About

The Knights of Columbus was founded in 1882 by Blessed Michael J. McGivney, a parish priest at St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Connecticut. Seeing Catholic immigrant families left destitute when a breadwinner died, Fr. McGivney envisioned a fraternal society of lay Catholic men who would strengthen one another in faith and care for widows and orphans.

Fr. McGivney was beatified on October 31, 2020. His vision grew from a single parish society into the world’s largest Catholic lay men’s organization, with more than two million members worldwide today.

Since 1882 the Order has served parish, community, and the universal Church on the pillars of Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism — disaster relief, support for vocations, defense of life, aid for people with disabilities, and care for members’ families through its fraternal insurance program.

Our council, Chinese Martyrs Council 15463, is named for the 120 Martyr Saints of China, canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2000, who bore witness to the faith with their lives. For our council’s own founding history, see the Our Council page.

All the good works we do are informed by our four core principles.

Charity — “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” Knights show love through food drives, volunteering at Special Olympics, and supporting—spiritually and materially—mothers who choose life for their babies. Our mission and our faith in God compel us to action; there is no better way to experience love and compassion than by helping those in need.

Unity — None of us is as good as all of us. Together we can accomplish far more than any of us could individually, so we stick together and support one another. It doesn’t mean we always agree—it means that, as a Knight, you can count on the support of your brother Knights as you work to better your parish and community.

Fraternity — Venerable Michael J. McGivney founded the Order largely to provide for the widows and children left behind when the family breadwinner died, often prematurely. The Order’s top-rated insurance program continues this today, as do individual Knights, who last year gave more than 10 million hours to assist sick and disabled members and their families. We watch out for and take care of one another.

Patriotism — Members of the Knights of Columbus, whatever their nationality, are patriotic citizens. We are proud of our devotion to God and country and believe in standing up for both. In public or private, the Knights remind the world that Catholics support their nations and are among the greatest citizens.

The Order has three levels: the Supreme Council governs worldwide; State Councils oversee each jurisdiction; and local councils, rooted in parishes, are where members meet and serve.

We are Council 15463, a local council. Officers are elected each fraternal year (beginning every July) — see Our Council → Council Officers.

Designed in 1883 by James T. Mullen, the Order’s first Supreme Knight: a shield mounted on a cross — the cross for faith; on the shield, a fasces for legitimate authority and unity, an anchor recalling Columbus the mariner who carried the faith to the New World, and a short sword for chivalry — courage in defense of faith and the vulnerable.