A Carlisle Catholic men’s organisation commemorated its 100-year milestone with a concelebrated Mass and a formal dinner.

The Knights of St Columba (KSC) celebrated their centenary at St Margaret Mary’s Church on Scalegate Road on Friday, September 22

Council 60 of the KSC was established on September 23 1923, with its first Grand Knight being Lt Bernard Francis Rudden, MBE.

The first Grand Knight of Council 60 was Lt Bernard Francis Rudden, MBE, born in 1877 and son of John Rudden, killed in France in 1914.

Twelve priests and three deacons from across the Diocese of Lancaster concelebrated Mass with Canon Paul Embery, a Vicar General representing the Bishop of Lancaster.

The Supreme Knight of the KSC, Harry Welsh also attended the Mass, the reception, and dinner afterward in the St Margaret Mary’s Community Social Centre, along with guests from other KSC Councils, wives, and friends.

A number of speeches were given at the event, with the importance of lay organisations providing support to the church and the clergy highlighted in the sermon given by Canon Luiz Ruscillo

Tributes were also paid to the Council’s Grand Knight Mike Esters, who had masterminded much of details of the Centenary event, following his recent passing.