The local council of the Knights of Columbus has been known as “Niles Council 708” for the past 113 years.

After much discussion and reflection the members voted to add the name of “Father Allouez.”

Bishop Bradley of the Kalamazoo Diocese approved of the name addition. The local council is now named ‘Niles 708 Father Allouez.’

When the Niles council was founded in 1902, councils generally were not named for individuals. Since that time, a tradition has developed to name the council for a significant Catholic, i.e. Saint, Pope, Priest, event or organization.

Former Niles resident, Bill Grover, suggested naming an organization after Father Allouez and the Knights of Columbus Niles 708 took the lead in securing the name for their local council.

Father Allouez founded the Jesuit ‘Mission De Saint Joseph’ in 1684, near present day Niles.

After many years of missionary work in southwest Michigan and the Great Lakes, Father Allouez died in 1689.

He is buried on the bluff above the St. Joseph River where his grave has been revered for the past 326 years.

The Father Allouez monument is located on Bond Street, just north of Fort Street.