Originally there was only one Assembly for the entire Archdiocese of Chicago, LaSalle General. This caused all Fourth Degree members in Cook and Lake County to join this one Assembly, which always held it's meetings in Chicago, requiring much driving time. This caused a bit of resentment among those members wishing to be active, but unable to due to the burden of driving.

In early September, 1959, John Barton of the Archangel Council in Orland Park became involved in the idea of forming a new Assembly, and wrote a letter to the Supreme Council and the Master of the Northern District, Master Frank McGillien. The letter seemingly fell to deaf ears.

John then became associated with Marian Council's Fourth Degree President, Bill Waddington. Bill suggested that John invite the Master out to a meeting of the Fourth Degree Club to talk about the Assembly. The invitation was sent, and the Master agreed to attend.

Bill decided to make a big showing for the Master, and invited members from 12 area councils to attend the meeting and Q/A session. So, on December 1, 1959, at the Old Marian Council Hall in Homewood, there was a "very good attendance." The master spent a while discussing the Fourth Degree in general, and then was "deluged with questions pertaining to the formation of a new Assembly." The Master explained the strict rules for forming an Assembly, and indirectly set a challenge for the members.

On January 6, 1960, a small group of members sat down in a meeting to discuss the rules, and create a game plan. It was unanimously agreed that there should be a bigger meeting with all 12 councils to gain support and cooperation. A meeting was scheduled for January 18, 1960 at the Chicago Heights Council Hall.

At this meeting, the following councils were represented:

Pinta (Neri) Blue Island Lansing Coronata Fr. C.C.Boyle Garcia Moreno Marian Our Lady of Fatima Archangel (Later San Salvador Archangel) Chicago Heights

This meeting was extremely successful, and it was agreed that the councils could gain support for a new Assembly. It was also approved that John Barton would continue as Chairman and Tom Wilsonn as Secretary. There was also to be a meeting on a monthly basis. March was set as the date to have 60% support of all 4th Degree members approval. The Master also agreed to be at this meeting.

At the February meeting, a by-law committee was formed, including: Ted Sailor and Ed Hanley, Lansing Bill Waddington, Marian Joe Doheny, Garcia Moreno Paul Pina, Pinta (Neri)

The meeting of March 28th brought the needed signatures for an Assembly, but a phone call from the Master stated he could not make the meeting, but stressed that the signatures must be from members of the LaSalle Assembly to be considered. So, he promised he would be present at a meeting to be held June 27, 1960.

At the June Meeting, the Master was greatly pleased by the number of people attending, and said that he would work with the Supreme Council to have them permit the formation of a new Assembly. He then suggested as a name for the Assembly in honor of Cardinal Stritch, for his dedicated role with the Church and the Knights of Columbus.

For an undisclosed reason, Blue Island and Fatima requested to withdraw, and they were allowed to leave.

The August meeting brought good tidings from the Supreme Council. The reports of the by-laws, nominations, and name were approved, and the election of officers was set for September 21, 1960, at the Pinta (Neri) Council in Riverdale.

The Master could not attend the meeting again, but authorized Bill Condon, from Genoa Council, to conduct the election. Those elected were:

Ted Sailor, FN, Lansing Fr. Thomas O'Connell, Friar, Fr. C.C.Boyle Anthony Mroz, Admiral, Coronata Charles Oliver, Captain, Pinta Stanley Kelma, Pilot, Fr. C.C.Boyle Norman Vinsek, Comptroller, Marian William McCarthy, Purser, Lansing Ken Buck, Scribe, Pinta Al Miller, Inner Sentinel, Nina Pete Korn, Outer Sentinel, Chicago Heights John Barton, Trustee, 3 years, Archangel Tom Wilson, Trustee, 2 years, Chicago Heights Joe Doheny, Trustee, 1 year, Garcia Moreno

The Officers worked hard to create the by-laws and work on a charter. Finally, a charter was recieved from the Supreme Council January, 1964. The presentation was made by the Vice Supreme Master, Frank McGillien, and Master Ron Taillon.