On March 29, 1882, the Connecticut state legislature officially chartered the Knights of Columbus, a fraternal benefit society founded by Father Michael J. McGivney with a group of parishioners in the basement of St. Mary’s Church in New Haven. Still true to its founding principles of charity, unity, and fraternity 125 years later, the Knights of Columbus has grown to the largest lay Catholic organization in the world with more than 1.7 million members.

Throughout its history, the Knights of Columbus has been an effective advocate and defender of civil and religious rights for all. The organization has also contributed billions of dollars and millions of hours of volunteer service to charity.
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