The Knights of Columbus were founded in 1881 by Father Michael J. McGivney in New Haven, Connecticut as a fraternal benefit society to provide support for members and their families during a time when Catholics were persecuted heavily.

The Order was founded not only to provide support for its members, but also for the opportunity to purchase life insurance for themselves and their families (a purchase which was often denied to Catholics), as well as to promote social and intellectual fellowship through relief works in education, charity, religion, social welfare, war relief, and public relief.

In our own parish, the St. James Council #2299 was originally founded in 1921 but was dissolved during the Great Depression. The Council would not be re-instituted until 1984.

Prior to 1921, a fraternal society similar to the Knights of Columbus, known as the Knights of St. John, was active within the parish from the 1880's to the 1920's, when the switch to the Knights of Columbus was made.

While originally named St. John Council, the name was changed shortly after the re-institution in 1984 in honor of James O'Donnell, who was the first of the local members to pass away. James was a husband, father, local businessman, and active Knight who was well-known, liked, and respected throughout the community.

"They sought strength in solidarity and security through unity of purpose and devotion to a holy cause: they vowed to be defenders of their country, their families, and their faith."