On 5 October 1919, Patrick Joseph O’Callaghan, an Irish immigrant from Cork, gathered 24 Catholic men at Central Hall, Bath Street, Glasgow. Together, they agreed to form a fraternal organisation: the Knights of St Columba. Today, the Order has thousands of members from a wide range of nationalities, backgrounds and ages.
The Knights of St Columba is an Order of Catholic laymen dedicated to serving the Church and their fellow brothers and sisters. As a non-political organisation, we support the mission of the Roman Catholic Church while working for the spiritual and material well-being of our members and their families.
In accordance with the social teachings of the Catholic Church, we work for the moral and social welfare of our country, with a particular focus on helping young people develop in the likeness of Christ.
We strive to achieve these aims through the fundamental virtues of Charity, Unity and Fraternity. Faith, Family and Fraternity are the core principles that bind us together.
Our commitment to serving others is reflected in our work to raise tens of thousands of pounds for pro-life charities, the hospice movement and our National Action Projects→.
Our members organise fundraising activities, social events, stewarding, youth competitions and much more. By working together for the common good, we strengthen our communities and build lasting friendships.
Across the UK, our network of local Councils, Provinces and Regions brings members together with a shared purpose: to serve God by serving others.
The International Alliance of Catholic Knights
The Knights of St Columba is a founding member of the International Alliance of Catholic Knights (IACK), established in Glasgow on 12 October 1979. The Alliance brings together eleven member organisations.
All members of IACK support the doctrine of the Catholic Church and foster cooperation with other Catholic international organisations. Through this alliance, the Knights of St Columba forms part of a wider international fellowship committed to the Catholic faith and to working together in support of the Church's mission.
