Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus

Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus
since March 1, 2021 (2021-03-01)
StyleSupreme Knight
Status
AbbreviationSK
Member ofKnights of Columbus
ResidenceUnited States
Term lengthAt their discretion; mandatory retirement at age 70
FormationFebruary 2, 1882 (1882-02-02)
First holderJames T. Mullen
Websitekofc.org/en/who-we-are/our-supreme-officers/supreme-knight.html

The Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus (more simply referred to as the Supreme Knight) is the title of the chairman of the board and chief executive officer of the Knights of Columbus. The organization comprises approximately 1.9 million members in more than 15,000 councils and operates an insurance company with over $109 billion of life insurance in force, as of 2020.

Since its founding in 1882, there have been 14 Supreme Knights. Patrick E. Kelly is the Supreme Knight incumbent, holding this position since March 1, 2021.


Supreme Knight Deputy Supreme Knight Supreme Chaplain
# Office holder Portrait Term began Term ended Office holder Term Office holder Term
1 James T. Mullen March 29, 1882 May 17, 1886 John T. Kerrigan 1882–1884 Rev. Patrick P. Lawlor 1882–1884
John F. Dowling 1884–1886 Rev. Michael J. McGivney 1884–1890
2 John J. Phelan May 17, 1886 March 2, 1897 William Hassett 1886–1887
James C. Roach 1887–1895
Rev. Hugh Treanor 1891–1899
James E. Hayes 1895–1897
3 James E. Hayes March 2, 1897 February 8, 1898 John J. Cone 1897–1898
4 John J. Cone March 2, 1898 March 31, 1899 Vacant
5 Edward L. Hearn April 1, 1899 August 31, 1909 John W. Hogan April 1, 1899–June 3, 1903 Rev. Garrett J. Barry 1899–1901
Rev. Patrick J. McGivney 1901–1928
Patrick L. McArdle June 3, 1903–1905
James A. Flaherty 1905–1909
6 James A. Flaherty September 1, 1909 August 31, 1927 Martin H. Carmody 1909–1927
7 Martin H. Carmody September 1, 1927 August 31, 1939 John F. Martin 1927–1933
Rev. John J. McGivney 1928–1939
Francis P. Matthews 1933–1939
8 Francis P. Matthews September 2, 1939 October 14, 1945 John E. Swift 1939–1945 Rev. Leo M. Finn 1939–1960
9 John E. Swift October 24, 1945 August 31, 1953 Timothy P. Galvin 1945–1949
William J. Mulligan 1949–1960
10 Luke E. Hart September 1, 1953 February 19, 1964
John W. McDevitt 1960–1964 Bishop Charles P. Greco 1961–January 20, 1987
11 John W. McDevitt February 22, 1964 January 21, 1977 John H. Griffin, MD 1964–1966
Charles J. Ducey 1966–April 1976
Ernest J. Wolff 1976–1977
12 Virgil C. Dechant January 21, 1977 September 30, 2000 Frederick H. Pelletier 1977–1981
John M. Murphy 1981–1984
Ellis D. Flinn 1984–February 1, 1997
Bishop Thomas V. Daily February 13, 1987–April 1, 2005
Robert F. Wade April 1, 1997–September 30, 2000
13 Carl A. Anderson October 1, 2000 February 28, 2021 Jean B. Migneault October 1, 2000–October 27, 2006
Archbishop William E. Lori April 2, 2005–present
Dennis A. Savoie October 27, 2006–December 2013
Logan T. Ludwig December 12, 2013–December 16, 2016
Patrick E. Kelly January 1, 2017–February 28, 2021
14 Patrick E. Kelly March 1, 2021 present Paul O'Sullivan June 9, 2021–July 1, 2023
Arthur L. Peters July 1, 2023-present