Our History & Mission

The Knights of St. John trace their tradition to the various knightly orders of the Roman Catholic Church. The order was formally organized in the United States in the late nineteenth century, making it one of the older fraternal Catholic knights’ organizations in the country.

Members pledge fealty to Christ the King and strive to live according to His Word and Truth as Roman Catholic gentlemen — carrying forward a tradition of fidelity, honor, and charitable service within their parish commanderies.

The Knights of St. John are organized nationally, with individual commanderies established at the parish level, each focused on serving its own parish, its members, and the surrounding community.

Ascension Commandery No. 283 is a non-profit fraternal organization chartered under the laws of the State of Maryland, and is one of seventeen (17) Knights of St. John commanderies in the Baltimore–Washington metropolitan area.

Commandery No. 283 partners with Ascension Catholic Church, the Ladies Auxiliary No. 109, the Historical Old Towne Bowie Merchants & Revitalization Committee, and the Huntington Heritage Society.

Together these partnerships make possible cultural programs, social events, food donations for the needy, and dinners for seniors and the disadvantaged.

Commandery No. 283 meets as brothers at least once a month — the second Saturday — at the historic Knights of St. John Hall in Old Towne Bowie.

Built in 1907, the Hall has been restored and continues to serve as a gathering place for social and community events. Since the 1980s it has served the community as a meeting place for fraternal, spiritual, civic, and public and private engagements.