With the dawning of the 1960's, Columbianism in the metropolitan Washington area was growing by leaps and bounds. Nowhere was this more evident than in the once rural area of Montgomery County. The Little towns of Rockville and Gaithersburg were now becoming fair sized cities and the suburban areas of Bethesda and Silver Spring were becoming populated at a fast pace. The Sir Knights of Father Rosensteel, Montgomery, Rock Creek and Great Falls Councils were beginning to give serious consideration to the formation of an Assembly to exemplify this intracounty unity that was now pulling them away from their long standing association with the existing Washington Assembly in the District.

The driving force for this new Assembly was Former State Secretary, Leo G. Koepfle, Past Grand Knight of Father Rosensteel Council. At the first Organizational Meeting on September 12, 1962, twenty-one Sir Knights sat to create various committees. A Committee chaired by Sir Knight Charles O'Hara, Past Grand Knight of Rock Creek Council, presented their proposal at the October 12, 1962 meeting that the Assembly be officially organized as the "Archbishop Patrick A. O'Boyle General Assembly" His Excellency, Most Reverend Patrick A. O'Boyle, Archbishop of Washington, D. C. and Sir Knight, gave his blessing to this new Assembly as well as his permission for the Assembly to use his name. The Supreme Board authorized using the name of a living person.

On Sunday afternoon, December 16, 1962, Archbishop Patrick A. O'Boyle General Assembly #386 was officially instituted at Father Rosensteel Council by the Worthy Master of the Washington District, Earl G. Dressier, Ph.D. The Assembly Charter cites membership from councils 2169 in Forest Glen, 2323 in Rockville, 2797 in Bethesda and 3022 in Glen Echo. There were ninety-six member Sir Knights in attendance as well as representatives from Washington, Commodore Barry and Archbishop Curley Assemblies. The Assembly's first Officers were installed:

Faithful Friar Rev. Msgr. W. Joyce Russell
Faithful Navigator Leo G. Koepfle
Faithful Captain Roy B. Pope
Faithful Admiral Charles E. O'Hara
Faithful Pilot Dr. Frank E. Parker
Faithful Comptroller James J. Dugan
Faithful Purser Bradley B. Smith
Faithful Scribe William R. Patterson
Faithful Inner Sentinel Richard C. Augello
Faithful Outer Sentinel Francis E. Garritty

In accordance with the written expression of His Excellency Archbishop O'Boyle, the Rt. Rev. Monsignor W. Joyce Russell, Pastor of St. Catherine Laboure Church in Wheaten, was appointed Faithful Friar of the Assembly.

The 1960's saw the formation of the many programs that would sustain the Assembly throughout the next twenty-six years of operation. During these formative years, the following Sir Knights received from the membership the honor of setting the direction of the Assembly as Faithful Navigators:

1963-64 Leo G. Koepfle
1964-65 Charles E. O'Hara
1965-66 Ray B. Pope
1966-67 Joseph Mauro
1967-68 Bradley B. Smith
1968-69 Alfred J. Tighe, Jr.
1969-70 Francis J. Ward

Within six months of institution, Archbishop O'Boyle Assembly had a membership of two hundred Sir Knights. With its foundations now established, the programs of the Assembly began to take shape. In promotion of our Country's flag and pledge, the Assembly placed framed copies of the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag in every classroom of all Catholic schools in Montgomery County. The Assembly was cited by the Montgomery County Council for these actions. The Assembly would also begin a program to honor the flag by placing ad promotions in the various metropolitan newspapers.

The Assembly also began a program of placing Catholic magazines in suburban hospitals for use by the patients.

The Assembly's first major undertaking was the establishment of an annual patriotic essay contest. The first contest concerned the history of the United States Flag. Eligibility for this contest was and is limited to Catholic school students in the seventh and eighth grades. Prizes to the winners are in the form of United States Savings Bonds.

The Assembly also began awards to Catholic High School students in the form of engraved gold medals for best exemplification of the ideals of patriotism.

For our Catholic students in college, the Assembly responded to a request by Bishop Phillip Hannan and gave a sum of $1,000,00 toward the building of the Newman Center at the University of Maryland.

Throughout the 1960's, Archbishop O'Boyle Assembly became even more involved in assisting their Archbishop throughout the Archdiocese. The Assembly and its Color Corps was most active in the John F. Kennedy Memorial Mass at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception as well as the annual Memorial Day Mass at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Wheaton and the annual Labor Day Mass. The Color Corps stood as guard of honor for Archbishop O'Boyle at the dedication of Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring. The Color Corps also participated in the 150th Anniversary of St. Mary's Church in Rockville as well as the annual "Pound Party" sponsored by the Little Sisters of the Poor in Washington.

The Assembly also sought to help the Archbishop by helping our newly ordained priests. As with many Assemblies, Archbishop O'Boyle Assembly has annually donated a Memorial Chalice to a newly ordained priest in memory of our deceased Sir Knights. The first Chalice was donated to Reverend Francis Gonzales, S.F., in memory of Dr. Frank E. Parker.

The exemplification of patriotism by this Assembly has been shown by our annual participation in the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Veteran's Day Observance by both presence of the Color Corps as well as a wreath placed at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase War Memorial.

The Assembly also participated in the Centennial of the Battle of Gettysburg, the blessing and dedication of the bells of the "Knights Tower" at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the Centennial of Arlington National Cemetery and the annual celebration at the Columbus Monument at Union Station on Columbus Day.

The late 1960's brought many changes to the Assembly. In 1967, Archbishop Patrick A. O'Boyle was elevated by His Holiness Pope Paul VI to a "Prince of the Church". Archbishop O'Boyle Assembly now became Cardinal O'Boyle Assembly; and at the invitation of His Eminence, the Assembly joined Washington Assembly in the Usher's Program at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

In late 1969, the Supreme Board of Directors approved the creation of the Second Maryland District to incorporate the boundaries of the Archdiocese of Washington.

The 1970's saw a wonderful group of men step forward to assume the leadership of this young but accomplished Assembly. The Faithful Navigators of the 1970's were as follows:

1970-71 Charles F. Fridrich
1971-72 John E. Staskus
1972-73 Leonard J. Stone
1973-74 Vero R. Corso
1974-75 Anthony P. Bellissimo
1975-76 John J. Kobak
1976-77 Guy V. Bellia
1977-78 Anthony J. Wilk, Ph.D.
1978-79 G. Robert Giacalone
1979-80 Richard E. Keating

That year also saw the official establishment of what was becoming a common event at Archdiocesan events, the cooperation between the Knights of Columbus and the Knights of St. John. This relationship was created by the wishes of Cardinal O'Boyle and the insistence of both Cardinal O'Boyle and Washington Assemblies.

These two Assemblies would have a long history of cooperation with each other, including some seven joint Installations of Officers over the next ten years.

A number of milestones would be reached by Cardinal O'Boyle Assembly in the 1970's. In 1971, it would no longer be the youngest Assembly in the District. To mark this event, the Assembly would present the new Assembly, Bishop James E. Walsh, a set of Officers' Jewels following their institution in Late 1970.

Another milestone reached, the Assembly's Tenth Anniversary was a gala event held at the Washington Country Club on December 12, 1972.

The year 1973 brought a bittersweet milestone for the Assembly, the retirement of their beloved Cardinal as Archbishop of Washington. On May 13, 1973, the Assembly turned out to welcome the new Archbishop, the Most Reverend William Baum at ceremonies held at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception,

The Assembly kept to it's patriotic mission during the decade. This was the heyday of the Assembly's Resolution Committee. During the 1970's, the Assembly made its voice known at the United States Capitol, the Maryland State House, the Montgomery County Council offices and the Mayor's office at the District Building. Dealing with everything from Resolutions of support for President Nixon during the stormy days of the Vietnam War to Resolutions of forceful opposition toward those in government who were going to war against the unborn, some one hundred Assembly Resolutions were approved and presented through the middle 1970's.

The Assembly also kept up support of established programs while adding some new ones. The Assembly now lent greater support to the Catholic Committee on Scouting, St, Ann's infant Home, the Nativity Scene at the Pageant of Peace in Washington, the Maryland Day celebration in St. Mary's City, Color Corps participation at the Bishop McNamara Chapter Knights of Columbus Nights at the Washington Bullets games as well as the Washington Cherry Blossom Parade and the Washington St. Patrick's Day Parade as well as other Knights of Columbus events.

At the 15th Anniversary Party for the Assembly, Cardinal O'Boyle himself presented to the Little Sisters of the Poor, the Assembly's newest award, "The Cardinal O'Boyle Award of Patriotism."

During the 1970's, not only did the Assembly distinguish itself, but three of her Sir Knights were called to higher honors. In the early 1970's, Past Faithful Navigator Charles Fridrich became the first Assembly member to reach the rank of Master of the Fourth Degree, Past Faithful Navigator Anthony P. Bellissimo would be the next Assembly member to do that in the late 1970's. In between them, the Assembly's own F. Eugene Hogan would be the first Assembly member to reach the rank of State Deputy of the State of Maryland.

During these years, the Assembly's Charter Faithful Friar, Monsignor W. Joyce Russell, would retire from office to be followed by Reverend Ron Carrillo from 1975-1976 and Reverend Saverio Vitturino from 1976-1978. Monsignor Russell would assume his duties again from 1978 until 1979 at which time Reverend Candice Treacy would assume the Faithful Friar's duties until 1980.

The 1980's opened with the Assembly membership at 350 Sir Knights from seven Councils (following the demise of Great Falls Council, Father Maher Council and Upper Montgomery--now known as Our Lady of Fatima Council--were created in Montgomery County). The following Sir Knights were honored by the membership with their election to the leadership position of Faithful Navigator:

1980-81 Manuel Mezquita
1981-82 Joseph B. Salay
1982-83 Alexander F. Sadowski
1983-84 Robert E. Werner
1984-85 Emil Rasa
1985-86 Joseph P. Fincutter
1986-87 Joseph F. Rosenberger
1987-88 Walter P. Grabowski
1988-89 Richard A. Callahan
1989-90 Conrad E. Kunkel

The year 1980 also saw the addition of a new Faithful Friar. The Reverend Robert V. Zylla of the Croiser Order at Holy Cross Manor in Beallsville, Maryland assumed his duties as Faithful Friar following his entry into the Assembly following the 1980 Exemplification. Except for the year 1994-95 when he spent a year's sabbatical in Rome, Fr. Zylla remains Faithful Friar to this day. During that year, Associate Friar Rev. Brendan McCormack stepped in to provide admirable service as Faithful Friar.

By the time the Assembly reached it's 20th Anniversary in 1982, the Assembly programs had retrenched to a half a dozen on-going efforts. The Memorial Chalice was now being taken by the Faithful Admiral of the Assembly to all Wake Services for deceased members for display by the casket.

Two Assembly programs that would grow greatly during the 1980's were the Shrine Usher's Program and the Color Corps. By 1981, there were sixty Sir Knights of the Assembly active in serving the National Shrine under our new Archbishop, the Most Reverend James Hickey (William Cardinal Baum had been given commission by His Holiness Pope John Paul II to head the Sacred Congregation on Catholic Education in Rome). A special evening to honor these Sir Knights was held on November 7, 1982 where the new blue and gold National Shrine Usher's Badge bearing the Fourth Degree emblem was introduced. This badge was created through the efforts of Assembly members Sir Knight Robert Werner and Sir Knight Richard Callahan. The Shrine Usher's Program would remain strong until it was taken over by Supreme Council in the middle 1980's, and opened to Third and Fourth Degree members throughout the Archdiocese.

The Color Corps of Cardinal O'Boyle Assembly began the 1980's with about a dozen members. By 1988, the Color Corps had grown to some forty members strong. The rebirth of the Corps and it's status as one of the finest Color Corps in Maryland is due in no small part to the contributions of two outstanding Color Corps Commanders, Sir Knight John Belin, Past Faithful Navigator, and Sir Knight Charles Matthews. An elected Color Corps Committee has run the administrative actions of the Corps throughout the decade.

The Assembly would receive another honor in 1982. Patrick Cardinal O'Boyle was the Honoree at the Exemplification of the Fourth Degree and the Second District of Maryland would create a seminarian burse in his honor.

The year 1982 would also bring the 20th Anniversary of the Assembly as well as the Centennial of the Order. This year would also mark the appointment of another Sir Knight of the Assembly to the rank of Master, Past Faithful Navigator Richard E. Keating.

By the late 1980's, the Assembly would continue to grow strong. The year 1987 would bring both great joy and sadness to the Sir Knights of the Assembly. It was the year of the 25th Anniversary. A gala affair was planned for November 21, 1987 at the Crowne Plaza in Rockville, Maryland; but one Sir Knight would not be with us that great day. On August 10, 1987 at the age of ninety-one years, Patrick Cardinal O'Boyle would be called home by our Heavenly Father. The Assembly turned out in great numbers for his funeral Mass at St. Matthew's Cathedral. The 25th Anniversary celebration, as joyous as it would be, was now a memorial to our late namesake.

The year 1988 would open with the loss of the founder of the Assembly, Past Faithful Navigator, Leo C. Koepfle. Two new Councils were established in the County (Mater Dei in Rockville, Faithful Navigator Walter Grabowski was that Council's first Grand Knight, and Bishop Thomas Lyons Council in Burtonsville). The Assembly's membership was now closing in on five hundred Sir Knights.

The year 1989 would open with the Assembly reviving a number of her more notable programs. The Memorial Chalice Program would now be named for their late namesake, Cardinal O'Boyle. The Assembly would also re-establish the Cardinal O'Boyle Award for Patriotism and would re-establish the Cardinal O'Boyle Seminarian Burse.

The decade leading up to the Millennium promises to continue the Assembly's strength in membership and patriotic programs. A series of fine men continue to provide strong leadership as Faithful Navigator:

1990-91 Sherry "Bud" Cowen
1991-92 George Gartner
1992-93 Joseph Rosick
1993-94 William Fenton
1994-95 Edward Srsic
1995-96 Donald McIntyre
1996-97 Ray M. Campfield
1997-98 Joseph Murtha
1998-99 George Whorral
1999-00 Ernest Harley
2000-01 William J. Kacvinsky

As of 1997, three of the original four councils are still participants in the assembly, while the total number is now nine: Fr. Rosensteel #2169, Montgomery #2323, Rock Creek #2797, Holy Family #5547, Blessed Manyanet #5567, Fr. Maher #6793, Mater Dei #9774, St. John the Baptist #11106, and Our Lady of Vietnam #11769. In 1996, the number of councils and membership in Montgomery County had grown sufficiently that a new Assembly, Cardinal Sheen, was instituted to serve members of Our Lady of Fatima Council #6901 and Fr. McKenna Council #11024 in the northern section of the county.

The Cardinal O'Boyle Assembly Color Corps is more active than ever. Aside from usual Assembly and Council functions, the Corps participated in many special events in recent years, including the institutions of three new councils in the county: Fr. McKenna, St. John the Baptist and Our Lady of Vietnam. Of special note were participations at installations of memorials to the unborn at Fatima Council in 1993, at Gate of Heaven Cemetary in May 1995 and at Fr. Rosensteel Council in October 1997. In the 1995-96 fraternal year alone, the Color Corps participated in 73 separate events.

The Assembly continues its practice of donating flag sets to parishes, the latest recipient being St. John the Baptist Church in December of 1997. In 1995, Color Corps Commander Bill Kacvinsky coordinated a flag recovery program with the "Old Guard" of Fort Myer, Va. The Assembly is a central receiving organization for retiring of old or worn flags of The United States. Such flags are then presented to the Old Guard for ceremonial burning and distribution of their ashes over graves of veterans at Arlington Cemetary.

The Assembly has received several Gold and Silver Membership awards, as well as Civic and Patriotic awards and certificates over these years. Vice Supreme Master Loughney presented the Assembly with a Certificate of Recognition for the new practice of reciting the Rosary before each meeting in January, 1995. In recognition of their service and that of the Assembly, PFN Ed Srsic was named Secretary to the Master in 1996, and S/K Bill Kacvinsky was named Assistant District Marshall in that same year.

After a few years of meeting at other locations, the Assembly moved back to its original home at Fr. Rosensteel Council in 1992. Here, with a grand dinner and dance on November 16, 1997, the Assembly celebrated the 35^th Anniversary of its institution.

With the membership ever increasing and it's patriotic and religious programs filled with a new vigor, Cardinal O'Boyle Assembly looks forward to another thirty-five years filled with even more promise, and her Sir Knights will ever be at the forefront of Columbianism in Maryland and the Archdiocese of Washington.