In September 2006, Tom Butler, Jr. took charge of a beautification project up at St. Augustine’s House, in Oxford, as he worked to become an Eagle Scout.
St. Augustine’s is the only Lutheran monastery in the United States. It is located on East Drahner Road.
Butler volunteered over thirty hours to plan and build three stone walls around the divided driveway at the entrance of the property. ‘I wanted to make it look nicer,? he said.
Butler credits Ernie Baker with the original idea to build the walls. Baker was looking for someone who needed to work on an Eagle Scout project, which is how Butler became involved.
Butler, a Lake Orion High School graduate of 2006, joined Cub Scouts in elementary school. He had a friend who was already a Cub Scout who would tell him about all the fun things they did. Butler then worked his way up to becoming an Eagle Scout, where each individual needs to complete a service project before achieving the ranking.
He is currently studying biology at Oakland University, where he recently completed his freshmen year. He continues to be involved in Scouts, going to meetings when his busy college schedule allows.
For his project, Butler met with the Rev. Richard Herbel from the monastery to discuss what kind of walls to build. He then came up with a design, which included planting a couple of small gardens at the entrance.
The next step was to go around speaking to different individuals and to companies, including Red Knapp’s American Grill, about funding the project. According to Butler, Orion Stone Depot was ‘very helpful throughout the project,? with explaining how to build a stone wall and providing the stones at cost. Wojo’s Nursery and Greenhouse provided the landscaping with a substantial discount.
Before the building could begin, Butler and his parents, Thomas and Victoria, and his siblings Nathan, Lia and Joseph, went out to the site to clear away brush from where the walls were going to stand.
Butler gathered friends from his Scout troop and family members to help with the building. Everyone worked in shifts of about 20 people, with Butler working on every shift.
It took two separate trips to the monastery to build the walls. The first was to build the foundation, the second to create the walls.
‘It was a lot of hard work and a lot of fun,? said Butler, reflecting on his experience. ‘I gained more that I ever thought.?
Butler said that he now has more of an understanding when it comes to leadership skills and how to communicate his ideas to others. He also enjoyed learning more about other religions, as he and his family are members at Saint Joseph Catholic Church on Lapeer Road.
Butler and his family occasionally visit the monastery and are frequently invited to events.
‘The flowers should soon start to be blooming again,? adds Butler, proud of what he has accomplished.