The History of the Knights of Columbus
Together, we are empowering Catholic Christian men to live their faith in their parish, at home, at work, and in their community.
Today, Father McGivney is being considered for sainthood.
Founded on the principles of charity, unity and fraternity, the Knights of Columbus was established in 1882 by Father Michael J. McGivney, assistant pastor of St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Connecticut, and a group of parishioners. Their intent? To bring financial aid and assistance to the sick, disabled and needy members and their families.
Today, Father McGivney is being considered for sainthood.
Our Mission
Charity
Support the parish with its needs
Help meet the needs of those in the local community
Provide “Coats for Kids” and “Food for Families”
Support programs that benefit people with intellectual disabilities
Aid victims of natural disasters and other catastrophic events, local and worldwide
Donate wheelchairs to people without mobility at home and abroad
Save lives through initiatives such as the “Ultrasound Program” and “Aid and Support After Pregnancy (ASAP)”
Learn MoreService
Knights are men who get things done. We volunteer our time to serve our parishes and our communities. And by working together, we were able to donate more than $1.4 billion and 664 million volunteer hours to worthy causes in the past decade.
Learn MoreFaith
The Knights of Columbus was founded so that men could work together to serve their parishes and communities, protect the well being of their Catholic families, and support each other in faith and in many other ways along life’s journey. The Knights of Columbus offers its members the opportunity to grow in their faith through living the example of a charity that evangelizes and personifying what it means to be a Catholic gentleman and disciple of Christ.
Learn MorePro-Life
Knights of Columbus respect, defend, and promote the dignity of every human person, at every stage of development.
Learn MoreInsurance
Venerable Michael J. McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus, in large part, to provide assistance to the widows and children left behind when the family breadwinner died – often prematurely. The Order’s top-rated insurance program continues to do this today, as do the good works of individual Knights, who gave more than 73.5 million service hours in 2015, illustrating how Catholics serve each other in fraternity and mercy.
Learn MorePatriotism
Members of the Knights of Columbus, be they Americans, Canadians, Mexicans, Cubans, Filipinos, Poles, or Dominicans, are patriotic citizens. We are proud of our devotion to God and country, and believe in standing up for both. Whether it’s in public or private, the Knights remind the world that Catholics support their nations and are amongst the greatest citizens.
Learn MoreJoining the Knights has made me a better father and a better husband.
I used to be low-t, but then I joined the Knights of Columbus and my voice dropped an octave.
I find my husband even more attractive since he joined the Knights.
Ready to be a Knight?
Become a man on a mission.