Knights of Columbus Membership

Knights are Catholic men, 18 years of age and older, who are committed to making their community a better place, while supporting their Church.  Being a Knight is more than camaraderie; it is being involved with your community; it is supporting your local Catholic Church, while enhancing your own faith; and it is about protecting and enhancing your family life.


Types of Membership

Catholic men 18 years of age or older who join the Knights belong to a "Council", or local unit.  Many 18 to 22 year olds first join the Knights of Columbus in a college council.  Members who have been in the Knights for a minimum of six months and have attained Third Degree membership are eligible to join the Fourth Degree Knights. 


How to Join

If you are a practical Catholic man, age 18 or older, we welcome you to join this leading organization of Catholic laymen.  You will be asked to fill out a Form 100 and to submit to an interview to confirm your eligibility.  Afterwards your application will be voted upon.  Your path to Knighthood begins with an investiture ceremony called the "First Degree".  There are three degrees, each one a lesson.  They are on Charity, Unity and Fraternity.  A fully vested Knight has participated in all of the degrees and is known as a Third Degree Knight.  There is a Fourth Degree, that of Patriotism, and passage entitles one to membership in a separate, but related, organization called an Assembly.

For more information, please e-mail us at Membership@KofC9282.org.  You can also click here to contact us online. 


Prospective Member Q & A

1. I don't have time to join another organization; why should I join the Knights of Columbus?
As a Knight, you can choose the projects with which you wish to be involved in your own community.  What is more, the Order is dedicated to family life and the many benefits it offers.  From insurance to scholarships to service and social activities and programs, all are open to the whole family.

2. What are the requirements?
Membership requirements are that he be a practical Catholic gentleman, who is 18 years of age or older.

3. What is a practical Catholic?
A practical Catholic is one who is in union with the Holy See and who practices the precepts of the Catholic Church.

4. What are the Degrees?
There are four degrees within the Knights of Columbus.  Each degree ceremony imparts a lesson on the Order's core virtues of Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism.

5. Do I have to purchase Insurance to become a member?
No.  Unlike many fraternal organizations, one does not become a member by purchasing insurance.  In the Knights of Columbus, a man has to be a member before he may avail himself of the insurance benefit.  Purchasing insurance is optional.  However, the life insurance and long-term care insurance products offered by the Order are not only competitively priced, but they are among the most solid and highly rated products available anywhere.  Standard & Poor's and A.M. Best, the leading independent agencies that rate insurance companies, consistently give K of C insurance their highest ratings.

6. Is there a local Knights of Columbus Council?
Yes.  Saint Stephen Council #9282 is located in Old Hickory, TN and is affiliated with Saint Stephen Catholic Church in Old Hickory, TN.  Our current membership is just under the 200 mark. 

7. Where can I get more information about the Saint Stephen Knights of Columbus Council?
Notices and informational news are contained in our monthly Council Newsletter which is sent to members by e-mail and is also available on this site.  There is also an online Calendar of Events which also contains current event information.  To speak with a member or to get more information about the Saint Stephen Knights of Columbus Council, please e-mail us at Membership@KofC9282.org.  You can also click here to contact us directly online.  We look forward to hearing from you.