Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus
Incumbent
Patrick E. Kelly
since March 1, 2021 (2021-03-01)
StyleSupreme Knight
Status
AbbreviationSK
Member ofKnights of Columbus
ResidenceUnited States
Term lengthAt their discretion; mandatory retirement at age 70
FormationFebruary 2, 1882; 142 years ago (1882-02-02)
First holderJames T. Mullen
Websitekofc.org/en/who-we-are/our-supreme-officers/supreme-knight.html

The Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus (more simply referred to as the Supreme Knight) is the title of the chairman of the board and chief executive officer of the Knights of Columbus. The organization comprises approximately 1.9 million members in more than 15,000 councils and operates an insurance company with over $109 billion of life insurance in force, as of 2020.[1][2]

Since its founding in 1882, there have been 14 Supreme Knights.[3] Patrick E. Kelly is the Supreme Knight incumbent, holding this position since March 1, 2021.


Supreme Knight[4] Deputy Supreme Knight[4] Supreme Chaplain[4]
# Office holder Portrait Term began Term ended Office holder Term Office holder Term
1 James T. Mullen February 2, 1882 May 17, 1886 John T. Kerrigan[5] 1882–1884 Rev. Patrick P. Lawlor 1882–1884
John F. Dowling[6] 1884–1886 Rev. Michael J. McGivney[6] 1884–1890
2 John J. Phelan[7] May 17, 1886 March 2, 1897 William Hassett[7] 1886–1887
James C. Roach 1887–1895
Rev. Hugh Treanor 1891–1899
James E. Hayes 1895–1897
3 James E. Hayes March 2, 1897 February 8, 1898 John J. Cone[8] 1897–1898
4 John J. Cone March 2, 1898 March 31, 1899 Vacant
5 Edward L. Hearn April 1, 1899 August 31, 1909 John W. Hogan[9][10] April 1, 1899–June 3, 1903 Rev. Garrett J. Barry 1899–1901
Rev. Patrick J. McGivney[11][12] 1901–1928
Patrick L. McArdle[10][13] June 3, 1903[10]–1905
James A. Flaherty[14] 1905–1909
6 James A. Flaherty[12][15] September 1, 1909 August 31, 1927 Martin H. Carmody[12] 1909–1927
7 Martin H. Carmody[12][16] September 1, 1927 August 31, 1939 John F. Martin[12][17] 1927–1933
Rev. John J. McGivney[12][17] 1928–1939
Francis P. Matthews[16] 1933–1939
8 Francis P. Matthews[17] September 2, 1939 October 14, 1945 John E. Swift 1939–1945 Rev. Leo M. Finn[17][18] 1939–1960
9 John E. Swift[19][20] October 24, 1945 August 31, 1953 Timothy P. Galvin 1945–1949
William J. Mulligan[20][21] 1949–1960
10 Luke E. Hart September 1, 1953 February 19, 1964
John W. McDevitt[21][22] 1960–1964 Bishop Charles P. Greco[23][18] 1961–January 20, 1987
11 John W. McDevitt February 22, 1964 January 21, 1977 John H. Griffin, MD[22][24] 1964–1966
Charles J. Ducey[25][26] 1966–April 1976
Ernest J. Wolff[26] 1976–1977
12 Virgil C. Dechant January 21, 1977 September 30, 2000 Frederick H. Pelletier[26][27] 1977–1981
John M. Murphy 1981–1984
Ellis D. Flinn[28] 1984–February 1, 1997
Bishop Thomas V. Daily[29] February 13, 1987–April 1, 2005
Robert F. Wade[30] April 1, 1997–September 30, 2000
13 Carl A. Anderson October 1, 2000 February 28, 2021 Jean B. Migneault[31] October 1, 2000–October 27, 2006
Archbishop William E. Lori[32] April 2, 2005–present
Dennis A. Savoie[33][34] October 27, 2006–December 2013
Logan T. Ludwig[35] December 12, 2013–December 16, 2016
Patrick E. Kelly[35] January 1, 2017–February 28, 2021
14 Patrick E. Kelly March 1, 2021 present Paul O'Sullivan[36] June 9, 2021–present


References

  1. ^ Annual report 2020
  2. ^ KofC About Us
  3. ^ "History of the Knights - Supreme Knights". Knights of Columbus Supreme Council. Retrieved January 25, 2011.
  4. ^ a b c Knights of Columbus archives (December 3, 2018). "Knights of Columbus Supreme Officers". Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  5. ^ Kauffman 1982, p. 18.
  6. ^ a b Kauffman 1982, pp. 40–41.
  7. ^ a b Kauffman 1982, p. 61.
  8. ^ Kauffman 1982, p. 103.
  9. ^ Kauffman 1982, p. 131.
  10. ^ a b c "National Council, K of C., Increases Issue. Next Convention Will Be Held in Louisville". The Boston Globe. June 4, 1903. p. 3.
  11. ^ "The Life and Legacy of Father Michael J. McGivney" (PDF). Knights of Columbus. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  12. ^ a b c d e f Kauffman 1982, p. 287.
  13. ^ Dodge 1903, p. 9; Kauffman 1982, p. 114.
  14. ^ "History of the Uniontown Council No. 1275". Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  15. ^ "First Michigan Man to be Elected Supreme Knight". The Augustinian. Vol. XXXV, no. 87. Kalamzaoo, Michigan. August 20, 1927. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  16. ^ a b "K. of C. Pledge support for NRA". The Bulletin. Vol. XIV, no. 16. Augusta, Ga. August 26, 1933. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  17. ^ a b c d Kauffman 1982, p. 338.
  18. ^ a b Kauffman 1982, p. 394.
  19. ^ Kauffman 1982, p. 357.
  20. ^ a b "Swift Appoints Mulligan Deputy Supreme Knight". The Boston Globe. May 21, 1949. p. 2. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  21. ^ a b "K. of C Re-elect* Hart Supreme Knight". The Berkshire Eagle. Pittsfield, Massachusetts. October 22, 1960. p. 5. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  22. ^ a b "HON. JOHN H. GRIFFIN, M.D., K.S.G., K.H.S." (PDF). Knights of Columbus Maryland State Council. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  23. ^ "Bishop Charles P. Greco" (PDF). Louisiana Ladies Auxiliary Association. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  24. ^ Jordan, Robert (March 1, 1964). "New Chief of Knights Led Waltham Schools". The Boston Globe. p. 54. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  25. ^ "McDevitt is reelected as KC head". New Orleans Clarion Herald. October 27, 1966. p. 2. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  26. ^ a b c Kauffman 1982, p. 417.
  27. ^ "Local Delegates at K of C Convention". Hanover Evening Sun. May 21, 1979. p. 14. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  28. ^ "ORDER MOURNS THE PASSING OF FORMER DEPUTY SUPREME KNIGHT". Knights of Columbus. April 11, 2013. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  29. ^ "KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS MOURNS THE PASSING OF SUPREME CHAPLAIN EMERITUS". Knights of Columbus. May 15, 2017. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  30. ^ "Annual Report of Supreme Knight Virgil C. Dechant". Chuck Hauger. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  31. ^ Anderson, Carl A. (September 11, 2008). "SUPREME KNIGHT'S EULOGY FOR JEAN MIGNEAULT". Knights of Columbus. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  32. ^ "ARCHBISHOP WILLIAM E. LORI, S.T.D. SUPREME CHAPLAIN OF THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS". Knights of Columbus. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  33. ^ Gosgnach, Tony (August 30, 2007). "Q and A with: Dennis Savoie". The Interim. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
  34. ^ Gyapong, Deborah (February 27, 2015). "Ambassador settles in to new role in Rome". The B.C. Catholic. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
  35. ^ a b "Patrick E. Kelly". Knights of Columbus. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  36. ^ Burger, John (June 14, 2021). "Supreme Knight installed, calls for "guardians of truth"". Aletia. Retrieved August 5, 2022.

Bibliography

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