In 1882, Father Michael J. McGivney gathered a small group of parishioners in St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Connecticut. His purpose was to establish a group of men, united in their faith, and to provide for Catholic families in times of need. This was the beginning of the Knights of Columbus.
Guided by the principles of charity, unity, and fraternity, members of the Knights of Columbus work to overcome the hardships that people face in their parishes and communities. We are a growing organization — nearly 2 million members — and for over 130 years, we have committed to overcome the challenges of the need for food, shelter, warm clothing and financial security, as well as provide aid for widows and orphans in our local communities. 
Three Hearts Council 16079 at St. Mary of Pine Bluff Catholic Church was established to give Catholic men the opportunity to strengthen the parish, give back to the community, grow in their faith and gain exclusive access to our portfolio of top-quality insurance products to financially protect their families.
Three Hearts Council and the more than 16,000 other local councils conduct programs that support parish life and the community, including prayer and Eucharistic adoration, the Coats for Kids and Food for Families programs, and encouraging vocations to the priesthood and religious life. The Knights of Columbus is organized around four important principles:
- Charity — Knights are followers of Christ and men of faith who are committed to easing the plight of the less fortunate.
- Unity — The earliest Knights stood shoulder to shoulder united against rampant anti-Catholicism. Today Knights stand united promoting religiously rooted moral values in a world that often forsakes those values.
- Fraternity — From its inception, the Knights of Columbus has helped members and their families with insurance and financial programs to ease times of grief and distress.
- Patriotism — The principal of the Fourth Degree, patriotism shows that Knights are proud, active citizens with a love for God and country.
Membership is open to practical Catholic men age 18 and older. To learn more or inquire about joining Council 16079, contact Brian McMichen.
