Fourth Degree and California History
During the first eighteen years of its existence, the Knights of Columbus had only the first three degrees representing Charity, Unity and Fraternity. At the close of the century it was decided to establish a degree representing patriotism, one which would be more selective in its appeal than the traditional or basic degrees. The new ritual was named the Fourth Degree and was first exemplified in New York on February 22nd, 1900. Fourteen hundred members were chosen to witness this ceremony. It was expected that they would recruit from their councils other Knights worthy of receiving the highest degree. In the years that followed, the patriotic honor was exemplified in various cities and those who took it became a special group, or an assembly within their respective councils.
Formal organization came in 1910 when the Supreme Council provided a government for the degree and gave it a basic law.
The Patriotic Degree was exemplified for the first time in the state of California, in the City of Los Angeles on June 10th, 1905. This was in connection with the convention of the Supreme Council being held at that time in the City of Our Lady Queen of the Angels.
Three years later the Patriotic Degree again was conferred in California. This time in the City of San Francisco on May 10th, 1908. Those who took the degree then, along with those who previously had received it 1905, formed the nucleus of the Fourth Degree membership in the state and constituted the local assemblies of their respective councils. California was made a Fourth Degree District between 1910-1911. In 1912 the main District of California was divided into two Districts… Northern District and Southern District.
Because of the growth of the Fourth Degree in both the Northern and Southern California Districts, the Supreme Board of Directors in April of 1958 created the Central California District. Those are the three Districts that we have today.
Join the Patriotic Degree

The Color Corps members exemplify all the principles of our Order:
- Charity – by the gift of their time and energies necessary to practice, perfect and perform the ceremonials and sword drill;
- Unity – by the united efforts of Sir Knights to practice & perfect a coordinated drill for the good of the Church and the Order;
- Fraternity – by expressing an “Esprit de Corps,” sharing a common desire for drill excellence and camaraderie; and
- Patriotism – by performing precision drill as a salute to God and to country and visually exhibiting a love for both.
The public appearance of the Patriotic Degree Knights as a Color Corps at religious and civic functions is an important activity of each assembly; and demonstrates their loyalties bring credit to themselves and to the Knights of Columbus.
Starting at the Supreme level, there is the Supreme Master and the Supreme Board of Directors. The next level of the structure is broken into provinces of which there are twenty. Each province is lead by a Vice-Supreme Master. The Vice-Supreme Master wears a light blue cloth backer on his beret. There are currently 15 provinces in the United States, 4 in Canada, 1 in Mexico and 1 in the Philippines. The province is then broken up into districts.
We, the State of California, belong to the Saint Junipero Serra Province, which also includes Nevada. Most districts are either an entire State or a section of a larger State (i.e. California has three districts – North, Central and South).
Timothy Fukuda
VICE SUPREME MASTER
owlscouter@aol.com
DISTRICT MASTERS
![]() Dr. Noel Panlilio (Northern) | ![]() Roman Bejarano (Central) | ![]() Roark Galloway (Southern) |
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Dr. Noel Panlilio Northern District | Roman Bejarano Central District | Roark Galloway Southern District |