Knights of Columbus

Our History

Thanks to the efforts of Father Michael J. McGivney, assistant pastor of St. Mary’s Church in New Haven and some of his parishioners, the Connecticut state legislature on March 29, 1882, officially chartered the Knights of Columbus as a fraternal benefit society. The Order is still true to its founding principles of charity, unity and fraternity. The Knights 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. 

St. Andrew Council #16832

The Moral obligation of the council is nothing less than to offer every eligible Catholic man the opportunity and privilege of membership in the order.

Our Principles

I. Charity: Our Catholic faith teaches us to “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” Members of the Knights of Columbus show love for their neighbors by conducting food drives and donating the food to local soup kitchens and food pantries, by volunteering at Special Olympics, and by supporting, both spiritually and materially, mothers who choose life for their babies. Knights recognize that our mission, and our faith in God, compels us to action. There is no better way to experience love and compassion than by helping those in need, a call we answer every day.

II. Unity: None of us is as good as all of us. Members of the Knights of Columbus all know that – together -we can accomplish far more than any of us could individually. So we stick together …we support one another. That doesn’t mean that we always agree or that there is never a difference of opinion. It does mean that -as a Knight of Columbus -you can count on the support and encouragement of your brother Knights as you work to make life better in your parish and community.

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

For more information visit www.kofc.org