A Brief History of St. Luke United Methodist
St. Luke United Methodist Church is a congregation that has been in existence for more than one hundred years. In the late 1800's, many of the Methodists living on the north side of Lincoln met for worship in their homes. In 1891, these Methodists decided it was time to build a Methodist church for their part of town. Officially named for the donor of the land on which it was built, the Church was commonly known as the Lincoln Heights Church.
In 1904, members decided to build another building at a more central location. This church was also called Lincoln Heights. There were eighteen members at this time.
In the early 1900's, the church filled the social and religious needs of its young people. Plays, dinners, and ice cream socials developed skills that enabled these young people to become "pillars" of the church. In 1947, the basement was dug out by hand for more Sunday school rooms.
As the Sunday School grew, the original parsonage was used for more classrooms, and a new parsonage was build in 1960. The church continued to grow, and in 1967 ground was broken by the congregation pulling an old-fashioned plow. The new church location was on Superior Street. It was named St. Luke because Luke was a doctor, and the church members recognized the need to minister to the hurt and the young of the congregation. The old church bell was installed in a large cross marker near the street.
In 1991, the Sunday School classes were being held in every available part of the "new building", and members decided it was again time to enlarge the church. In 1993, a 12 room Family Learning Center was added to the church, with much of the labor being done by church members.
In 2009, an addition was added to allow elevator access to all levels, and the Narthex was enlarged and remodeled.
St. Luke is proud of its heritage and its steady growth as a church that appeals to people of all ages. We come from many different backgrounds and experiences, and here we find a warm and joyful atmosphere that brings us together and sends us out into the world with more faith and purpose.
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