Chapter History

On Oct. 2, 1881, a group of men met in the basement of St. Mary’s Church on Hillhouse Avenue in New Haven. 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 the Knight 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 the Knights’ growing membership.

Year after year, the Knights of Columbus has earned the highest possible quality ratings for financial soundness from outside rating agencies.   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’s duties include establishing 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.

The Columbian Year

There are many calendar formats in the world. The one most familiar to us is the Julian Calendar which begins in January and ends in December.

After that, those of us in the business world are familiar with the term Fiscal Year.   Fiscal Years can be many things to many people. Some governmental organizations operate on a Fiscal Year that starts on July 1st and ends on June 30th.

Other Fiscal Years begin October 1st and ends September 30th.  The Knights of Columbus has what we refer to as a Columbian Year.  It runs from July 1st through June 30th.  Council and Assembly activities and reports, in addition to the election of officers, are based on the Columbian Year.