OUR HISTORY
The Knights of Columbus was formed to render financial aid to members and their families. Mutual aid and assistance are offered to sick, disabled and needy members and their families. Social and intellectual fellowship is promoted among members and their families through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief and public relief works.
In 1882, Father Michael J. McGivney invited a small group of parishioners to gather in the basement of St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Connecticut. His goal was simple, to establish an Order that would unite men in their faith as well as help provide for Catholic families in times of need. It was in that humblest of beginnings that the Knights of Columbus was founded.
Guided by four core principles—charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism, these founding members strove to overcome the hardships of the time. Poverty. Unemployment. Even persecution. Father Michael J. McGivney’s perseverance and foresight have resulted in the largest Catholic fraternal and humanitarian organization ever created. An organization that has endured for over a century because of the inspirational courage of so many.
Decades later, Knights of Columbus councils number in the thousands and their members in the millions. In the past ten years alone, the Knights of Columbus has donated 1.406 billion dollars to charity, and provided more than 653 million hours of volunteer service in support of charitable causes. And our hopes and dreams for tomorrow are greater, because the need is, too.
The Knights of Columbus has grown from several members in one council to more than 14,000 councils and 1.8 million members throughout the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, Poland, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Cuba, Guatemala, Guam and Saipan.
