Who are the Knights?
The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic family fraternal service organization with 1.6 million members. It provides members and their families with volunteer opportunities in service to the Catholic Church, their communities, families and young people.

Award Winning 4th Degree Color Guard!

Benefite
Columbia - October 2009
As a member of the Knights of Columbus you and your family enjoy many benefits, including 12 free issues annually of the Columbia magazine, the world's largest Catholic family magazine, eligibility to join the Knights of Columbus top-ranked life insurance program, andmany more family and personal benefits. Now you can read the Columbia magazine online from the Supreme website! 

Our council hosts a large number of council activities throughout the year. Among the many events that we support is the “Keep Christ in Christmas” card sales and in early spring, we sell flowers on “Daffodil Days” whose proceeds support the American Cancer Association. Our Council also supports the road clean-up campaign on MD Route 27 and Hanover Pike.  We participate in the Tootsie Roll campaign that raises money for the ARC, a local organization that provides services to the mentally handicapped citizens of Carroll County.

Annual activities include: St. Patrick’s Day Dinner, Super Bowl Party,Children’s and Adult Christmas Party, Religious Appreciation Dinner, Family Bingo, Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, Council Memorial Mass, and Winterfest to name a few.

How To Join
Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to practicing Catholic men in union with the Holy See, who are at least 18 years old. Apracticing Catholic is one who lives up to the Commandments of God and the precepts of the Church. Application blanks are available from any member of the Knights of Columbus.

Contact our Membership Director Charlie Kohl our our Worthy Insurance Agent Tony Viscardi for more information about becoming a member today.

4th Degree 
4th Degree Emblem
Any Third Degree member ingood standing, one year after the anniversary of his First Degree, is eligible for membership in the Fourth Degree. The primary purpose ofthe Fourth Degree is to foster the spirit of patriotism by promoting responsible citizenship and a love of and loyalty to the Knights' respective countries through active membership in local Fourth Degree groups (called "assemblies"). Certain members of the Fourth Degree serve as honor guards at civic and religious functions, an activity that has brought worldwide recognition to the Knights of Columbus.

Squires
Squires Emblem
Under the guidance of Christian Brother Barnabas McDonald (1865-1929), the first Columbian Squires circle was instituted in 1925. Membership in the Squires is for Catholic boys between the ages of 10 and 17. Squires' activities are many, varying from spiritual to active service for the Church and community. Each circle elects officer members from their own rank, teaching skills of leadership and responsibility.

St. Bartholomew's has recently instituted a Squire's circle. Contact Pat MacGregor for more information.

Council Information

   The Knights of Columbus is a Fraternal Organization for Catholic men guided by the principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism.  It was founded on March 29, 1882 by Father Michael McGivney at St. Mary’s Church in New Haven Connecticut.  The Knights were originally formed to render financial aid to members and their families.  Mutual aid and assistance are offered to sick, disabled and needy members and their families.  Social and intellectual fellowship is promoted among members and their families through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief and public relief works.  Our Council has a very active role in our parish and our community and we encourage all Catholic men to join our organization and be active in the council.  You can contact us by e-mail at alexfielding [at] comcast [dot] net.

Council Meetings
   Our Council meets at 8 PM on the first and third Thursdays of every month at St. Bartholomew’s Parish Center.  Click this link to find the Parish Center on a map.

About Our Council
   St. Bartholomew’s Council was instituted November 21st, 1985 to serve the Hampstead and Manchester Community.