Over several years, Supreme Advocate Hart had orchestrated the election of directors who had a different vision for the future of the Order than Matthews. Matthews opposed having a convention in 1945 to preserve hotel space for returning WWII soldiers, but a convention was called anyway in the expectation that something could be worked out. The convention assembled in Montreal but, upon determining that a convention there would not be feasible, they adjourned to Plattsburgh, New York. Matthews felt such an action was illegal, declared himself not a candidate, and Hart's slate of officers were all elected, including Galvin and Supreme Knight John E. Swift. In recognition of his service to the church, he was made a Knight of the Pontifical Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great, one of the five Orders of Knighthood of the Holy See, by Pope Pius XII in 1942. The Timothy P. Galvin K.S.G. Outstanding Catholic Layman Award is awarded each year by the Indiana State Council in his honor. As Deputy Supreme Knight during World War II, he argued that the United States was "fighting to uphold the doctrine at all men are created equal in the sight of God." Galvin also served on the board of the Gibault School for Boys, an institution established by the Indiana Knights, for several decades, and as a trustee of Our Sunday Visitor. He was also on the Lay Advisory Board of St. Joseph’s College, Calumet Center, and served as a Trustee of All Saints Parish, Hammond. Galvin was the first commander of the Charles Pratt Post of the American Legion in Valparaiso. During the Second World War, Galvin was a member of Lake County's Selective Service Board No. 4. He also was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks was active with the American Legion. In 1957, B'nai B'rith of Hammond honored Galvin as the outstanding citizen of that city.