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Knights celebrate 75 years serving Wayne

By Sarah Shurge along with it,” said Sposite.
A lot can happen in 75 years. A lot of change The Knights strive to be as involved in the com-
and growth. Or a lot of stagnation and decline. munity as much as they can. They partnered with
When it comes to organizations, some don’t last the City of Wayne Downtown Development Author-
to see 75 years. ity and have started events like Wayne’s Down-
The Knights of Columbus Notre Dame Council town Days. Along with their annual Time to
3021 have not only survived but thrived in the Cleanup Peace Memorial Park, not to mention din-
City of Wayne for the past 75 years. ner shows, Small Business Saturdays, and their
“For any organization to last this long is a feat. involvement with Wayne Main Street. As well as
Especially with the changing demographics and many other events like the Patriots Day Celebra-
mindset of the community. 75 years and to still be tion that just happened on September 11th.
an all-male organization is a testament to what the “A lot of people don't see them [the events] or
Knights stand for,” said Paul Sposite, Grand attend, but it's not always about the numbers. It's
Knight of the Notre Dame Council. just about doing what's right and giving and pro-
On February 6, 1882, the Knights of Colum- viding a service to the community we serve,” said
bus was founded by Father Michael J. McGivney, Grand Knight Sposite.
assistant pastor of St. Mary’s Church in New Throughout the Knights’ 75 years in Wayne,
Haven. Walter K. Winkle, Jr., State Deputy of Michigan State they have switched locations four different times
Thanks to Father McGivney and some of his Council Knights of Columbus presents a 75th anniver- but for the past 15 years, they have been located
parishioners, the Connecticut state legislature of- at the Notre Dame Hall on Wayne Road in down-
ficially chartered the Knights of Columbus as a fra- sary plaque to Grand Knight Paul Sposite. town Wayne.
ternal benefit society on March 29, 1882. charity, unity, and fraternity. The Knights had their 75th anniversary cele-
It was originally founded as a paternal organi- “It builds a brotherhood. You really build a bration on Sunday, September 19th, at Notre
zation to meet the needs of families suffering from bond between the members and families,” said Dame Hall in their new outdoor seating area.
the death of a breadwinner. Since the day it was Grand Knight Sposite. The celebration started with a dedication of the
founded, service and charity have been at the Sposite has been active with the Knights for hall and blessings of the memorial garden, fol-
heart of the Knights. five years and enjoys reaching out to the commu- lowed by a wine and cheese reception. The memo-
Being a Knight now in the 21st century is a lot nity and getting groups together. rial garden is a place where members can buy
different than it was back in the day, however, the “I like the opportunity to get us together and plagues to memorialize past members that have
mission remains true to its founding principles of have that comradery and fellowship that comes passed away.

18 · October 2021 · The Wayne Dispatch