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.
