ABOUT US

HISTORY

Founded by Father Michael J. McGivney, curate at St. Mary's parish in New Haven, CT, the Knights of Columbus was chartered on March 29, 1882, in the state of Connecticut.

As the priest explained to a small group of men at a meeting in the basement of St. Mary's Church in October 1881, his purpose in calling them together was manifold: to help Catholic men remain steadfast in their faith through mutual encouragement; to promote closer ties of fraternity among them; and to set up an elementary system of insurance so that the widows and children of members in the group who might die would not find themselves in dire financial straits.
 

The founder and first officers of the fledgling organization chose the name "Knights of Columbus" because they felt that, as a Catholic group, it should relate to Christopher Columbus, the Catholic discoverer of America.  This would emphasize that it was Catholics that discovered, explored and colonized the North American continent.  At the same time, "Knights" would signify that the membership embodied knightly ideals of spirituality and service to Church, country and fellowman.

Today, the Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic family fraternal service organization with 1.8 million Catholic men plus their families in more than 13,000 councils located in 14 countries who have dedicated themselves to the ideals of Columbianism: Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism.  Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to practicing Catholic men in union with the Holy See, who are at least 18 years of age.  A practicing Catholic is one who lives up to the Commandments of God and the precepts of the Church.  Every Knight is happy to propose eligible Catholic men for consideration as members.