Saint Luke Parish History

September 14, 1962 – Announcement was made by Bishop Emmet M. Walsh that St. Luke Mission would be established, comprised of sections of St. Nicholas, St. Dominic, St. Charles, and Holy Family Parishes.  Fr. Edward J. Dierker was appointed  as Administrator, and Fr. Donald J. Oser,  Assistant.

September 23, 1962 – Three Sunday Masses were celebrated at Robinwood Lane  School. Due to the large turnout, the number of Masses  increased to five on October 7th. CCD classes were held  for elementary and high school students in Robinwood  classrooms.

March 1, 1964 – Ground was broken for $1.2 million physical plant to include School, Church and Rectory. Construction on the  school and rectory phase was  delayed until mid-April due  to rainy weather.

June 12, 1964 – St. Luke Mission was elevated to the status of Parish, and name was changed to St. Luke Catholic Church.

September 8, 1964 – With firm belief in Catholic education for the Parish  youth, school opens for grades 1 – 4, with two classes  of each grade level, under the direction of the Ursuline  Sisters, with Sr. Miriam Engles as Principal.

November 29, 1964 – The first Sunday of Advent was celebrated in our own  worship space, using the school auditorium as a  temporary church.

January 27, 1965 – Although construction was not yet completed, the priests moved into the Rectory.

August 22, 1965 – Plant was dedicated by then Auxiliary Bishop, James W. Malone, consisting of the School with fourteen classrooms, auditorium and offices, and the rectory with administrative offices and living quarters for the priests.  Construction costs had exceeded estimates, and plans for  the permanent Church are put on hold. School enrollment continued to rise, and as anticipated one grade level was added per year.

1965 – 1972 – Despite the cloud of heavy debt and the economic decline  of the community, the life of St. Luke  Parish grew.   Support organizations continued to be the center of  activity, ministries developed, and parish life thrived.

1972 – 1978 – Fr.  John P. Ashton was appointed pastor in 1972, and  measures were begun to reduce the large debt hanging  over the parish, including negotiating with the diocese a  moratorium on the Diocesan assessments.  The annual  summer festival was started to help with the debt  reduction, and the parishioners willingness to help added  to the fun and  fellowship each year.

1978 – 1985 – Fr. Ronald M. Klingler was appointed pastor on September  1, 1978.   He continued the measures that Fr.  Ashton had  implemented, with the goal of eliminating the  debt and  meeting the Diocesan obligations.

October 18, 1985 – On the Feast of St. Luke, in conjunction with former  pastors and the community of faith, a celebration was held  and the parish debt was retired.  The dream of a permanent  church that was part of the original vision remains in the  hearts and minds of all parishioners.

August 3, 1988 – Fr. Joseph A. Fata becomes the fourth pastor appointed to St. Luke.  Parish life continues to grow with new  organizations and ministries. Although the goal of meeting  the monthly diocesan obligations has not been realized,  the yearning  for a separate worship space is still evident.

1991 – 1992 – Entered into the research phase of a building project.   Diocesan representatives, Parish Council, Liturgy &  Finance Committees study the possibility of building a new church.  In September of 1992, Bishop James Malone gives permission to enter into phase two, consisting of fund raising,  financial feasibility, and selecting an architect. A Building Fund Committee is established, and the parish at large is informed of the project.

1993 – The General Building Fund Appeal begins. Meetings are held for the parishioners’ formation and input, and presentations are made by the architect and Diocesan representatives.

1994 – Plans for the seating arrangement are finalized and the parish is informed of the theological background and format of the new space.

May 28,1995 – With the goal of two-thirds of the total project cost having been raised, a prayer service and ground breaking ceremony is held.

July 24, 1995 – At the same time the Festival concessions are moving out, construction equipment is moving in. Work moves along quickly, in part due to excellent weather.

April 21, 1996 – The Official Closing Of The Worship Space takes place  after the 11:30 mass. The altar, chair and other artifacts  are moved to the new worship space.

April 27, 1996 – The first Mass is celebrated in the new church. Alleluia!

May 5, 1996 – Dedication Mass is celebrated with Bishop Thomas J. Tobin presiding.

September, 1999 – Through the generosity of one anonymous donor, the bell tower and bells were added to the church landscape.  The main bell is an exact replica on a smaller scale of a bell commissioned by Pope John Paul II for the Vatican to ring in the new millennium.  Casting for the St. Luke Bell began in 1997.  The inscription reads: “1997 – Tertio Millennio Adveniente” and carries the Papal insignia with the motto TOTUS TUUS.  An image of St. Luke with the words “For the Faithful of St. Luke Parish” was added.  Two smaller bells were added to the tower, purchased from the Verdin Company.  They ring daily for the Angeles, for weekend Masses, weddings and funerals.  They were rung for the first time on New Year, 2000.

January, 2001 – The church was built without going into debt, but the  Diocesan assessments were still not being met. A pledge campaign was launched and a loan was  taken out to pay our back assessments, and will be paid off by the end of  2002. Although the financial picture is not perfect, it is far better than it was, due to the faith and dedication of  the  parishioners of St. Luke.

June, 2016 – Father Gerald M. DeLucia was appointed Administrator during Father Joseph A. Fata’s leave of absence.

August 1, 2016 – Father Fata passed away.

October, 2016 – Father DeLucia was named Pastor.

August, 2017 – Rev. John E. Keehner was named Canonical Pastor and Sr. Mary Alyce Koval, OSU was named Parish Leader.

August, 2019 – Father Leo Wehrlin was named Pastor.

September, 2020 – Father Martin Celuch was named Pastor and installed on April 25, 2021.

August, 2022 – Msgr. John Zuraw was named the pastor  and installed on November 20, 2022. Sister Mary Alyce Koval’s position was re-named Pastoral Diocesan Associate.

 

You are invited to take a tour of Saint Luke Church

St. Luke Parish Video

Click here to view a video tribute to Saint Luke Church
(Video lasts approximately 1 hour)