San Carlos Council 2596
•   4040 Princeton Street   •    Ft. Myers, FL 33901-8558   •    (239) 936-7874   •

The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic family fraternal service organization with 1.7 million members. It provides members and their families with volunteer opportunities in service to the Catholic Church, their communities, families and young people.


As a member of the Knights of Columbus you and your family enjoy many benefits, including 12 free issues annually of the Columbia magazine, the world's largest Catholic family magazine, eligibility to join the Knights of Columbus top-ranked life insurance program, and many more family and personal benefits.  For more information about our life insurance program contact the insurance field agent or visit the general agent's website at www.kofcswfl.org.

Local council activities include:  Church Activities, Youth Activities, Family Activities, Community Service and Council Activities.


Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to practicing Catholic men in union with the Holy See, who are at least 18 years old. A practicing Catholic is one who lives up to the Commandments of God and the precepts of the Church. Application blanks are available from any member of the Knights of Columbus.

If your are interested in joining the Knights of Columbus, please contact us by calling (239) 936-7874 or or by email at San Carlos Council. 


Any Third Degree member in good standing, one year after the anniversary of his First Degree, is eligible for membership in the Fourth Degree. The primary purpose of the Fourth Degree is to foster the spirit of patriotism by promoting responsible citizenship and a love of and loyalty to the Knights' respective countries through active membership in local Fourth Degree groups (called "assemblies"). Certain members of the Fourth Degree serve as honor guards at civic and religious functions, an activity that has brought worldwide recognition to the Knights of Columbus.

The Fr. James J. O'Riordan Assembly meets the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Princeton Street.


The Ladies Auxiliary's main function is to support the men and the council.  They do this primarily by providing help at events and contributing monetary support.  The Ladies Auxiliary of San Carlos Council meets the first Thursday of each month at the Knight's of Columbus Hall. On the first Wednesday of February each year, they have a luncheon card party to raise money for charities.  Prior to this function, the Ladies Auxiliary has solicited different area businesses to accumulate gifts for prizes, in addition to making gifts for door prizes and drawings, so that no person leaves this party without having won a prize.  They also help by having pot luck dinners in conjunction with the social meetings on the third Thursday of the month.


Under the guidance of Christian Brother Barnabas McDonald (1865-1929), the first Columbian Squires circle was instituted in 1925. Membership in the Squires is for Catholic boys between the ages of 12 and 17. Squires' activities are many, varying from spiritual to active service for the Church and community. Each circle elects officer members from their own rank, teaching skills of leadership and responsibility.