Knights of Council 4083 have had a long tradition for caring for the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and the Holy Spirit Church by cutting grass, landscaping, and repairing the facilities. The tradition goes back at least as far as 1958 when Fred Wenth began cutting grass at St. John’s Church. In 1964 Holy Spirit Church opened its doors and the Knights were there to take care of the grounds. At this time, the church did not have lawn mowers so the men brought their push lawn mowers from home. On a weekly basis they cut around the church, school building and the center strip on the drive up to the church. The big field in front was cut occasionally using a bush hog. Virgil Dawson was one of the individuals who volunteered to do 
this. In 1968 Doug Rhodes joined the group of men working on the lawn. In the mid 70′s Father White purchased the first lawn tractor to cut the grass. Charlie Horn moved to Tuscaloosa in 1971 and was an occasional volunteer until 1985 when he became seriously involved in the landscaping and care of the grounds. In 1979 a used “gang” lawnmower was donated by BF Goodrich. At this time Joe Hawley joined the group and became a volunteer for a number of years. In 1986 Jim Stakem retired andvolunteered to help with the grounds care. It was about this time that they started mowing the whole 18 acres. Other volunteers remembered over the years are Floyd Stewart, Hubert 
Davis, John Wozniak, Crawford Edwards, Don Norton, Charlie Thompson, Dale Spadoni, Herman Weber, Clarence Weber, John Mitchel, David Mitchel, Tony Kauchick, and Roy Lofton. Today, there are 3 riding lawnmowers, a push mower, edgers, hedge trimmers, and all the lawn care equipment needed. Many Knights are involved in occasionally helping out on special projects or when one of the regulars are on vacation or ill. At Holy Spirit those men seen weekly on the mowers or carrying shovels are: Charlie Horn, Doug Rhodes, Ray Rumanek, Jim Stakem, Jim Headrick, Jack DeWitt. At St. John’s Church, Fred has been joined by his son, Joe. Why are these Knights caring for the Church? Fred Wenth summed it up the best. He said, “It’s a labor of love.”
Appreciation of the Knights involved in this long tradition was recognized at the Council’s awards banquet in June of 1998. A certificate of appreciation of their effort hangs on the wall of the council home.
Written by Ken Carroll, 1998.