Knights of Columbus

Learn About Us

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.

The history of the Order shows how the foresight of Father Michael J. McGivney, whose cause for sainthood is being investigated by the Vatican, brought about what has become the world’s foremost Catholic fraternal benefit society. The Order has helped families obtain economic security and stability through its life insurance, annuity and long-term care programs, and has contributed time and energy worldwide to service in communities.

The Knights of Columbus has grown from several members in one council to  15,342 councils and 1.9 million members throughout the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, Poland, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Cuba, Guatemala, Guam, Saipan, Lithuania, Ukraine, and South Korea.

Knights of Columbus – Today’s Knights: What We Do

From the moment of our founding in 1882, charity has been the first principle of the Knights of Columbus. We are men of faith and men of action.

In 2015, the Knights of Columbus set a new all-time record for the 17th consecutive year. Our charitable donations increased from 2014 by more than $1.5 million to a new total of $175,079,192. In addition, we achieved our highest level of charitable service in 2015, volunteering more than 73.5 million hours of service. The number of service hours contributed by Knights rose in 2015 by more than a million over the previous year’s total.

St. Thomas Council supports the caring cupboard, Violence Against Women Services, Salvation Army Kettle Campaign, Special Olympics and many many more.

For more information you can:
Visit the Knights of Columbus website here
or visit the local council website here 
St. Thomas Columbus Club information can be found here

Grand Knight: Marin Evers
Email: GK1467@ontariokofc.ca

Aylmer Council 
Grand Knight: Steve Blankenship

The Aylmer Council owns and maintains Columbus Park and makes it available to the East Elgin Soccer League, as well as the various high school teams. The council supports the Corner Cupboard, Fresh Start Maternity Support, St. Peter’s Seminary and its seminarians, Right to Life, Our Lady of Sorrows Parish and many more organizations through proceeds from the monthly brunches and our volunteer work at Jackpot City.

West Lorne Council
Grand Knight:  Will Huys