1832-1844

Our current sign.

The Rev. Mr. John Chilton was the first rector of St. Luke’s. He also served the church in Brownsville, which was established a month after the one in Jackson. He served both parishes until 1834.

St. Luke’s labored under many difficulties in the early years because of the lack of money and of members. In 1837, there were only six communicants and no rector. Mr. Chilton returned as rector in 1840.

In 1839, the parish was honored with a visit from Tennessee Bishop, the Right Rev. James H. Otey, who held services in the Madison County Courthouse.

The Rev. Mr. Thomas West became rector of St. Luke’s in 1842. He also served Haywood, Fayette, and Tipton counties. Sunday School was organized in that year.

1845-1879

The oldest known photo of St. Luke's from 1857.

The original hand-pumped organ was installed in 1852, as was the church bell, which still calls the congregation to worship and tolls the death of parishioners at funerals. Pews and the chancel completed the building and the Right Rev. Otey consecrated St. Luke’s on May 14, 1853.

In 1855, James L. Talbot gave the parish a five-acre lot in the suburbs, on which the first rectory was built. Jackson Central Merry High School is now located on that site, on Allen Avenue. The Rev. Mr. John A. Harrison was rector of St. Luke’s at that time. He walked to many of the services at his downtown church during the 25 years he served the parish. This property was sold in 1874 and a lot east of the church was purchased for a new rectory.

The unique brass altar cross and the brass alms basin in use today were presented to the church in 1867 by Tennessee Bishop, The Right Rev. Thomas T. Quintard. (The cross is a copy of one in a Westminster Abbey chapel.) The cross and alms basin were a gift of the British Duchess of Teck, who met the bishop while he was in England raising funds for the University of the South at Sewanee, Tennessee. The duchess suggested he give them to “one of his parishes.” Bishop Quintard gave them to St. Luke’s.

1880s

St. Luke's in 1890.

The first communion vessels were made in the 1880s from “love gifts” of silver and other valuables from members of the congregation. Personal treasures such as baby cups, tablespoons, cuff links, jewels and other heirlooms were donated. The gold and silver were melted down and made into the communion vessels, with the donated jewels as adornments. The communion vessels are still in use today.

1885-1930

St. Luke's Reredos after the 2003 restoration.

The Diocesan Convention was again held at St. Luke’s in May, 1884. The Rev. Mr. George Hinkle, rector at that time, reported to the convention that the church had 240 communicants.

St. Thomas Episcopal Church was built at the corner of Hale and Cumberland Streets, for black Episcopalians in Jackson. The church was organized by the Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Martin, rector of St. Luke’s from 1892-1900. It became a diocesan mission. Finally, in 1962, St. Luke’s began welcoming African-American worshipers to its services, under the spiritual leadership of the Rev. Dr. Frank N. Butler. The St. Thomas building was deconsecrated in December, 1969.

St. Luke’s choir was organized during Dr. Martin’s tenure. The Altar Guild gave the brass lectern for the Holy Bible in his memory; Dr. Martin’s two sons gave the marble shield.

St. Luke’s had nine different rectors from 1900-1930. The Women’s Auxiliary and the Altar Guild were organized around 1900 and the brass processional cross was given by 25 parishioners, around 1904.

1930 - 1969

The Rev. Dr. Loaring-Clark

The Rev. Dr. Frank "Woody" Butler

The Rt. Rev. Frank Cerveny

Dr. Loaring-Clark’s wife, Ada, was prominent in national church affairs as well as those of St. Luke’s and the community. She was the first woman to serve on the National Council of the Episcopal Church and she organized the United Church Women in Jackson, which is still active. In 1932 she also formed St. Luke’s Order of the Daughters of the King, which bears her name. She was national president of that order at the time of her death, in 1936. Dr. Loaring-Clark retired in 1954 and was named rector emeritus of St. Luke’s; he died in 1959.

The Rev. Dr. Frank N. Butler filled the pulpit at St. Luke’s in 1954. He and his family occupied a new rectory at 19 Mimosa Drive, which was bought for their use.

The Rev. Mr. Frank S. Cerveny came to St. Luke’s in October, 1963, from the staff of Trinity Episcopal Church in New York City. He remained at St. Luke’s until 1969. During his tenure, he provided the parish with spiritual enrichment and motivation for new programs, such as planning for the establishment of the Episcopal Day School in Jackson. Father Cerveny served as bishop of the Diocese of Florida from 1975-1992.

1969 - 1990

The Rev. Paul Shields Walker

The Rev. Alex Comfort

The Rev. Jimmy Diffie

The Rev. Pat Sanders

In November, 1969, after much planning, the church dedicated the organ, which was custom-built by the Wicks Organ Company of Highland, Illinois. It had a 12-rank distribution of 775 pipes. The console of the organ was seriously damaged by the May 4, 2003 tornado, but the pipes were saved.

A memorial garden was begun in the north churchyard and a brick wall to surround it was erected in 1966. Under Father Walker’s direction, a patio entrance to the garden was built through remodeling of the parish hall in 1972, and the rectory, on Bethany Drive, was built.

The Rev. Mr. Alex Comfort was rector from 1983 to 1986, during which time a 9:00 a.m. Family Service was added. From 1986 to 1988, the Rev. Mr. Peter McGill was rector. Rev. Mr. James J. Diffee, Jr., a non-stipendiary priest, served the church twice: during the search between Father Comfort and Father McGill and again after Fr. McGill left. Fr. Diffee died in 1990; the stained glass windows in the sacristy are dedicated to his memory.

The Rev. Mr. Pat Sanders delayed his retirement to serve as interim priest from 1989 to 1990.

1990 - 2003

Tornado destruction from May 4, 2003.

During Father Filiatreau’s tenure, the Parish Hall was greatly enlarged (1995) by purchase of the Dunlap property, the columbarium was built (1997), the parking lot across from the church was added (2001), and the United Way Building, next door, was purchased (2003). The Diocesan Convention was held at St. Luke’s in 1997 and in 2003.

On May 4, 2003, St. Luke's Church was hit by an F4 tornado, tearing the roof off the building and scattering bricks from the front of the building.

Following the May 2003 tornado, the Saint Luke's community worked countless hours to salvage materials from the nave, and to clean up the parish hall and prepare it for ongoing church services until the nave was rebuilt.

In 2004, disgruntled with the Episcopal Church's decisions at General Convention in July of 2003, several parishioners left St. Luke's to create All Saints' Anglican Church in Jackson, under the supervision of the Anglican Church of Kenya. Roughly a third of the congregation left Saint Luke’s, an experience that many parishioners found horribly difficult as lifelong friends and fellow parishioners chose to sever ties to Saint Luke’s.

In May of 2004, Fr. Filiatreau retired as rector of St. Luke's and from parish ministry in the Episcopal Church. Shortly thereafter, he became rector of All Saints' Anglican Church in Jackson.

2004 - 2006

Post construction St. Luke's

In August of 2004, the Rev. Susan K. Crawford began her tenure as interim rector of Saint Luke’s. Mother Susan was instrumental in the rebuilding of Saint Luke's, both spiritually as well as physically. Under her direction and through hard work from many parishioners, St. Luke's began its hard work of recovery.

Today...

The Reverend Sean, Kiezha, and Cian Ferrell

Fr. Sean is excited to report that he has encountered an exciting, enthusiastic, resurrected, healthy, and thriving congregation seeking to follow the Risen Christ.

Saint Luke's is a wonderful place to encounter Christ and we hope that you will join us!