One of the oldest Assemblies in the South, Assembly 1081 started out quite simply as Bishop Adrian General Assembly. Founded by Master Ferdinand E Kuhn on May 6, 1906, 170 members from seven different states came together to hold the first Exemplification in Nashville, TN. On March 2, 1924, the second Exemplification was held and 121 additional members were added to this number, including 7 members of the Clergy. A charter was received from the Supreme Council naming the Assembly the Nashville Local Assembly No. 544, in recognition of the first Knights of Columbus council founded south of the Mason-Dixon line. On April 1, 1945, the Assembly was renamed under a new charter as the Bishop Adrian General Assembly.
Since that time, the Assembly has continually operated and served middle Tennessee parishes and councils. In 2007, the Assembly was renamed in honor of its Faithful Friar for his many years of faithful service, upon his passing from this life, as Bishop Niedergeses Assembly 1081. Our honor and color guards continue offering service to our parishes, council, clergy, and laypeople across middle Tennessee.
Faithful Navigators:
1906-1924 – Ferdinand .E. Kuhn
1924-1925 – F.J McCarthy
1926-1928 – Henry Neuhoff
1929-1930 – James J Friel
1931-1932 – H.A. Tenbrunsel
1932-1940 – Charles J. Lord
1941-1942 – John M. Lynch
1942-1946 – Tom Ed Murray
1946-1949 – Monroe Carell
1949-1950 – N.F. Varallo
1950-1951 – James F. Walsh
1951-1952 – L.J. Meiers
1952-1954 – John E. Quinn
1954-1956 – Kenneth B. Schoen
1956-1958 – James P. Cella
1958-1960 – Michael F. Weber
1960-1962 – Truman S. Wrenne
1984-1985 – Tom Weick
1985-1986 – James J. Mathieson
1986-1987 – Charles A. Hostettler
1987-1988 – Ted R. Sanders
1988-1989 – Jim McGinley
1989-1990 – Ronald DeFreece
1990-1991 – Carlton Russell
1991-1992 – William (Bill) Carver
1992-1993 – Vern Spiker
1993-1994 – Frank Fox
1994-1995 – Fred Hannan
1995-1996 – William (Bill) Carver
1996-1997 – Jack Coode
2015-2017 – Steve Fennell
2017-2019 – Mark Holmes
2019-2021 – Ken Warren
2021-2023 – Greg Ledford
2023-Current – Anthony Frankie
Data extracted from the book Sixty Years of Columbianism in Tennessee, published in 1962, stored records at the Pastoral Center historical archives, courtesy of Brent Wiebe, and official meeting records provided to Greg Ledford and stored at the Cathedral of the Incarnation archives.
Fourth Degree Ceremony in Nashville, TN, on March 2nd, 1924
The original clubhouse on Bosley Springs Rd where Assembly 1081 meetings were held.
