. It is estimated that tuition benefits of over $1

million dollars have gone to the scholarship recipients over the past 97

years, all thanks to the generous foresight of that group of Knights in 1924,

and the program continues today.

Following the donation of their home, the Knights met in the halls of

other organizations. Members began moving away from the center city,

causing a decline in membership. By 1933, however, amid the Great

Depression, many of the Irish realized the need for the Knights again.

During that trying period, hundreds of Irish men received jobs through the

help of the organization.

In the early 40s, the Knights set aside 10% of all income for a new

building fund. In 1948, the membership had grown to 350. By 1952, the

fund was large enough to select a site and a new hall was erected on

Fenkell Avenue in Detroit. The clubhouse provided a location where

members could feel at home. Meetings often lasted well into the night, with

card games, ping pong, music, and conversation. In 1953, when Court 6

opened their new home on Fenkell Ave., seven years in a row the governor

of Michigan, G. Mennen Williams stopped by the hall & led an Irish Square

Dance on St. Patrick’s Day. During this period, the K of E created

scholarships at the local parish high school that lasted until the school

closed in 1971.

Nothing lasts forever, and by 1972 new freeway construction

removed thousands of homes from the city and the Fenkell Avenue Hall

was sold. The membership changed, with the younger members taking

over key offices. They sponsored baseball teams and filled the trophy case

with awards. The club has been very active over the years in the annual

St. Patrick’s Day Parade and won the prize for best float many times. The

K of E played a major role in the formation of The United Irish Societies, the

organization that oversees Detroit’s St. Patrick’s Parade.

After Fenkell, Court 6 also owned clubhouses on Schoolcraft Avenue

in Detroit, and later Dix Avenue in Lincoln Park. Currently Court 6 meets

on the second Thursday of the month at the AOH Hall on Five Mile in

Redford.

Through the years, the significant benefit of being a member of the

Knights of Equity has been many friendships, the many social and religious

experiences, and the advancement of the knowledge of our Irish and

Catholic heritage.

The Daughters of Erin

It all began for the Daughters of Erin in October 1954 at the Knights of Equity Convention in Rochester New York

After the aims and objectives were presented, discussed and tabled, it wasn’t until October 1960 that the Organization was fully approved by the Knights of Equity

Many thanks to the women who held steadfast, and were determined that their voices be heard and recognized

Today, three generations later, we are still committed to the ideals of the 1954 delegation. We aid the Knights, participate in Catholic action, contribute to charity and foster Americanism.

A special note of thanks to Mrs. Julia Dean our first president, Mrs. Jeaneen Walker, our current president, and all the women in between,

Keep the fire going.