Who Are We?
The Knights of Columbus in Washington, DC
Who Are We?
What are the Knights of Columbus?
Founding.
Father Michael J. McGivney, a parish priest in New Haven, CT, founded the Knights of Columbus in 1882. We remain dedicated to upholding the
teachings of the Catholic Church, serving the Church, helping people in need and fostering a bond between members. Pope John Paul II described the
Knights as “The strong right are of the Church.”
Organization
The Knights of Columbus is the world’s largest Catholic, family, fraternal organization with over 1.6 million members. It is a growing and vibrant service
organization with nearly 21,000 local councils worldwide.
Key Principles
Its foundation is based on Unity, Charity, Fraternity towards fellow Knights, and Patriotism.
What Do the Knights of Columbus Do?
Service to the Community
The Knights are a part of the community. Each council designs its own service program, built around service to church, community, family, youth, and
its own fraternal growth. Last year, we collectively donated $120 million to charitable causes. Knights fed the hungry, sheltered the homeless, provided
merit scholarships, helped senior citizens remain healthy, conducted blood drives, and fought to protect the right to life of all individuals. The Order is
always searching for ways to help the Church. Also, last year, the Knights volunteered more than 55 million man-hours to serve the humanitarian needs
of communities served by our local councils.
Service to the Church
The Knights of Columbus helps the Church. Knights assisted over 28,000 Seminarians achieve their goal of the priesthood. In the 1980s, we funded the
massive restoration of the front of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. Since 1982, we have given over $25 million to the Holy Father for his personal
charities.
Beneficiaries in the Local Area
The Order has contributed millions to beneficiaries in this area such as to the John Paul II Cultural Center, the Bishops’ Catholic University of America,
the United States Catholic Conference, the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the Military Archdiocese—and to Camp David (for the organ
in the chapel).
Insurance
Father McGivney’s initial plan to provide financial security for the members’ families has grown to an extensive insurance program. Now, the Knights
of Columbus ranks in the top 4% of life insurance companies in North America with over $45 billion of insurance in force.
The Visible Arm of the Knights
The men you may have seen in colorful capes and chapeaux at patriotic and ecclesiastical ceremonies are a volunteer color corps from the patriotic arm of
the Knights.
What About the Knights in this Area?
Local Knights
From the original roots planted in DC in 1897, the Knights in this area have grown to include over 18,000 members in the Archdiocese of Washington and
Northern Virginia.
Potomac Council
The Council was established in 1899 as the 433rd council of the Order. It has a proud history. For example, it played an important role in having the
statue of Christopher Columbus erected in front of Union Station. The accompanying parade at the 1912 unveiling drew the largest crowd in
Washington, DC since the victory parade after the Civil War.
Potomac’s Focus
It is now centered on those living or working in the downtown area. While monthly meetings are held at the Catholic Information Center we also support
St. Matthew’s Cathedral, St. Patrick’s, St. Mary’s, and Holy Rosary Churches.
Supreme Knight a Member
Three years ago, a member and former head of Potomac Council was elected Supreme Knight of the entire Order. Though a resident at the Knights of
Columbus headquarters in New Haven, CT, he maintains his personal membership in Potomac Council.