History of the Knights
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.