Who we are
On October 2, 1881, a small group of men met in the basement of St. Mary's Church on Hillhouse Avenue in New Haven, Connecticut, to discuss the formation of a fraternal benefit society. Convened at the request of Father Michael J. McGivney, a 29-year-old priest, this meeting marked the foundation of what has become the world's largest Catholic family fraternal service organization. Four months later they adopted the name "Knights Of Columbus." This was done to commemorate Columbus' discovery of America as a Catholic event. Today we are an international organization with over 11,000 councils through out the United States, Canada, Mexico along with several other countries and territories.
Why Columbus? In choosing Christopher Columbus as their patron the first Knights demonstrated their pride in America's Catholic heritage. To the Irish-American Catholics who incorporated the organization, the name Knights of Columbus evoked allegiance to the Church and affirmed the discovery of America as a Catholic event.
Here in Beaverton, we have been a council since 1972. Council #6266, currently draws from four of the Beaverton area parishes; St. Cecilia's, Holy Trinity, St. Pius X, and St. Elisabeth Ann Seton. We meet every third Tuesday in the St. Cecilia's Parish Center. The officers and directors meet at 7:00 P.M. with the membership beginning at 6:45 P.M. with the Holy Rosary followed by the business meeting. We Encourage all members to attend and assist in the guiding of the council.
What we offer
In a word, fraternity. More specifically, the Knights of Columbus offers the Catholic man and his family opportunities for leadership training through active involvement in a local our council; volunteer opportunities in the parish and community; low-cost life insurance; fraternal benefits like college scholarships and student loans for yourself, your wife and children; Columbia magazine; and so much more.
Membership in the Knights of Columbus offers our members and their family fellowship with like-minded Catholic families not only in our community and parish, but throughout this state, country, and even internationally.
Here in Beaverton, we offer you the opportunity to form lasting friendships along with being involved . We are a council that is in growing phase. You have the ability to be part of that growth as well as help shape the development of this council. By getting involved in the variety of volunteer service programs through the "Surge...with Service" program, you help protect and defend your family, Church and community against forces hostile to family life, civic values and the Church today.
Being a Knight of Columbus allows a man to offer an added measure of protection to his family. By availing himself of the Order's highly rated and financially sound insurance programs, he can protect his family against hard times or an untimely death and provide for the retirement of himself and his spouse.
A lot of groups promise to look out for your best interests, but the Knights of Columbus offers more - it looks after the best interests of society - and you can be a part of it. We've been "Protecting Families for Generations" and we'll continue to do so for generations to come with your support and involvement.
What we do
What we do at the local level is pretty much left up to the Council. If we see a problem that we believe we can muster the resources to solve, we attack it. No programs are mandated by the Supreme Council office, in New Haven, Connecticut. No funds raised here in Beaverton are sent to the Supreme Council. All funds raised stay helping causes local Knights want to help. The principal areas of volunteer involvement through our "Surge...with Service" program can be broken down into the following categories: Church, Community, Council, Family and Youth.
Currently we are involved with local right to life efforts as well as helping the Fransicans Missionary Sisters with our annual fund raising BBQ. We are also increasing our support of academics at our local Catholic Schools.