The Knights of Columbus was founded by Father Michael J. McGivney in 1882 in New Haven, Connecticut. This fraternal organization of Catholic Men became steadfast in their faith to support the Catholic Church and provide for the widows and children of their brothers. At that time, young men were dying at an early age due to unhealthy working conditions. Today, the Knights of Columbus is a world-wide organization with over 1.9 Million members.
In the summer of 1995, 30 dedicated men of St. Jude the Apostle Parish established the Jacksonville Council 11604. Since it’s founding, this council has become recognized as one of the top performing councils in the State.
Accolades include:
One International (Supreme Council) Service award
Eight Arkansas State Family of the Year awards
Six Arkansas State Knight of the Year awards
Six Arkansas State Council of the Year awards
Eighteen Star Council (performance) awards
Two Double Star Council (performance) awards
The council has over 200 members from Jacksonville, Cabot, and other communities in the area. During 2017, the Council donated over $15,660 to Charities, Activities and Organizations such as Pathfinders, local lunch programs in elementary schools, Pregnancy Resource Centers, Mobile Medical Unit, Homeless Vets Programs, Jacksonville Care Channel, Catholic schools and Seminarian support. We also display the American Flags in areas of Jacksonville during Patriotic holidays. We have volunteered well over 26,000 man-hours (equivalent to 12 Full-time Jobs) supporting our Church, Community, Council, Families, Youth, and Right-to-Life programs.
Organizations affiliated with Council 11604 are the Bishop Edward Fitzgerald Assembly 2642 (4
th Degree), which focuses on Patriotic activities, and the Ladies of the Knights (our outstanding women’s group) who are dedicated to supporting hospitalized Veterans, Women’s programs, and Right-to-Life programs.
Our mission is Faith In Action, and our principles focus on Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism. We invite Catholic Gentlemen to join our quest to help good men become better.
For more information, contact Grand Knight Gregory Deen
(501-231-9391 / [email protected])