The Knights of Columbus was founded in 1882 by Blessed Father Michael J. McGivney. We have over 1.8 million members in more than 15,000 councils worldwide. Our Lady of Grace Council 13243 received its charter 120 years later, on December 18, 2002 . Started by 52 Catholic gentlemen, we now have over 130 members dedicated to making a difference.
Why Become a Knight?
As a Knight, you have the opportunity to support your parish, give back to your community, grow in faith, and gain exclusive access to our top-rated insurance programs to protect your family.
Our Foundational Principles
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, compel 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.
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.
Fraternity: Blessed 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 the good works of individual Knights who gave more than 75.6 million service hours in 2017, illustrating how Catholics serve each other in fraternity and mercy.
Patriotism: Members of the Knights of Columbus, be they Americans, Canadians, Mexicans, Cubans, Filipinos, Poles, or Dominicans, are patriotic citizens. We are proud of our devotion to God and country, and believe in standing up for both. Whether it’s in public or private, the Knights remind the world that Catholics support their nations and are amongst the greatest citizens.
For more information about the Knights of Columbus visit our Supreme Council website at www.kofc.org. If you are interested in joining our council, contact our Membership Director, Osborne McCarter, or CLICK HERE TO JOIN. You can see more of our activities on our Facebook page.