The Knights of Columbus was founded in 1882 by Fr. Michael McGivney, an assistant pastor at St. Mary's Church in New Haven, CT. Dangerous working conditions and hostility towards immigrants often left Catholic families fatherless and destitute, so Fr. McGivney proposed founding a Catholic fraternal society to unite working men in their Catholic faith and establish a brotherhood that would care for the family of deceased Brothers. Today, the Knights of Columbus boasts more than 2 million members from over 17,000 councils across 17 nations, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Poland, and the Philippines. Fr. McGivney was beatified in 2020, making him a potential candidate for sainthood.

     The Knights of Columbus (KofC) is governed by the Supreme Council at an international level, State Councils at a statewide level, and local councils at the community level. There are also local "assemblies" specifically for Knights with a Fourth Degree membership, which aim to foster patriotism, responsible citizenship, and a love of and loyalty to country.

     The KofC is a Catholic service fraternity -- dedicated to supporting communities across the globe -- and a benefits society that offers insurance policies and protections to Knights of all ages. For more information, check out the official KofC website below.

        The Knights of Columbus is open to any baptized, practicing Catholic man, 18 years of age or older, in union with the Holy See. A practicing Catholic is one who lives up to the Commandments of God and the precepts of the Church.

     The RPI Knights of Columbus (Council #13635) was started in October, 2004. We work closely with the Christ Sun of Justice Parish in Troy by providing funds for various projects, being active members in their parishes, and participating in Catholic fraternal events throughout the academic year.

     Our council participates in a number of service, fraternal, and spiritual activities during the school year. Our work includes serving meals at Joseph's House, providing funds to local charities and pregnancy centers, running monthly masses at the C+CC, and hosting monthly rosary prayer sessions.