Branford Elks Lodge, 158 S Montowese St, Branford, CT 06405, US

Father Michael J. McGivney, assistant pastor of St. Mary's Church in New Haven, founded the Knights of Columbus in March 1882. Its mission was to provide help to those members in need but has since expanded to provide aid to a variety of causes. The Knights of Columbus is now a worldwide organization, and Fr. McGivney is being considered for sainthood. There are now more than 14,000 councils and 1.8 million members throughout the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, Poland, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Cuba, Guatemala, Guam and Saipan. The organization runs an insurance business for its members, with headquarters in downtown New Haven. It also operates the Knights of Columbus Museum nearby its New Haven headquarters.