Knights of Columbus

The Knights of Columbus are Catholic gentlemen committed to the exemplification of charity, unity, fraternity, patriotism, and defense of the priesthood. The Order is consecrated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and unequivocal in its loyalty to the Pope, the Vicar of Christ on earth. It is firmly committed to the protection of human life, from conception to natural death, and to the preservation and defense of the family. It was on these bedrock principles that the Order was founded over a century ago and remains true to them today.

Council 11353 serves Saint Vincent's parish, working to fulfill the central mission of the Order: striving in charitable works; serving the Church and unified in following its teachings; supporting brother Knights in their temporal and spiritual needs; acting for the good of their country; and giving aid to widows, orphans, the sick and the poor. This is Father McGivney's dream, echoing across the century, and living today in the hearts of his brothers and all of those they touch.

Council Information

The Saint Vincent Council of the Knights of Columbus is located on the campus of the Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church at 1502 East Wallen Road, Fort Wayne, IN. You can contact the Knights by phone at 260-750-6836, by mail at 1536 Tulip Tree Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46825 or by emailing Bruce Cadwell at beecad@aol.com.

Council Meetings

Council Meetings are held twice a month. The Officers' meeting is held on the 1st Wednesday of the month starting at 7:00 pm.
The General Membership meeting is held on the 3rd Wed of the month: Dinner at 6:30 pm, Rosary at 7:10 pm followed by the meeting at 7:30 pm. All meetings are usually held in the Spiritual Center. When there is a conflict we meet in the Parish Hall.  All members are encouraged to attend this meeting and take an active part in the council business.

About Our Council

Our Saint Vincent Council of the Knights of Columbus was founded in May 1994. The Saint Vincent Council works closely with the Saint Vincent de Paul parish community providing funds and manpower for various projects.

Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to practicing Catholic men in union with the Holy See (receiving the sacraments), who are at least 18 years old. A practicing Catholic is one who lives the Commandments of God and the precepts of the Church. Applications are available from any member of the Knights of Columbus.

Men interested in joining the Knights of Columbus at St. Vincent are asked to contact any Knights of Columbus member or our Membership Chairman Buddy Weihe at 260-627-2256, evenings.

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, and many more family and personal benefits.

4th Degree

Any Third Degree member in good standing, one year after the anniversary of his First Degree exemplification, is eligible for membership in the Fourth Degree. The primary purpose of the 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.