Purpose
Our purpose is to render service to God and His Holy Church, to render aid and assistance
to the sick and disabled, and to promote social and intellectual association among our
members.
Leading Voices
Our membership is composed of approximately 15,000 members spread throughout the United
States and as far away as Cartagena, Columbia and South America.
Background
The Knights of Peter Claver, Inc. is the oldest and largest historically African American Catholic
lay organization in the Unites States. The Order is named for St. Peter Claver, a Spanish Jesuit
Priest who dedicated his life to ministering to African slaves. Th order was founded on
November 7, 1909 in Mobile Alabama and is currently headquartered in New Orleans,
Louisiana. Since its inception, membership has been open to an all Catholics regardless of
race or ethnic background.
In The Church
We encourage and foster leadership and service within St. Mary of the Purification and other
surrounding churches. Our direct contribution our parish priests, other clergy and fellow
parishioners includes but is not limited to:
- Serving on the church and church-affiliated boards
- Serving as laypersons
- Supporting the mass as Ushers
- Partnering with and serving on the music ministry,
Along with the Knights of Peter Claver – Ladies Auxiliary, our members are united in our love of
the Catholic Church and to helping provide the leadership, guidance, and resources needed to
spread Faith, Hope, and Love, through Friendship, Unity, and Christian Charity. Through our
words and action, we minister to the less fortunate, sick, imprisoned and to those we encounter
in our daily lives. Most importantly, we bring our true authentic selves to the Church and help
complete the fabric that makes us whole. Members within our local unit at S. Mary’s, as well as
other units (locally and nationally) take civic, community and social engagement and
responsibility seriously. We provide aid after natural disasters, advocate for social justice
issues, stand for voter rights and encourage fulfillment of civic duties including participation.
To learn more about our organization please visit our website at www.kofpc.org. There you will
find information along with an application to join our Noble order. If you have questions, please
feel free to contact St. Mary’s of the Purification office at 713.528.0571 and provide your contact
name and number to allow a Knight from our Membership committee to follow up with you.
Best
Marc Singleton
Grand Knight
St. Mary’s of the Purification.