About Us
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Members of the Exempli
KEEPING CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS
2025 BEL AIR CHRISTMAS PARADE
Our History and Legacy
Founded on the principles of charity, unity and fraternity, the Knights of Columbus was established in 1882 by Father Michael J. McGivney, assistant pastor of St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Conn., and a group of parishioners. Their intent? To bring financial aid and assistance to the sick, disabled and needy members and their families.
Fr. Michael J. McGivney was a visionary American Catholic priest and the founder of the Knights of Columbus, born on August 12, 1852 in Waterbury, Connecticut. He was the eldest of 13 children in an Irish immigrant family, and his early experiences with poverty and loss deeply shaped his pastoral mission.
His Mission
Ordained in 1877, he served at St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, where he witnessed the struggles of Catholic families, especially when fathers died young. In response, he founded the Knights of Columbus in 1882 as a mutual aid and fraternal insurance society to support widows and orphans. His goal was to strengthen Catholic faith, protect families, and empower laymen to live out their faith in service and fraternity.
Path to Sainthood
Fr. McGivney died of pneumonia at just 38 years old, on August 14, 1890.
In 2020, Pope Francis approved a miracle attributed to his intercession, leading to his beatification on October 31, 2020, making him Blessed Michael McGivney. He is the first U.S. parish priest to be beatified, and his cause for canonization continues today.
Legacy
His vision has grown into the world’s largest Catholic fraternal organization, with over 2 million members worldwide. He is revered as a Protector of Christian Family Life, a model of Catholic manhood, and a champion of lay leadership.
The Knights of Columbus
Organizational Hierarchy
The Knights of Columbus is structured like a layered tapestry—each level woven with purpose, tradition, and service. Here’s a breakdown of its organizational hierarchy:
Supreme Council
Located in New Haven, Connecticut, led by the Supreme Knight (think CEO).
The function of the Supreme Council is to oversee global operations, sets strategic direction, and manage insurance programs. The Supreme Council consists of Supreme Officers, Past Supreme Knights, State Deputies, and elected delegates.
State Councils
With over 75 jurisdictions worldwide (50 states, territories and other countries), the State Councils are managed by a State Deputy and other officers (Chaplain, Secretary, Treasurer, Advocate, Warden). The State Councils coordinate activities across districts and support local councils, such as this one.
Districts
Each state is divided into districts, grouping several local councils. The districts are managed by a District Deputy, assisted by a District Warden. The District Deputy guides councils, oversees degree ceremonies, and installs officers.
Local Councils
Most are parish-based, though some have independent halls (as we do). Councils are managed by a group of officers, such as:
Grand Knight (chief officer)
Deputy Grand Knight
Chancellor
Recorder
Financial Secretary
Treasurer
Advocate
Warden
Inside/Outside Guards
Lecturer
Trustees
The function of the local council is to implement programs tailored to local needs, from charity to faith formation while supporting the parish or parishes they align with. The Bel Air Council supports the parishes of St. Mark in Fallston and St. Margaret in Bel Air as well as St. Mary Magdalen Mission, also in Bel Air.
Fourth Degree Assemblies
The “patriotic arm” of the Knights of Columbus is the Fourth Degree. The Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus is the highest level of membership, embodying the principle of Patriotism. It was established in 1900 to affirm that Catholic men could be both faithful to their Church and loyal citizens of their country. The structure of the Fourth Degree is called an Assembly, which is grouped by districts and provinces, and are governed nationally, independently of the Councils.
Unite in faith and brotherhood with the Bel Air Knights of Columbus Council 4714.
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