We Invite YOU to Join the Knights of Columbus

Imagine being part of an organization that fills your heart and your mind with the joy of giving to others and the feeling that comes with making a difference. Knights are Catholic men, 18 years of age and older, who are committed to making their community a better place, while supporting their Church. Being a Knight is more than camaraderie; it is being involved with your community; it is supporting your local Catholic Church, while enhancing your own faith; it is about protecting and enhancing your family life. 

Who We Are

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. They were called together by their 29-year-old parish priest, Father Michael J. McGivney. These men formed a fraternal society that has become the world's largest Catholic family fraternal service organization. One of the ideals of Fr. McGivney was to provide financial assistance to the widows and orphans of its members. This original idea grew into an organization of Catholic men dedicated to promoting the concepts of charity, unity, fraternity and Patriotism. Today faith, family, and fraternity are the foundation upon which the Knights of Columbus stands. The Order has been called the "strong right arm of the Church," and has been praised by popes, presidents and world leaders. We have drawn praise for our support of our Church, civic involvement and aid to those in need. From that first group of Catholic men we have grown to nearly 1.6 million members in 11,000 councils, in the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Panama, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Guam, Saipan, the Virgin Islands, and the Bahamas. In Michigan, we have supported Boysville of Michigan, and groups such as Right to Life of Michigan, and the St Louis Center. Every year we raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for the mentally challenged through the MI Drive (Tootsie Roll Drive). Locally we continue to support St. Patrick Church through student scholarships, youth formation, vacation bible school, Seminarian sponsorship; and the community with charities such as Habitat for Humanity, Pregnancy Helpline, Livingston County Catholic Services, St. Vincent DePaul and St. George Ministries, and many others. Knights donated more than $139 million and 64 million volunteer hours to charity last year..