COUNCIL INFORMATION
About our Owtonna Council 945
Owatonna Council 945 was founded in 1904 by a group of forty men. Its membership has grown to more than 650. Owatonna Council 945 works closely with St. Joseph and Sacred Heart parishes, providing funds for various projects. Council members are active participants in their parishes. The Columbian Center is located at 820 South Elm, several blocks from St. Joseph and Sacred Heart Catholic Churches.
Each year, Owatonna Council 945 members donate over 7,000 hours of volunteer time and financial support to a wide range of local groups and projects. Some of the projects include: Benefit Breakfasts for Special Olympics, St. Mary’s Music Boosters, St. Mary’s Home and School Association, St. Mary's REP/CYO, SERRA Club and other local groups. The proceeds from the Wildlife Benefit Banquet and Auction are committed to environmental, wildlife, and outdoor projects, such as the Leo Rudolph Nature Reserve, soccer fields, and softball fields. The children’s Halloween Party is held for all children in the community. The KC Basketball Free Throw contest is open to all children ages 10-14. People with developmental disabilities receive the proceeds from the Tootsie Roll fundraiser and are guests at a special Christmas Party.
Council meetings are held at the Columbian Center on the second Wednesday of each month with a guest speaker at 7:00 pm and the membership meeting at 7:30pm.
About the Knights
Who are the Knights?
The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic family fraternal service organization with 1.6 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.
Each year, over 7,000 hours of volunteer time is donated and financial support is provided by Owatonna Council 945 to a wide range of local groups and projects. Some of the projects include: Benefit Breakfasts and Spaghetti Suppers for Boy Scouts, people with developmental disabilities, St. Mary’s Music and Sports Boosters, St. Mary’s Home and School Association. The proceeds from the Wildlife Benefit Banquet and Auction are committed to environmental, wildlife, and outdoor projects, such as the Leo Rudolph Nature Reserve, soccer fields, and softball fields. The children’s Halloween Party is held for all children in the community. The KC Basketball Free Throw contest is open to all children ages 10-14. People with developmental disabilities receive the proceeds from the Tootsie Roll fundraiser and are guests at a special Christmas Party.
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 you wish to join our council, contact Laverne Klecker (507)456-6738. 
Any Third Degree member in good standing one year after the anniversary of his First Degree is eligible for membership in the Fourth Degree Assembly. 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.