OUR HISTORY
The year was 1934; the place was Seattle, Washington, and four Catholic
friends had an idea. They decided to meet regularly over a meal to
discuss how their Christian values could be lived out in their
professional lives. Soon more friends were joining them, and within
several months they had decided on an additional focus: the encouraging
of vocations to the priesthood and religious life. They chose Padre
Junipero Serra, the noted Spanish missionary, as patron.
This small group has grown into Serra International. Serrans today are
still dedicated to spiritual growth, continuing Catholic adult
education, warm fellowship, and the encouragement of Church vocations.
Serra clubs are a great idea, and they have become a tradition of
commitment.
Serra International chartered its first Serra club in 1935 in Seattle,
Washington. Then, as now, the two great needs for the church were for
informed Catholic lay leaders who understand and live their own
Christian vocations to service, and for dedicated priests and religious.
In 1951, Serra International became aggregated to the Sacred Council for
Catholic Education and the Pontifical Work for Priestly Vocations.
In 1986, Serra International voted to welcome women as well as men to
membership in the organization.
Today, there are more than 800 Serra clubs in 37 countries with a total
membership of more than 19,000 men, women and permanent deacons. Each
Serra club is a member of both a national council and Serra
International. Serra International, which has an office located in
Chicago, links Serra clubs around the world.
Serra Club
Past Presidents |
|
1961 |
H. Maxfield |
1984 |
James A. Nolan |
|
1962 |
J. Knockelman |
1985 |
Ken Gross |
|
1963 |
J. Von Lehman |
1986 |
Lee Mando |
|
1964 |
E. Lange |
1987 |
Jack Green |
|
1965 |
Robert Noll |
1988 |
William Miller |
|
1966 |
Paul Hemmer |
1989 |
Joseph Willett |
|
1967 |
P. Klingenberg |
1990 |
Tim Mauntel |
|
1968 |
W. Rinehart |
1991 |
Martin A. Haas |
|
1969 |
Lee Mando |
1992 |
Gary Hampton |
|
1970 |
R. Lemker |
1993 |
Joe Langenderfer |
|
1971 |
J. Gronotte |
1994 |
David Noll |
|
1972 |
R. Muehlenkamp |
1995 |
Kenneth Sanker |
|
1973 |
R. Goessling |
1996 |
Thomas Kennedy |
|
1974 |
H. Humpert |
1997 |
Paul R. Markgraf |
|
1975 |
L. Joseph Willett |
1998 |
Joseph Willett |
|
1976 |
Gerald Thelen |
1999 |
Ken Sanker |
|
1977 |
Robert Manning |
2000 |
Gerald Thelen |
|
1978 |
Gerhard Wenstrup |
2001 |
Gerald Thelen |
|
1979 |
Robert Hofacre |
2002 |
Mark Krahe |
|
1980 |
Joseph Von Lehman |
2003 |
Ann Knox |
|
1981 |
John W. Dunn |
2004 |
Hudson Henry |
|
1982 |
William J. Miller |
2005 |
Hudson Henry |
|
1983 |
John C. LaVelle |
2006 |
Bob Parsons |
|
2007 - Bob Parsons |

Read more about our Patron, Blessed Junipero Serra here.
Read more about the history of Serra Clubs International here
Read more about the Serra Club of Northern Kentucky by clicking here.
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