About the Knights of St. John
In the traditions and history of the various knightly orders of the Roman Catholic Church—including the Knights of Malta and the Order of St. John of medieval Europe—the Knights of St. John were established. These traditions are cherished by today’s Knights. They carry forward a legacy of fidelity to the Church, honor and loyalty within their ranks, and charity and compassion in their communities.
The Knights of St. John were officially incorporated in New York on May 6, 1886. Their roots, however, extend further back, emerging from a broader movement of Catholic fraternal and knightly orders in the late 19th century. Since that time, their most valued traditions have remained constant: inward virtues of loyalty, fidelity, faith, and honor, alongside outward expressions such as uniforms and insignia.
Early commanderies were established in Rochester and Utica, New York; Cleveland, Ohio; Detroit, Michigan; and Washington, D.C. As the 20th century progressed, the Order expanded to neighboring Canada and, across the Atlantic, to Europe and Africa. Today, with commanderies throughout the world, the Order has become truly international.
Find a Local Commandery
The Knights of St. John International are organized through local Commanderies across the United States. Use the map below to see where we are present and begin exploring where you may be called to serve.
Joining begins at the local level. Each Commandery meets regularly for prayer, service, and fraternity within the parish community.
To connect with a Commandery in your area, use the contact form below and we will guide you through the next steps.
Don’t see a Commandery near you, or unsure how to proceed? We will help connect you with the nearest Commandery.
Late 19th Century: From Fraternal Societies to a United Order
These various Catholic knightly societies were distinguished by their uniforms, by-laws, aims, and purposes. Some wore elaborate attire inspired by medieval armor, including velvet coats, brass-plumed helmets adorned with feathers, shining breastplates, and leggings with large boots and spurs. Their missions also varied: some focused on assisting immigrant communities, others promoted musical and literary enrichment, while still others were devoted to the veneration of particular saints. Many provided practical support as well, such as sick benefits for members and their families, and death benefits for widows and orphans. Despite these differences, all shared a common purpose: to serve Almighty God and His Church.
In June 1874, several of these organizations met in Rochester, New York, at a joint convention. Delegates were favorably impressed by the gathering and returned to their home cities with a renewed determination to establish similar cooperative bodies. This movement eventually led to incorporation by a special act of the Legislature of the State of New York. Combined commanderies soon emerged in cities including Buffalo, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Detroit, Syracuse, Denver, Dayton, Toronto, Louisville, and Columbus. While united in purpose, these groups continued to maintain their own individual laws and exercised discretion in matters such as uniforms.
On October 15, 1879, representatives from several commanderies of Catholic knights in Baltimore, Washington, and Cincinnati convened in Baltimore to consider forming a national organization. Their goal was to unite the various Catholic uniformed societies under a single governing body. Following deliberation, they agreed to establish such an organization, electing officers and adopting the name “The Roman Catholic Union of Knights of St. John.” At the next convention, held in Cincinnati in 1880, additional commanderies joined the Union. A resolution was later adopted to shorten the name to “Knights of St. John.”
Growing a Catholic Brotherhood
The first half of the twentieth century brought profound change. Two world wars reshaped nations, advancements transformed how people communicated, and many Catholic men answered the call to serve their country. In this environment, there emerged a deep need for fraternity—a place where men could share their experiences, strengthen their faith, and find true camaraderie.
The Knights of St. John already provided such a framework. Rooted in service to the Church, the Order was strengthened through shared sacrifice, duty, and honor. Beyond their visible presence at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, solemnities, feasts, Roman rites, and other liturgical celebrations, the Knights expanded their activities to include charitable works, community service projects, athletic events, and patriotic observances. These traditions endure to this day—from the annual Memorial Day service at the Knights’ cenotaph in Buffalo, New York, to longstanding gatherings such as the annual bowling tournament and other fraternal events.
It was also during the early twentieth century that the Knights of St. John began to expand beyond the United States. In 1913, commanderies were established in Trinidad and Tobago, followed by Panama and the Canal Zone by 1929. In 1933, the Order was introduced to the Gold Coast—now Ghana—where men sought and received permission from the United States to form a commandery in Saltpond, in the Central Region. Over a relatively short period, the Order spread throughout West Africa, with new commanderies established in Lomé, Togo; Monrovia, Liberia; Enugu, Nigeria; and Freetown, Sierra Leone. Today, the Order counts more than 16,000 members in West Africa alone.
Meanwhile, in the United States, the Order continued to grow and evolve, establishing commanderies across the nation—from Minneapolis to Los Angeles and beyond. As communication advanced and the world became increasingly interconnected, the bonds of brotherhood within the Knights of St. John grew stronger than ever.
Keeping the Order Strong For Tomorrow's Men
In recent years, the Knights of St. John have been rediscovered by younger men seeking to deepen their relationship with the Catholic faith and to take a more active role in the life of the Church. An increasing number of commanderies are now present in parishes that celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass, where the presence of uniformed Knights serves as a striking complement to the reverence and beauty of the liturgy—both in the Traditional Latin Mass and the modern Novus Ordo.
Joining the Knights of St. John is both a rewarding and solemn commitment, one that each man enters into through prayerful consideration and discernment. To begin your own journey toward brotherhood, we invite you to learn more and take the next step.