The Knights of Columbus is an organization of Catholic men founded on the national level in New Haven, Conn., in 1882 by Father Michael McGivney. A Minnesota State Council was formed in 1901, and the Brainerd Council was officially chartered in 1910.

W. H. Cleary was first Grand Knight of the Brainerd Council with a membership of 74 recorded. Today, 61 years later, there are 240 members.

Following the death of Msgr. Thomas F. Scott in 1968, the organization was renamed in his memory.

The first meeting site on Front Street was burned and many of the Council records lost. For some time, a second floor location in the 200 Block on South Seventh Street was used for a meeting place. In 1952, when the new St. Francis school and gymnasium were built, the Council moved there for meetings and has continued at this location since that time.

The Brainerd Council has hosted three state conventions -- in 1916, 1949 and 1970. From an attendance of something under 100 delegates in 1949. the figure rose to 1,200 members last year.

The Council's service is organized under a six-point program of activity: Catholic. Council. Fraternal. Youth, Membership, Insurance and Public Relations.

Just this year, a Women's Auxiliary was formed with its purpose, the aiding of the Council's spiritual, charitable, social and fund-raising programs.