On Saturday, January 31, 1914. Pr. Hartlage and Mr Herman Storath canvassed the area for the purpose of starting a Sunday School. On the following Sunday Febtuary 1st. at the home of
Mr. B.F. Creamer, St. Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Sunday School was organized by Mr. Storath at 10AM. After meeting several Sundays in the Creamer Home, the Sunday School moved across the road to a red building owned by Judge Bayard Williams. The original church record reads, "Mr Bayard Williams, the owner showing us his great kindness by letting us use the building gratis."On Sunday July 12, 1914, a church service was held at 3PM with 25 persons present. Then on October 5,1914,
Pr. Hartlage called a meeting of the men for the purpose of organizing a congregation and according to the original church records,it was "Resolved to call the congregation
"St. Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Church". The records shows the first officers of the congregation were Rev. C.F.W. Hartlage President, Mr. John Vesper Vice President, Mr. Herman Storath Secretary, and Mr. John Fahslan Treasurer.
On February 14,1915 Mr. Oscar Buehner reported at the congregation meeting that "Mr. Bayard Williams is going to give us a clear title to the ground of our new church". On June 22, 1915 Mr. George P. Mueller was contracted to build the new church for $2,480.00, size to be 24X40 feet,with a slate roof. On Sunday October 10 at 3PM, the new church was dedicated. In November, 1925 Mr. John Lang donated a large bell, which is still in use in the church to call worshippers to the house of prayer. Also in 1925 St Luke's built a new hall beside the church. It cost $7,489.00 and was used for many years as a meeting place for Sunday School, scouts, church suppers, etc.
In 1929 after 15 years as St.Luke's Pastor, Pastor Hartlage left and the Rev. E.C.Moellman took over as new pastor, St. Luke's continued to grow. Another new church was planned and in 1954, the congregation began to hold services in the American Legion Hall while the basement of the new church was being built. Services were then held in the new roofed-over basement while construction progressed on the upper sturcture. In January of 1961, the present church was dedicated. It cost about $330,000.
In 1967 after 38 years at St Luke's Pr. E.C. Moellman retired and The Rev. Zoltan L. Nagy became St. Luke's third pastor in 53 years. In 1968 Pr. Moellman returned for Thanksgiving Service and also to take part in the burning of the mortgage on the new church. In 1972 Pastor Nagy accepted a call to another church. Pastor Compton filled in as interium pastor until January, 1974, when St. Luke's received its fourth pastor the Rev. Matthew L. Ernest. After 7-1/2 years Pastor Ernest accepted a call to Atlanta, Ga. In February, 1982 St. Luke's welcomed its fifth pastor The Rev. David B. Kaplan who faithfully served the congregation and her Lord for fourteen years. After Pr. Kaplan accepted a call to Hagerstown, the congregation was served by several interim pastors.
The Rev. John Dornheim was called to be the sixth pastor and he assumed the pastorate in June, 1998. The Rev. John Dorheim resigned, at that time we had an interim Pastor Kenneth Nehmer until we received our seventh and present pastor Rev. Vicki L. Hamel on January 2004.
Over the years St. Luke's has changed in many ways as it adjusts to serve the community. A new national church body, new organ,new air conditioning and many new faces. Yet through it all,one thing remains constant namely the church's faithfulness to the ministry of Jesus Christ, her savior and Lord. As we stand on the dawn of a new millennium may she be ever faithful.