Bro. Calvin Bennett
Keeping a church as large as St. Matthew AME sparkling clean can be daunting, but Calvin Bennett sees it as "easy work" because he enjoys it.
"Some days are harder than others," he said, but his daily routine makes it easy work.
He has been the maintenance worker for St. Matthew since 2005, when he started part-time, and was then hired full time in 2006 by the late Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, who pastored St. Matthew from 1981 to 2012.
"He was easy to get along with and Pastor (Melvin) Wilson is the same way," he said with a smile.
Bennett has also been a faithful member of St. Matthew during the 21 years he has worked for the church. Sunday is his day off, and he regularly attends the morning worship service and Sunday school classes. It's also when he gets to watch sports programs. "I love all sports, especially basketball and football," he said. His favorite football team is Pittsburgh and his favorite basketball team is San Antonio.
While the members of the congregation may not always see him, Bennett is working behind the scenes for most activities held at the church.
He begins his week setting up chairs and tables and whatever is needed for the Monday food pantry, where thousands of pounds of food are given out each week. "Sometimes I bring in the food also," he said. And when the giveaway is done, Bennett does the cleanup. "It gets very busy," he said.
His daily routine starts with cleaning the sanctuary and the narthex. He and his part-time assistant, Anthony "Bubba" Rooks, sweep and mop the floors, clean the pews and bathrooms on the first level before moving to the second floor to clean the main office, the board room, bathrooms and the pastor's office. And lastly, he cleans the basement, the kitchen and the dining room.
"The hardest thing is cleaning any leaks that may happen in the basement," he said. And while his duties do not include taking care of the parking lot, he will make sure the rugs are cleaned around the doorways. "I'll put some salt down when it's needed," he said.
He suffered a heart attack a few years ago. "I just thank God for making me well," he said. "I came through pretty well."
"I'll have it ready. I will give them my best."
Bennett said he won't consider retiring for another two or three years. And, he said, the church will be ready for the people who will attend the annual conference at St. Matthew in March.
By Sandra Long Weaver