If it’s a little strange to learn that the Knights of Columbus, the largest current Roman Catholic organization, numbering 1.8 million at last count, began as a life insurance organization, consider that many of the oldest insurance organizations started out as a religious societies. Back in the 1700 and 1800s there was not much difference. Certainly Father Michael J. McGivney thought so when he created the mutual benefit society in the basement of his church in New Haven, Connecticut.

On this day, March 29, in 1882 the Knights of Columbus society was founded by Father McGivney. Inspired by Christopher Columbus, who spread Christianity to the New World, his organization sought to continue that mission, along the way making sure to provide for the widows and orphans of members.

From those beginnings rose a now multi-billion dollar organization. The modern Knights of Columbus have 15,000 branches worldwide, with more than $17 billion in assets. Still a nonprofit, it ranks in the Fortune 1000 list of America’s largest companies.