Welcome to St. Lukes!

We are a diverse congregation committed to helping people on their spiritual journey and who seek a deeper spiritual relationship to God in their lives.

In the Episcopal tradition, Holy Communion, also known as the Eucharist, is our primary form of worship.  All baptized Christians are welcomed at the Altar.

A Greeting from our Rector

Welcome to St. Luke's! We encourage you to join us in worship, Christian Education, and fellowship. Someone from the church will be happy to respond to any questions you may have about our life together. On behalf of our entire congregation, I extend you a very warm welcome.

               Sincerely,
               Father Joel W. Huffstetler

Come Visit Us!

Central Avenue at Ocoee Street
P. O. Box 5 Cleveland, TN 37364
stlukes@stlukescleveland.org
(423) 476-5541

A Brief History of our
Church Building

St. Luke's Memorial Episcopal Church is one of the oldest buildings in Cleveland, Tennessee.  the building was built by the Craigmiles Family in memory of their daughter, Nina, after she was killed in an accident when a train ran into the horse and buggy in which she was riding.  The Craigmiles were a very prominent family in Cleveland and therefore no expense was spared in the building of the church.  A mausoleum was built of carrera marble at the same time to house Nina's remains and those of her family. 

The original Episcopal church in Cleveland was named St. Alban's, and was meeting next door in the Presbyterian Church at the time.  First Presbyterian Church is the oldest church in town with St. Luke's being the second oldest.  Both buildings still stand a block apart from each other.  St. Alban's was established in 1867.

When the present building was built the name was changed to St. Luke's Memorial Episcopal Church in honor of Nina's death which was on St. Luke's Day in October.  The building was consecrated on St. Luke's Day in 1872, the anniversaay of Nina's death.  The building is considered one of the few Oxford Movement American gothic churches in the world and has remained largely as it was when built with the addition of electricity, air conditioning, and heating.

The church campus covers an entire city block and is surrounded by a crenulated wall with ornate iron gates.  In addition to the church and the mausoleum, there are two other buildings within the block.  St. Luke's Parish House is home to Church School classes, choir and youth programs, and staff offices.  St. Luke's Parish Hall, built in 1988, is designed for large meetings, meals, and receptions.

Among the architectural features that distinguish St. Luke's are its beautiful stained glass windows, intricate wood carved arches, and stenciled pipes of the pipe organ.  The most prominent feature of teh building is its 3 story bell tower which houses a 61 true cast bell electric carillon.  The bells ring out on the quarter hour with the Westminster Chime and have been a part of the fabric of the city for years.  On Sunday mornings before services English Change Rings peal out and flood downtown Cleveland with beautiful calls to worship.

Although St. Luke's has preserved and celebrated its past, it has also embraced the futurue by continuing to offer liturgical, tradtional Anglican worship.  St. Luke's adheres to its rich Anglican roots and is a companion parish with St. Michael's Church, Stoney Stanton, England, and with St. Paul's Anglican Church, Athens, Greece.

All are welcome to worship at St. Luke's We are a diverse congregation committed to helping people on their spiritual journey and who seek a deeper spiritual relationship in their lives.

Sundays
                      September - May
  8:00am     Holy Eucharist Rite I
  9:30am     Adult Choir Rehearsal
  9:30am     Church School for All Ages
  9:30am     Holy Eucharist Rite II
  10:45am   Holy Eucharist Rite II with Choir
  5:00pm     Jr. High Youth (EYC)
  6:30pm     Sr. High Youth (EYC)

Weekly Schedule