Serving Sherwood Park Since 1968

The story of Archbishop MacDonald Council No. 6083 is closely connected with the story of Sherwood Park itself.

Our roots reach back to 1958, when Sherwood Park was still a young and rapidly growing community. That year, as the local Catholic community began to take shape, a Catholic Men’s Club was formed alongside the newly established parish community of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

Those early members gathered not only in faith and fellowship, but with a desire to serve their parish, their neighbours and the growing community around them. Their efforts helped support the early life of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish and laid the foundation for what would eventually become our Knights of Columbus council.

In 1968, the Catholic Men’s Club officially became a Knights of Columbus council, and Archbishop MacDonald Council No. 6083 was established.

The council was named in honour of Archbishop John Hugh MacDonald, who served as Archbishop of Edmonton from 1938 to 1964 and was known for his commitment to Catholic education, social justice, charitable service and community life.

Growing With Sherwood Park

As Sherwood Park grew, so did Council 6083.

Through the decades, members of the council have supported countless parish, youth, family and community initiatives. Early Knights were involved in fundraising, minor sports, hockey tournaments, track and field, parish activities and charitable projects throughout the community.

The council became a place where Catholic men could put their faith into action while building friendships and strengthening their community.

When Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish moved to its current Brower Drive location in 1983, Council 6083 continued to make the parish its spiritual home.

Over the years, generations of Knights have served as Grand Knights, officers, volunteers and mentors, continuing the traditions established by the council’s founding members.

Faith in Action

Charitable service has always been at the heart of Council 6083.

Members have volunteered their time and raised funds for organizations supporting families, youth, seniors and people experiencing hardship. The council has supported initiatives such as food banks, shelters, Coats for Kids, Catholic charities, youth programs, senior programs, parish ministries and organizations serving people with disabilities.

Council members have also taken their service beyond Sherwood Park.

One notable example has been the council’s involvement with Edmonton’s Bissell Centre, where Knights and parish volunteers helped provide meals to people in need. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when traditional meal service was disrupted, volunteers adapted by preparing and distributing bagged lunches so the program could continue.

It was another example of a tradition that has defined Council 6083 throughout its history: when the needs of the community change, the Knights find a way to help.

More Than Service

Council 6083 has also always valued fraternity.

Pancake breakfasts, dinners, dances, family gatherings, parish events, installations of officers, remembrance ceremonies and social activities have brought members and their families together for generations.

These gatherings help create the friendships and sense of brotherhood that are an important part of the Knights of Columbus.

In 2018, Archbishop MacDonald Council No. 6083 celebrated its 50th anniversary as a Knights of Columbus council — an important milestone recognizing half a century of faith, charity, unity and fraternity.

Yet the council’s connection to Sherwood Park reaches even further back. From the Catholic Men’s Club established in 1958 to the Knights serving the community today, our history represents more than six decades of Catholics working together to make their parish and community stronger.

Our Story Continues

Today, Archbishop MacDonald Council No. 6083 continues to serve Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Sherwood Park and the greater community.

The faces have changed over the years, but the purpose remains much the same as it was when that first group of Catholic men came together in 1958:

to strengthen our faith, support our families, serve our neighbours and leave our community better than we found it.

We are proud of the generations of Knights who built Council 6083, grateful for those who continue that work today, and excited for the generations who will carry it forward.

Our history is still being written.