About the Knights of Columbus

The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in New Haven, Connecticut by Father Michael J. McGivney in 1882, the Order is named in honor of Christopher Columbus. The Order is dedicated to the principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism. There are more than 1.7 million members in more than 13,000 councils with nearly 200 councils on college campuses.

Councils have been chartered all over the world including: the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, the Philippines, Guam, Saipan, Japan, Cuba, and Poland. The Knights' official junior organization, the Columbian Squires, has over 5,000 Circles.

Growth of the Knights of Columbus*

On Oct. 2, 1881, a small group of men met in the basement of St. Mary’s Church on Hillhouse Avenue in New Haven, Connecticut. Called together by their 29-year-old parish priest, Father Michael J. McGivney, these men formed a fraternal society that would one day become the world’s largest Catholic family fraternal service organization.

They sought strength in solidarity, and security through unity of purpose and devotion to a holy cause: they vowed to be defenders of their country, their families and their faith.

These men were bound together by the ideal of Christopher Columbus, the discoverer of the Americas, the one whose hand brought Christianity to the New World. Their efforts came to fruition with the incorporation of the Knights of Columbus on March 29, 1882.

They were Knights of Columbus.

The Order has been called "the strong right arm of the Church," and has been praised by popes, presidents and other world leaders, for support of the Church, programs of evangelization and Catholic education, civic involvement and aid to those in need.

Father McGivney’s founding vision for the Order also included a life insurance program to provide for the widows and orphans of deceased members. The Order’s insurance program has expanded substantially to serve more effectively the Knights’ growing membership.

Year after year, the Knights of Columbus has earned the highest possible quality ratings for financial soundness from A.M. Best and Standard & Poor’s. The Order provides the highest quality insurance, annuity and long-term care products to its members, along with many other fraternal benefits.

The Supreme Council is the governing body of the Knights of Columbus and is responsible for the development of the organization as a whole. Supreme Council duties include establishing the Order in new regions and setting up regional authorities, defining and advancing its values and goals, undertaking organization-wide initiatives, promoting awareness of the Knights’ mission worldwide, and protecting the families of members through its extensive insurance program. Members working in local, or subordinate councils, however, carry on the majority of the Knights’ beneficial work.

Charitable Giving by the Knights of Columbus*

Charity is the foremost principle of the Knights of Columbus. In the 2005 fraternal year the Order gave $136 million directly to charity and performed over 63.2 million man hours in voluntary service. Endowed funds of over $54 million support a number of Church related causes. A Knight's highest duty is to assist the widow or orphan of a fallen brother Knight.

Just days after the terrorist attacks in New York City of September 11, 2001, the Order established the $1 million Heroes Fund. Assistance was provided to the families of all full-time law enforcement personnel, firefighters and emergency medical workers who lost their lives in the rescue and recovery efforts.

More than $10 million has been raised for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts

In 2006, $3 million was disbursed to the Archdiocese of New Orleans and the dioceses of Lafayette, LA, Houma-Thibodaux, LA, Lake Charles, LA, Biloxi, MS and Beaumont, TX.

The Order also donated more than $500,000 to the Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2004 relief efforts

The Order also donated more than $50,000 to help victims of Typhoon Durian in the Philippines