Chapel Dedicated at State Knights of Columbus HQ

Article By: Ron Kuzlik

FONTANA, Calif. - The California State Council of the Knights of Columbus held a dedication ceremony for a new chapel at the state headquarters building here May 17.

Diocese of San Bernardino Bishop Alberto Rojas presided over the dedication Mass and ceremony, concelebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Rutilio del Riego, and priests, deacons and clergy from the area.

The chapel, at a Knights of Columbus state headquarters, is believed to be the first of its kind.

The idea for a chapel was first conceived by Past State Deputy Joe Salaiz in 2022.

Current State Deputy Rene Trevino, a licensed architect in the State of California designed the chapel.

“Initially, it was going to be a prayer room,” Trevino said. “But after much discussion it was expanded to a small chapel.”

Liturgical advice was provided by State Chaplain Rev. Fr. John Grace, OSA, along with former State Chaplains Very Rev. Msgr. Gerard M. Lopez, STL, (current vicar general of the Diocese of San Bernardino), Rev. Fr. John Neneman and Rev. Antony Fr. Vazhappilly.

Construction of the chapel was done by Past State Deputy Steve Bolton, a general contractor from St Bonaventure Catholic Parish in Huntington Beach.. Audiovisual equipment was installed by Past State Deputy Dave Abbott and State Advocate Ken Rose. Additional support was provided by State Deputy Rene Trevino and his wife Carla Trevino.

The chapel measures 9 feet by 12 feet, but is designed to open up into a 19 foot by 28 foot space as a training room and museum. It is capable of sitting 30-40 people for Mass.

Other amenities include a small vesting room for clergy adjacent to the chapel. An altar was built specifically for the chapel and a tabernacle was donated by Former State Chaplain Rev. Fr. Antony Vazhappilly.

Video cameras and other audiovisual equipment is being installed to support the chapel.

The cost of the chapel was paid for by State Council funds and individual donations.

Bishop Rojas’ affiliation with the Knights of Columbus goes back to the time he was in school at the Diocesan Seminary of Santa Maria de Guadalupe in Aquascalientes, Mexico.

“I personally appreciate the Knights of Columbus,” Bishop Rojas said

“I am constantly reminded of the generosity and protection offered by the Knights of Columbus.

“The ministry of the Knights of Columbus is directly connected with the sacred. This chapel offers a place to pray, have Mass, and a way to strengthen themselves while connecting themselves to God by way of prayer.”

Following the dedication of the chapel, including consecration of the altar, Bishop Rojas, along with Brother Knights and guests, dedicated a statue of Blessed Michael McGivney, a parish priest who founded the Knights of Columbus in New Haven, Conn., in 1882.

The organization has grown to become the largest Catholic fraternal service organization in the world. There are nearly 2 million Knights in over 16,000 councils around the world including the United States as well as Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, Poland, the Republic of Korea, France, and others.

For more information on the California State Council of the Knights of Columbus, go to: https://www.californiaknights.org/

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