Who We Are

The Iowa Knights of Columbus is the world's largest lay Catholic organization, with more than 1.7 million members around the world. The order was founded 125 years ago in 1882 by Father Michael J. McGivney at St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Connecticut. The original intent to provide welfare and security for families during times of sickness and death has grown so that last year, Knights donated more than 68 million hours of volunteer time and $143 million to charity. The order is currently headed by Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson.

The first council to be instituted in Iowa was Council 510 in Dubuque on Sunday, April 29, 1900. Later that year Davenport Council 532 was started on September 30, 1900. The Knights of Columbus spread across the state of Iowa and steadily grew to more than 31,000 members in over 200 local councils. Brother Knights undertake numerous works of Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism in their communities & parishes. Fr. McGivney's dream of having a council in every parish is close to becoming a reality in Iowa.

The Iowa Jurisdiction is under the direction of State Deputy Patrick T. O'Keefe of Des Moines who is the chief executive officer and representative of the supreme knight for the Order in Iowa. The Knights work on a broad range of projects for their Church, Community, Council, Family and Youth. Membership in the Knights of Columbus is available to all practicing Catholic men 18 or older.