View source for Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus

{{Short description|Head of the Knights of Columbus}}

{{Infobox official post
| post = Supreme Knight
| body = the [[Knights of Columbus]]
| insignia = 
| insigniasize = 120
| insigniacaption = [[Knights of Columbus|Knights of Columbus seal]]
| image = 
| incumbent = [[Patrick E. Kelly]]
| incumbentsince = {{Start date|2021|03|01}}
| style = Supreme Knight
| status = {{plainlist|
* [[Chief executive officer]]
* [[Chairperson|Chairman of the board]] 
}}
| abbreviation = SK
| member_of = [[Knights of Columbus]]
| residence = [[United States]]
| nominator = 
| appointer = 
| termlength = At their discretion; mandatory retirement at age 70
| formation = {{Start date and age|1882|02|02}}
| first = [[James T. Mullen]]
| website = {{URL|http://kofc.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|chairman of the board]] and [[chief executive officer]] of the [[Knights of Columbus]]. The organization comprises approximately 1.9&nbsp;million members in more than 15,000 councils and operates an insurance company with over $109&nbsp;billion of life insurance in force, {{as of|2020|lc=y}}.<ref>[https://www.kofc.org/en/news/releases/supreme-knight-delivers-annual-report.html Annual report 2020]</ref><ref>[https://www.kofc.org/en/todays-knights/about-us.html KofC About Us]</ref>

Since its founding in 1882, there have been 14 Supreme Knights.<ref name=history/> [[Patrick E. Kelly]] is the Supreme Knight incumbent, holding this position since March 1, 2021.

<onlyinclude>
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="5" | Supreme Knight<ref name=officers/> !! colspan="2" | Deputy Supreme Knight<ref name=officers/> !! colspan="2" | Supreme Chaplain<ref name=officers/>  
|-
! # !! Office holder !! Portrait !! Term began !! Term ended !! Office holder !! Term !! Office holder !! Term
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1 || rowspan="2" |[[James T. Mullen]]|| rowspan="2" |[[File:James T. Mullen.jpg|165px]] || rowspan="2" | March 29, 1882 || rowspan="2" | May 17, 1886 || John T. Kerrigan{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=18}} || 1882–1884 || Rev. Patrick P. Lawlor || 1882–1884
|-
| John F. Dowling{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|pp=40-41}} || 1884–1886 || rowspan="3" | Rev. [[Michael J. McGivney]]{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|pp=40-41}} || rowspan="3" | 1884–1890
|-
| rowspan="4" | 2 || rowspan="4" |[[John J. Phelan]]{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=61}} || rowspan="4" |[[File:John J. Phelan.jpg|165px]] || rowspan="4" | May 17, 1886 || rowspan="4" | March 2, 1897 ||[[William Hassett]]{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=61}} || 1886–1887
|-
| rowspan="2" | James C. Roach || rowspan="2" | 1887–1895
|-
| rowspan="4" | Rev. Hugh Treanor || rowspan="4" | 1891–1899
|-
| James E. Hayes || 1895–1897
|-
| 3 ||[[James E. Hayes]]||[[File:James E. Hayes.jpg|165px]] || March 2, 1897 || February 8, 1898 || John J. Cone{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=103}} || 1897–1898 
|-
| 4 ||[[John J. Cone]]||[[File:John J. Cone.jpg|165px]] || March 2, 1898 || March 31, 1899 || Vacant || 
|-
| rowspan="4" | 5 || rowspan="4" |[[Edward L. Hearn]] || rowspan="4" |[[File:Edward L. Hearn.jpg|165px]] || rowspan="4" | April 1, 1899 || rowspan="4" | August 31, 1909 || rowspan="2" |[[John W. Hogan]]{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=131}}<ref name=issue/>|| rowspan="2" | April 1, 1899–June 3, 1903|| Rev. Garrett J. Barry || 1899–1901
|-
| rowspan="5" | Rev. Patrick J. McGivney<ref name=legacy/>{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=287}} || rowspan="5" | 1901–1928
|-
| Patrick L. McArdle<ref name=issue/>{{sfnm |1a1=Dodge |1y=1903 |1p=9 |2a1=Kauffman |2y=1982 |2p=114}} || June 3, 1903<ref name=issue/>–1905 
|-
| James A. Flaherty<ref name=uniontown/> || 1905–1909 
|-
| 6 ||[[James A. Flaherty]]{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=287}}<ref name=heads/>||[[File:James A. Flaherty.jpg|165px]] || September 1, 1909 || August 31, 1927 || Martin H. Carmody{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=287}} || 1909–1927 
|-
| rowspan="3" | 7 || rowspan="3" |[[Martin H. Carmody]]{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=287}}<ref name=pledge/> || rowspan="3" | [[File:Martin H. Carmody, 1933.jpg|165px]]  || rowspan="3" | September 1, 1927 || rowspan="3" | August 31, 1939 || rowspan="2" | John F. Martin{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=287}}{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=338}} || rowspan="2" | 1927–1933
|-
| rowspan="2" | Rev. John J. McGivney{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=287}}{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=338}} || rowspan="2" | 1928–1939
|-
| Francis P. Matthews<ref name=pledge/> || 1933–1939
|-
| 8 ||[[Francis P. Matthews]]{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=338}}||[[File:Francis P. Matthews.jpg|165px]] || September 2, 1939 || October 14, 1945 || John E. Swift || 1939–1945 || rowspan="4" | Rev. Leo M. Finn{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=338}}{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=394}} || rowspan="4" | 1939–1960
|-
| rowspan="2" | 9 || rowspan="2" |[[John E. Swift]]{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=357}}<ref name=mulligan/>|| rowspan="2" |  || rowspan="2" | October 24, 1945 || rowspan="2" | August 31, 1953 ||[[Timothy Galvin|Timothy P. Galvin]]|| 1945–1949
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[William J. Mulligan]]<ref name=mulligan/><ref name=eagle/>|| rowspan="2" | 1949–1960
|-
| rowspan="2" | 10 || rowspan="2" |[[Luke E. Hart]]|| rowspan="2" |[[File:Luke E. Hart (cropped).jpg|165px]] || rowspan="2" | September 1, 1953 || rowspan="2" | February 19, 1964
|-
| John W. McDevitt<ref name=eagle/><ref name=griffin/> || 1960–1964 || rowspan="7" | Bishop [[Charles Pasquale Greco|Charles P. Greco]]<ref name=llaa/>{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=394}}|| rowspan="7" | 1961–January 20, 1987
|-
| rowspan="3" | 11 || rowspan="3" |[[John W. McDevitt]]|| rowspan="3" |  || rowspan="3" | February 22, 1964 || rowspan="3" | January 21, 1977 ||[[John H. Griffin|John H. Griffin, MD]]<ref name=griffin/><ref name=new/>|| 1964–1966
|-
|[[Charles J. Ducey]]<ref name=clarion/>{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=417}}|| 1966–April 1976
|-
| Ernest J. Wolff{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=417}} || 1976–1977 
|-
| rowspan="5" | 12 || rowspan="5" |[[Virgil C. Dechant]]|| rowspan="5" |  || rowspan="5" | January 21, 1977 || rowspan="5" | September 30, 2000 || Frederick H. Pelletier{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=417}}<ref name=hanover/> || 1977–1981
|-
| John M. Murphy || 1981–1984
|-
| rowspan="2" |Ellis D. Flinn<ref name=mourns/>|| rowspan="2" | 1984–February 1, 1997
|-
| rowspan="3" | Bishop [[Thomas Vose Daily|Thomas V. Daily]]<ref name=daily/>|| rowspan="3" | February 13, 1987–April 1, 2005
|-
| Robert F. Wade<ref name=report/> || April 1, 1997–September 30, 2000
|-
| rowspan="5" | 13 || rowspan="5" |[[Carl A. Anderson]]|| rowspan="5" |[[File:Carl A. Anderson.jpg|165px]] || rowspan="5" | October 1, 2000 || rowspan="5" | February 28, 2021 || rowspan="2" |[[Jean Migneault|Jean B. Migneault]]<ref name=eulogy/>|| rowspan="2" | October 1, 2000–October 27, 2006
|-
| rowspan="6" | Archbishop [[William E. Lori]]<ref name=lori/>|| rowspan="6" | April 2, 2005–present
|-
|[[Dennis Savoie|Dennis A. Savoie]]<ref name=interim/><ref name=settles/>|| October 27, 2006–December 2013
|-
|[[Logan T. Ludwig]]<ref name=bio/>|| December 12, 2013–December 16, 2016
|-
|[[Patrick E. Kelly]]<ref name=bio/>|| January 1, 2017–February 28, 2021
|-
| rowspan="2" | 14
| rowspan="2" |[[Patrick E. Kelly]]
| rowspan="2" |
| rowspan="2" |March 1, 2021
| rowspan="2" |present
|Paul O'Sullivan<ref name=installed>{{cite news | url = https://aleteia.org/2021/06/14/newly-installed-supreme-knight-urges-guardians-of-truth/ | title = Supreme Knight installed, calls for "guardians of truth" | first = John | last = Burger | date = June 14, 2021 | accessdate = August 5, 2022 | publisher = Aletia }}</ref>
|June 9, 2021–July 1, 2023
|-
||Arthur L. Peters<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.kofc.org/en/who-we-are/our-supreme-officers/deputy-supreme-knight.html | title = ARTHUR L. PETERS | accessdate = June 10, 2024 | publisher = Knights of Columbus }}</ref>
| July 1, 2023-present

|}
</onlyinclude>

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=22em|refs=

<ref name=officers>{{cite web | url = https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nFzzWInaj5_eVFC9Vvn2PxVC8yiwc-YBidlBCISRnZs/edit?usp=sharing | title = Knights of Columbus Supreme Officers | author = Knights of Columbus archives | date = December 3, 2018 | access-date = December 3, 2018 }}</ref>

<ref name=bio>{{cite web | url = http://www.kofc.org/en/todays-knights/deputy-supreme-knight.html | title = Patrick E. Kelly | publisher = Knights of Columbus | access-date = February 1, 2018 }}</ref>

<ref name=clarion>{{cite news | url = https://thecatholicnewsarchive.org/?a=d&d=cher19661027-01.1.2 | title = McDevitt is reelected as KC head | page = 2 | newspaper = New Orleans Clarion Herald | date = October 27, 1966| access-date = February 25, 2018 }}</ref>

<ref name=daily>{{cite web | url = http://www.kofc.org/en/news/releases/supreme-chaplain-emeritus.html | access-date = March 4, 2018 | title = KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS MOURNS THE PASSING OF SUPREME CHAPLAIN EMERITUS | date = May 15, 2017 | publisher = Knights of Columbus }}</ref>


<ref name=eagle>{{cite news | url = https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/55006081/ | date = October 22, 1960 | newspaper = The Berkshire Eagle | location = Pittsfield, Massachusetts | page =  5 |access-date = February 6, 2018 | title = K. of C Re-elect* Hart Supreme Knight}}</ref>

<ref name=eulogy>{{cite web | url = http://www.kofc.org/en/news/releases/547901.html | date = September 11, 2008 | access-date = February 2, 2018 | title = SUPREME KNIGHT'S EULOGY FOR JEAN MIGNEAULT | publisher = Knights of Columbus | first = Carl A. | last = Anderson}}</ref>

<ref name=griffin>{{cite web | url = http://www.kofc-md.org/state1617/psd/Griffin.pdf | title = HON. JOHN H. GRIFFIN, M.D., K.S.G., K.H.S. | publisher = Knights of Columbus Maryland State Council | access-date = February 2, 2018 }}</ref>

<ref name=hanover>{{cite news | newspaper = Hanover Evening Sun | date = May 21, 1979 | page = 14 | url = https://newspaperarchive.com/hanover-evening-sun-may-21-1979-p-14/ | title = Local Delegates at K of C Convention |access-date = February 26, 2018 }}</ref>

<ref name=heads>{{cite news | url = https://digmichnews.cmich.edu/cgi-bin/michigan?a=d&d=KalamazooTA19270820-01.1.1 | title = First Michigan Man to be Elected Supreme Knight | volume = XXXV | number = 87 | date = August 20, 1927 | access-date = February 6, 2018 | newspaper = The Augustinian | location = Kalamzaoo, Michigan  }}</ref>

<ref name=history>{{cite web |url= http://www.kofc.org/un/en/about/history/anniversary/historical/supremeknightsgallery |title= History of the Knights - Supreme Knights|access-date= 2011-01-25 |publisher= Knights of Columbus Supreme Council }}</ref>  

<ref name=interim>{{cite news | url = http://www.theinterim.com/issues/religion/q-and-a-with-dennis-savoie/ | title = Q and A with: Dennis Savoie | first = Tony | last = Gosgnach | date = August 30, 2007 | access-date = November 15, 2016 | publisher = The Interim }}</ref>

<ref name=issue>{{cite news | title = National Council, K of C., Increases Issue. Next Convention Will Be Held in Louisville. | newspaper = The Boston Globe | date = June 4, 1903 | page = 3 }}</ref>

<ref name=legacy>{{cite web | url = https://www.kofc.org/un/en/resources/members/programs/family-activities/2045-legacy-mcgivney-6-08.pdf | title = The Life and Legacy of Father Michael J. McGivney | publisher = Knights of Columbus | access-date = August 14, 2018 }}</ref>

<ref name=llaa>{{cite web | url = http://www.llaa.us/Bishop%20Charles%20P%20Greco%20Biography.pdf | title = Bishop Charles P. Greco | publisher = Louisiana Ladies Auxiliary Association | access-date = March 4, 2018 }}</ref>

<ref name=lori>{{cite web| url = http://www.kofc.org/un/en/todays-knights/supreme-chaplain.html | title = ARCHBISHOP WILLIAM E. LORI, S.T.D. SUPREME CHAPLAIN OF THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS | publisher = Knights of Columbus | access-date = March 4, 2018 }}</ref>

<ref name=mourns>{{cite web | url = http://www.kofc.org/en/news/releases/dsk_flinn.html| title = ORDER MOURNS THE PASSING OF FORMER DEPUTY SUPREME KNIGHT| date = April 11, 2013| access-date = February 2, 2018 | publisher = Knights of Columbus}}</ref>

<ref name=mulligan>{{cite news | url = https://secure.pqarchiver.com/boston-sub/doc/848355740.html?FMT=AI&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=May+21%2C+1949&author=&pub=Daily+Boston+Globe+%281928-1960%29&edition=&startpage=2&desc=Swift+Appoints+Mulligan+Deputy+Supreme+Knight | title = Swift Appoints Mulligan Deputy Supreme Knight | date = May 21, 1949 | page = 2 | access-date = February 6, 2018 | newspaper = The Boston Globe }}</ref>

<ref name=new>{{cite news | url = https://secure.pqarchiver.com/boston-sub/doc/366529758.html?FMT=AI&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Mar+1%2C+1964&author=Jordan%2C+Robert&pub=Boston+Globe+%281960-1986%29&edition=&startpage=54&desc=New+Chief+of+Knights+Led+Waltham+Schools | title = New Chief of Knights Led Waltham Schools | last = Jordan | first = Robert | newspaper = The Boston Globe | date = March 1, 1964 | page =54 | access-date = February 6, 2018 }}</ref>

<ref name=pledge>{{cite news| url = https://gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/gua1449731/1933-08-26/ed-1/seq-1/ | title = K. of C. Pledge support for NRA | newspaper = The Bulletin | location = Augusta, Ga. | date = August 26, 1933 | volume = XIV | number = 16 | access-date = February 6, 2018 }}</ref>

<ref name=report>{{Cite web | url = http://mama.indstate.edu/users/hauger/Catholic/kc/message.html | title = Annual Report of Supreme Knight Virgil C. Dechant | publisher = Chuck Hauger | access-date = February 2, 2018 }}</ref>

<ref name=settles>{{cite news | url = http://www.bccatholic.ca/canadian/4816-ambassador-settles-in-to-new-role-in-rome | title = Ambassador settles in to new role in Rome | first = Deborah | last = Gyapong | date = February 27, 2015 | access-date = November 15, 2016 | publisher = The B.C. Catholic }}</ref>

<ref name=uniontown>{{cite web | url = http://hozir.org/history-of-the-uniontown-council-n.html | title = History of the Uniontown Council No. 1275  | access-date = February 2, 2018 }}</ref>
}}

== Bibliography ==
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book
|last=Dodge
|first=William Wallace
|year=1903
|title=The Fraternal and Modern Banquet Orator: An Original Book of Useful Helps at the Social Session and Assembly of Fraternal Orders, College Entertainments, Social Gatherings and All Banquet Occasions
|location=Chicago
|publisher=Monarch Book Company
}}
* {{cite book
|last=Kauffman
|first=Christopher J.
|year=1982
|title=Faith and Fraternalism: The History of the Knights of Columbus, 1882–1982
|publisher=Harper and Row
|isbn=978-0-06-014940-6
|url-access=registration
|url=https://archive.org/details/faithfraternalis00kauf
}}
{{refend}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Supreme Knight Of The Knights Of Columbus}}
[[Category:Supreme Knights of the Knights of Columbus| ]]
[[Category:Lists of presidents of organizations|Knights of Columbus]]
[[Category:Titles]]