Knights of Columbus Council #12580
Our History
The Knights of Columbus (K of C) is a global Catholic fraternal service order founded by Fr. Michael J. McGivney on March 29, 1882. Membership is limited to practicing Catholic men. It is led by Patrick E. Kelly, the order's 14th Supreme Knight. The organization is named after the Italian explorer Christopher Columbus.
The organization was founded in March 1882 as a mutual benefit society for working-class and immigrant Catholics in the United States. In addition to providing an insurance system for its members, its charter states that it endeavors "to promote such social and intellectual intercourse among its members as shall be desirable and proper." It has grown to support refugee relief, Catholic education, local parishes and dioceses, and global Catholic social and political causes.
Join Us!
If you are interested in the Knights of Columbus organization, you can speak to any Knight after any of the masses at St John Vianney. Most Knights wear a maroon Knights of Columbus name tag. Any Knight will be able to help you, or, take your name and contact information and pass it on.
If you are interested in learning about what the Knights do, you can look at the Georgia website at www.gakofc.org or the national website at www.kofc.org. Once on the national website, explore What We Do and Who We Are. You can then click on the Join button to become a Knight of Columbus. Once you have filled out the form, a local member will contact you to complete the process and bring you into Council 12580.
Council 12580 supports many programs including:
Coats for Kids
Carry the Cross Seminarian Support
Fish Frys
Wheelchair Ramps
Special Olympics
Habitat for Humanity
Feed the Hungry Food Drives
Thanksgiving Dinner Distributions
Parish Support
Support of our Priests
The Backpack Program
Pancake Breakfasts
Operation Christmas free gift donations
Financial support of other parish ministries
Need to pay your dues? Make a donation? Purchase products?
Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest
The annual “Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest” is a fun and easy way for youth to express their faith as Advent and Christmas approach. This contest is open to youth in grades K – 8, broken down this year into five groups: students in grades K, 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, and grades 7 and 8. Students create their own poster on posterboard (or similar material) 11” x 17”. Each poster must reflect the Keep Christ in Christmas theme with a visual image. Each poster will be judged and cash prizes will be awarded to the best posters. First place in each group will receive $50. Second place will receive $30 and third place will receive $20.
All entries must be received in the Church Office no later than 12 noon on Thursday, November 20th. If an entry is mailed, it must be received by noontime on November 20th.
All questions should be directed to:
David Chamberlain
25-26 Knights of Columbus Catholic Citizenship
Essay Contest
The Knights of Columbus sponsors the Catholic Citizenship Essay Contest to encourage today’s youth to be more connected to their community and their faith. The goal of this program is to involve young Catholics in 8th through 12th grade in civic discourse and instill in them religious and life-affirming values…and to encourage youth to become citizens grounded in their faith through creative writing. (8th grade students only compete against other 8th grade student essays, etc. for grades 9, 10, 11, and 12.)
The essay should be approximately 500-750 words on this year’s topic. Entrants will be judged on grammar, style, and how clearly they present the theme – which should showcase creativity, imagination and overall development of the topic.
THE 2025 - 2026 ESSAY TOPIC:
“Out of 267 Popes who have led the Catholic Church, who are your three favorite Popes, and why?”
Contestants must completely fill out an entry form (available outside the kitchen). The essay and the entry form must be turned in at the church office before 12 Noon on Thursday, November 20th, 2025. If the essays are mailed, they must be received in the office no later than noon on November 20th. There will be two awards presented in each grade level (8th, 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th). First place is fifty dollars ($50) and second place will be thirty dollars ($30).
All questions should be directed to:
David Chamberlain
Backpack Food Program
School is starting back up and The Knights of Columbus Backpack Food program is restarting. The food is given to local students to ensure that they do not go hungry over the weekends. Please donate Peanut Butter, Jelly, Tuna Fish, Chicken, Mac and Cheese, Instant Noodles - Ramen, Soup, Ravioli, Chef Boyardee, Applesauce, Pop Tarts, and Fruit Cups. Place the items in the Back Pack Donation Box at near the kitchen.
Meet our Grand Knight
David Chamberlain is here to answer any questions you may have about becoming a Knight or about any of the services we offer.
David Chamberlain
Grand Knight
