WELCOME TO KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
First Florida Council 611 - Saint Augustine, Florida
Welcome to the first Knights of Columbus Council in the state of Florida, established October 13, 1901, serving the first Catholic Parish in America, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, in the nation's first city! First Florida Council 611 holds its business meetings at 7:00PM on the 1st Monday of each month at the Bishop Baker Center located at 267 St. George Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084.
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All local and visiting Knights to the St. Augustine area are welcome to join us for brotherhood and fellowship beginning at 6:15PM.
OUR CHURCH
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine is a historic cathedral in St. Augustine, Florida, and the seat of the Catholic Bishop of St. Augustine.
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It is located at Cathedral Street between Charlotte and St. George Streets. Constructed over five years (1793–1797) it was designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark on April 15, 1970.
Its congregation, established in 1565, is the oldest Christian congregation in the contiguous United States.
WHO WE ARE
From the moment of our brotherhood's founding in 1882, charity has been the first principle of the Knights of Columbus. We are Catholic men of faith and men of charitable action.
Here at First Florida Council 611, we have donated over $200,000 since 2015 to worthy charities including, but not limited to, Seminarian and Formation Fund, St. Francis House, and the Pregnancy Center Program.
OUR BROTHERHOOD
There is a call deep within each man to go deeper and reach higher to become the man God made him to be. In a world full of challenges, the Knights of Columbus equips men to answer the call to lead with faith, protect their families, serve others and defend their values.
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Leading with Faith
Knights are committed to daily prayer, weekly Mass, and building a community of faith. This is the Knights of Columbus difference, knowing that you are backed by a band of brothers in the quest to become better Catholic men. Your membership gives you access to faith-building materials that will help you draw closer to God and lead with faith.
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Protect Your Family
Men have a special responsibility to protect their loved ones and provide for the future. As a Knight, you have special access to exclusive resources to help you plan for and achieve financial peace of mind.
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Next Council Meeting - Monday, November 3rd, 2025 at 7pm
All members in Good Standing are welcome to attend our monthly Council meeting. Our meetings are held at the Bishop Baker Center located at 267 St. George Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084.
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If you have any questions, please contact our Worthy Grand Knight, SK Andy Butts at 904-325-9762 or grandknight@kofc611.org
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​Monthly Social - Monday November 17th, 2025, 6:30pm
Join Council 611, their families and the parish for our Monthly Social, located at Bishop Baker Center located at 267 St. George Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084, from 11am to 4pm. For this social, we will be joined by Jim Booritch for a Fraternal Benefits Night.
If you have any questions, please contact our Worthy Grand Knight, SK Andy Butts at 904-325-9762 or grandknight@kofc611.org
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​​​First Florida Council 611 Ladies Auxiliary
The Ladies Auxiliary is asking everyone to donate and fill baby bottles with money. All donations go directly to St. Gerard Campus. The Ladies Auxiliary is also requesting plastic grocery bags to donate to the St. Nicholas Food Bank that distributes donated food to those in need here in St. Augustine every other Wednesday at St. Benedict of Moore Catholic Church located at 86 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, St. Augustine, FL.
For donations, please contact Ladies Auxiliary President, Melinda Butts or bring donations to meetings and/or social events.
Want to join the First Florida Council 611 Ladies Auxiliary?
Any practicing Catholic women, 18 years of age and older, who is interested in making a difference in our parish is welcome to join. Applicants need not be a spouse of a Knight.
Annual dues are $25 and $10 for senior citizens. Annual dues are waived for spouses of deceased Knights.
The Ladies Auxiliary meets on the first Monday of each month at 7pm at the Bishop Baker Center, located at 267 St. George Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084 (Parish Hall at the Cathedral Parish School).
If you know any ladies that would like to join or for more information, please contact:
Melinda Butts
Email: melindabutts@gmail.com
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KNIGHT OF THE MONTH
Brother Mike Sopena
FAMILY OF THE MONTH
The Dufresne Family
KNIGHT OF THE YEAR
2024 - 2025
Bob Hesson
FAMILY OF THE YEAR
2024 - 2025
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The Jacquet Family
Family of the Year -
The Jacquet’s!
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We are proud to honor the Jacquet's as our Family of the Year being recognized for their unwavering Christian values and heartfelt contributions to our parish community. Brother Carl serves multiple roles with steadfast leadership and devotion to our faith. His wife, Lisa, brings compassion and excellence to her vocation as a Doctor of Nursing Practice, Certified Nurse Practitioner, and Assistant Professor of Nursing at the University of North Florida. Together, they’ve built a life rooted in faith, service, and love. As foster parents, they’ve welcomed a teenager into their home, extending their warmth and care. Their children, Vivian and Harrison, are active altar servers and talented instrumentalists who enrich our liturgies with their gifts. Equally inspiring, Brother Carl and Lisa lend their voices to the Cathedral Choir and volunteer with the Jacksonville Symphony Chorus, sharing their talents in praise. The Jacquet’s truly embody the spirit of Christian service. God bless you!
Knight of the Year -
Brother Bob Hesson!
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Brother Bob Hesson is our 2025 Knight of the Year! He lives his faith with humility, dedication, and joy. He’s a longtime Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and devotes an hour each week in quiet prayer during Adoration. Brother Bob jumped in with both feet lending his time and talents by installing blinds at CPS, scoring at the CPS Basketball Free Throw Challenge, and cooking for the CPS Thanksgiving Dinner Theatre and our St Patrick’s dinner fundraiser. Drawing on his restaurateur experience, he selected the caterer for our sporting clay tournament--a delicious success! And in a moment of quiet honor, he assisted Bishop Pohlmeier by carrying his briefcase and vestments during the Vespers celebrating the Feast of St Augustine. An inspiration to us all. God bless you, Brother!