Established November 7, 1909
The Seven Founders
Four Josephite priests and three Catholic laymen created an organization through which Black Catholic men could deepen their faith, strengthen fellowship, and serve the Church and community.
Father Samuel J. Kelly
"The Convert"
Father Joseph P. Van Baast
"The People of God's Advocate"
Francis Trenier
"The Editor"
Father John Dorsey
"The History Maker"
Father Conrad Rebesher
"The Organizer"
Gilbert Faustina
"The Businessman"
Frank Collins
"The Family Man"
Over a Century of Milestones
From the founding of the National Council to the establishment of the Ladies of Grace, each milestone expanded the Claver family and its mission.
The Order has received the Apostolic Benediction of the Most Holy Father in Rome on many occasions. The Order also has the Approbation of Their Eminences and of Their Excellencies, The Cardinals and The Most Reverend Archbishops and Bishops, throughout the Archdioceses and Dioceses in which the Order has Councils and Courts. In the United States of America the Order operates in over 58 Archdioceses and Dioceses.
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The Order has participated in the charitable appeals of many Catholic institutions, and made many noteworthy contributions to various local, state and national organizations including, but not limited to, The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Urban League, Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation, Xavier University Development and Expansion Fund, The Sister Thea Bowman Black Catholic Educational Foundation, International Alliance of Catholic Knights, National Black Catholic Congress, National Black Clergy, National Black Sisters Conferences and the National Council of Negro Women.
Claverism in Texas
What began with one determined Claver in Houston grew into a statewide family grounded in Catholic faith, leadership, and service.
30+
Councils and Courts
Serving Across Texas Today
Austin
Baytown
Beaumont
Cheek
Crosby
Dallas
Fort Worth
Galveston
Houston
La Marque
Port Arthur
Raywood
San Antonio
Waco
​Brother Albert E. Woodley arrived in Houston in 1913 and joined St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Third Ward, Houston, Texas. Appointed an organizer by Supreme Knight Gilbert Faustina, he established St. Nicholas Council No. 15 in 1916, the first Texas Council. Brother Woodley would go on to help organize Council 28 in Beaumont, Council 32 in Port Arthur, Council 33 in Ames, Council 35 in San Antonio, and Council 44 in Ames.
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Woodley also helped organize the first Texas State Conference in Beaumont around 1923. The Conference gained permanent status in 1934 and elected Brother Henry Nichols of St. Nicholas Council 20 and Lady Bertha Balque of St. Ann Court 44 as its first State Council and State Court Presidents in 1938.​
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Today, there are over 30 Councils and Courts within the State of Texas meets annually to continue working to fulfill the mission of our patron saint, Peter Claver.
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