Council 104 was inaugurated on 15 March 1925 and its Charter granted on 21 November 1930.The first contribution book of Council 104 indicates that thirteen Brothers were initiated into the Manchester Council in November 1923; with a further twenty-two in 1924. Records held by the Council disclose that in 1925, the inauguration year, one hundred and three Candidates were initiated into the 1st Degree of the Order. This indicates the undoubted interest in the fundamental virtues of the new Order of the Knights of St Columba, during the immediate post World War One years.

In those early days initiation ceremonies were held five or six times a year. The records show that the largest numbers initiated were on 17 June 1925 - forty-two candidates, 25 October 1925 - thirty-two candidates, 20 December 1925 - twenty-six candidates, 7 March 1926 - forty candidates. This rate of enrolment continued through to June 1926 when Brothers started to be transferred to the newly erected Manchester Area Councils. The new Councils erected during that period were Councils 121, 125, 143, 158, 154, 155, 166 and 172. Transfers from Council 104 were predominantly to Council 172 (North Manchester).

Following its inauguration in 1925, Council meetings were held various locations, until August 1932, when the Council obtained its first permanent home in Carter Street (off Denmark Road), Chorlton-on-Medlock. From there the Council moved to Moss-Side, in June 1942, where their premises were situated at the junction of Princess Road and Moss Lane East and the Council Chamber and Club occupied the first floor, directly above Seymour Mead's grocery. The Council and Club moved to the present premises at 17 Mauldeth Road, Withington, Manchester in 1956.

In 1925, Council dues were five shillings (5/-) a quarter, rising to six shillings (6/-) in 1928. The Council had a Thrift Fund at that time and its principle purpose was to enable Brothers to meet their financial commitments connected with the Council's activities. Monies were held in a bank or building society and interest from this fund was credited to the Benevolent fund. Current Council dues are £27.50.

The first Grand Knight of Council 104 was Brother Henry Kelly, installed in 1925. He had a most gallant military service in World War One, being awarded the Victoria Cross, Military Cross and Bar, Croix de Guerre and Legion d'honour. He died in 1960 and is buried in Southern Cemetery, Manchester, Grave No 1372. 

When our fraternal Order was formed in Glasgow in 1919, one of the incorporators was a William Gilmour of Denton, who subsequently became a member of Council 104. Billy Gilmour was the father-in-law of Ross Hogg, a present  member of Council 104. The Council also has a copy of the first minutes of the initial meeting of the Knights of St Columba held in Glasgow on 5 October 1919 and these are displayed, with the Council Charter, at Council meetings.

Many members of the Council, were well known in Manchester for their public service, and included Aldermen J E Fitzsimons JP KCSG who was Lord Mayor of the City and also a Grand Knight of the Council; Alderman Hugh Lee was also Lord Mayor; Bernard McManus and Martin Flynn both served on the City Council. Most recently, Tony Burns, a current city councillor was Lord Mayor of Manchester for the Millennium year. The Council also had a very good friend, although not a member, in Sir Leslie Lever, KCSG, Member of Parliament and Lord Mayor of the City. Recently, Tony Ellis, became the first member of Council 104, to be elected to the Board of Directors of the Knights of St Columba.

Since 1925, the number of charities helped by Council 104 and the amount of money raised to support financial requests is vast. Reference to any year in the Treasurer's Cash Book would show the extent of the Council's charitable and benevolent efforts.

Until 1970 Council meetings were held twice monthly; on the second Sunday afternoon and the last Thursday evening. Subsequent meetings were held only on Sundays until 1980 when the Council decided to change to Thursday evenings. The first Thursday evening of each month was chosen to hold joint Action, Welfare, Membership and Youth meetings, with Full Council meetings held on the second Thursday.

From the end of World War Two until about 1977, Council 104 had a crib erected in Piccadilly, Manchester, to celebrate the Nativity. Sadly the figures were prone to damage by vandalism and by coins being thrown into the crib as offerings. Reluctantly the Council decided to erect the crib on a different site and chose the present Club premises where the crib is permanently fixed to a low roof facing the main road and displayed each Christmas time. In recent years a crib supported by Council 104 is erected at Terminal 1 at Manchester Airport. 

Except for the war years the Council has held an annual Dinner Dance since its inauguration. Guests have included Supreme Knights, Lord Mayors, Knights of St Gregory and Members of Parliament. On special occasions such as the Silver Jubilee of the Council in 1950, the Golden Jubilee in 1975 and the Diamond Jubilee in 1985, celebrations were held in Manchester Town Hall.

Having recently celebrated our 75th anniversary, and being responsible for the erection of four sibling Councils over the years, Council 104 of the Knights of St Columba, can rightly claim to be fulfilling the precept of Floreat Columba.

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