The Knights of Peter Claver, Inc. is the largest historically African-American Catholic lay organization in the United States. The Order is named for St. Peter Claver, the Spanish Priest who ministered to African slaves. The Order was founded on November 7, 1909 in Mobile, Alabama and is presently headquartered in New Orleans.
The National and local organization consists of six Divisions: Knights of Peter Claver, Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary, Junior Knights, Junior Daughters, 4th Degree Knights and 4th Degree Ladies of Grace. The Order is governed by the Supreme Knight as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and titular head of the Knight of Peter Claver, Inc, and the Supreme Lady as the titular head of the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary.
The local Austin organization also consists of six divisions as stated above which include Holy Cross Council #284, Holy Cross Court #284, Junior Branch #284, Junior Court #284, James E. Mosby, Jr. Assembly #40 and James E. Mosby, Jr. Chapter #40. Some of the activities of the local Austin divisions include: active membership in several Holy Cross Catholic Church ministries, service and financial support to Holy Cross, Meals-on-Wheels, Sickle Cell organization support, food drives, fan drives, community service projects, raising of scholarship funds, school supplies to Blackshear Elementary School, financial support to seminarians, Mother-Daughter Tea, Purses and handbags for women in homeless shelters, feeding the homeless and blood drives.
The Junior Division welcomes Catholic youth between the ages of 7-18. The Junior Division is organized using the same structure of the Senior Division.
Our purpose is to render service to God and His Holy Church, render aid and assistance to the sick and disabled, and promote social and intellectual association among our members.