About us

Father Michael J. McGivney
Knights of Columbus Founder
(1852-1890)

Fr. Michael J. McGivney, a curate at St. Mary's Church, New Haven, Connecticut, expressed what he perceived as a need to establish a Catholic fraternal benefit society that would provide assistance to those families experiencing the loss of the breadwinner of the family. An exploratory meeting was held in the basement of St. Mary's Church on Sunday, October 2, 1881. After several meetings the Order was incorporated in Connecticut on March 29, 1882 and was called the Knights of Columbus. On May 15, the Order was born when thirty-six men formed the first Council - San Salvador Council.

The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic men's fraternal benefit society that was formed to render financial aid to members and their families. Mutual aid and assistnce 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.

The history of the Order shows how the foresight of Father Michael J. McGivney, whose cause for sainthood is being investigated by the Vatican, brought about what has become the world's foremost Catholic fraternal benefit society. The Order has helped families obtain economic security and stability through its life insurance, annuity and long-term care programs, and has contributed time and energy worldwide to service in communities.

The Knights of Columbus has grown from several members in one council to more than 12,000 councils and 1.7 million members throughout the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Guatemala, Guam and Spain.