THE ORIGIN OF THE ST. LUKE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
(1886-1921)
The St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church was organized by Rev. Jake Moore in the year of 1886. There were great prayer meetings taking place within the community and people were going from house to house each week. The Spirit of God moved upon Rev. Jake Moore to organize a church and prayerfully the work began. In six years God move on the heart of Bro. Lewis Carson and his mother and two acres of land was donated to St. Luke for worshiping purposes.
On one August afternoon in 1892, business was transacted, and a group of trustees built a brush arbor for worship purposes. The church was under the leadership of Rev. J. R. Robertson, whose length of service is unknown to this date. Rev. Robertson was succeeded by Mike Wiggins. Rev. Wiggins was succeeded by Rev. Dan Parker. Rev. Dan Parker served to 1905. Although there is no record, it is believed the first church was erected during this time. Rev. L. L. Lewis was called to pastor. He served for 14 years. Rev. Lewis was succeeded the same year by Rev. T. M. Chambers who served to 1921.
The Middle Years (1921-fall of 1973)
In 1921 the church was rebuilt under the leadership of Rev. H. H. Cunningham. Henry Smith, Elias Pogue, Sr., Matt Peoples, Charlie Epting, and W. H. Myles were deacons who were very helpful during this time. Preston Epting was ordained as deacon during the 16 tenure of Rev. Cunningham.
In 1937 after the resignation of Rev. Cunningham, Rev. C. H. Riley (field missionary) led the church for 18 months.
In 1939, the moderator of Cypress District, Rev. J. I. Gilmore was called to pastor under His leadership five deacons were ordained; William McKinley Ivery, Sr., Chester Epting, Dexter Clayton, Elgie Clayton, Sr. and Fred Dial. Rev. Gilmore served 22 years until his death.
On October 14, 1961, Elgie Clayton, Sr., who had accepted his call into the ministry was called to serve as interim pastor and serve for one year in that capacity. During this tenure a building program was started and Nathaniel Ivery was ordained as deacon.
November 14, 1962, the church called Rev. R. L. Stephaney. During his tenure plans were set for a new building, and the building that we presently worship was built, and one deacon Elias Pogue, Jr. was ordained. Pastor Stephaney served for one year and eleven month.
On October 24, 1964, the church called Rev. Willie Haggerty as pastor. During his tenure an annex was added to the church, new furniture was purchased, a cornerstone lay, and a water system added. Pastor Haggerty served for nine years.
The Recent Years (1973-present)
In October of 1973, the church called Rev. Elgie Clayton, Sr., during this tenure repair work was done, a public address system, air condition unit added, and concrete was poured. In 1982 the Pastor' study and choir room was repaired, and new padding for comfortable seating were added to the pews. Rev. Elgie Clayton, Sr., pastored for twenty-two years. On December 25, 1994, Pastor Clayton resigned due to health reasons.
On January 3, 1995, God called him from labor to reward.
On March 15, 1995, Rev. Troy L. Young was called to pastor. Under his leadership, remodeling on building has been done, microphones and new public address system added, Bibles, hymnals, new carpet and ceiling fans were purchased. The Christian and US flag donated and dedicated, and the church as grown from a two Sunday to a full-time church. Also under the leadership of Pastor Young five deacons has been ordained; Clyde Alexander, Ken Taylor, Frank Jimmerson, Curtis Peoples, and Tommy Clayton. One person has surrendered to his called in the ministry, Min. Kirk Clayton. Several new members have been added.
A Building Committee has been formed, building plans has been made and rendered, and efforts or going forth to build a new church in glory to God, in which we know, by the help of God, will be accomplished.
We know that as Pastor Young is led by the Holy Spirit, God will continue to do great things for this church and St. Luke will be the church that God desires it to be.
The St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church was organized by Rev. Jake Moore in the year of 1886. There were great prayer meetings taking place within the community and people were going from house to house each week. The Spirit of God moved upon Rev. Jake Moore to organize a church and prayerfully the work began. In six years God move on the heart of Bro. Lewis Carson and his mother and two acres of land was donated to St. Luke for worshiping purposes.
On one August afternoon in 1892, business was transacted, and a group of trustees built a brush arbor for worship purposes. The church was under the leadership of Rev. J. R. Robertson, whose length of service is unknown to this date. Rev. Robertson was succeeded by Mike Wiggins. Rev. Wiggins was succeeded by Rev. Dan Parker. Rev. Dan Parker served to 1905. Although there is no record, it is believed the first church was erected during this time. Rev. L. L. Lewis was called to pastor. He served for 14 years. Rev. Lewis was succeeded the same year by Rev. T. M. Chambers who served to 1921.
The Middle Years (1921-fall of 1973)
In 1921 the church was rebuilt under the leadership of Rev. H. H. Cunningham. Henry Smith, Elias Pogue, Sr., Matt Peoples, Charlie Epting, and W. H. Myles were deacons who were very helpful during this time. Preston Epting was ordained as deacon during the 16 tenure of Rev. Cunningham.
In 1937 after the resignation of Rev. Cunningham, Rev. C. H. Riley (field missionary) led the church for 18 months.
In 1939, the moderator of Cypress District, Rev. J. I. Gilmore was called to pastor under His leadership five deacons were ordained; William McKinley Ivery, Sr., Chester Epting, Dexter Clayton, Elgie Clayton, Sr. and Fred Dial. Rev. Gilmore served 22 years until his death.
On October 14, 1961, Elgie Clayton, Sr., who had accepted his call into the ministry was called to serve as interim pastor and serve for one year in that capacity. During this tenure a building program was started and Nathaniel Ivery was ordained as deacon.
November 14, 1962, the church called Rev. R. L. Stephaney. During his tenure plans were set for a new building, and the building that we presently worship was built, and one deacon Elias Pogue, Jr. was ordained. Pastor Stephaney served for one year and eleven month.
On October 24, 1964, the church called Rev. Willie Haggerty as pastor. During his tenure an annex was added to the church, new furniture was purchased, a cornerstone lay, and a water system added. Pastor Haggerty served for nine years.
The Recent Years (1973-present)
In October of 1973, the church called Rev. Elgie Clayton, Sr., during this tenure repair work was done, a public address system, air condition unit added, and concrete was poured. In 1982 the Pastor' study and choir room was repaired, and new padding for comfortable seating were added to the pews. Rev. Elgie Clayton, Sr., pastored for twenty-two years. On December 25, 1994, Pastor Clayton resigned due to health reasons.
On January 3, 1995, God called him from labor to reward.
On March 15, 1995, Rev. Troy L. Young was called to pastor. Under his leadership, remodeling on building has been done, microphones and new public address system added, Bibles, hymnals, new carpet and ceiling fans were purchased. The Christian and US flag donated and dedicated, and the church as grown from a two Sunday to a full-time church. Also under the leadership of Pastor Young five deacons has been ordained; Clyde Alexander, Ken Taylor, Frank Jimmerson, Curtis Peoples, and Tommy Clayton. One person has surrendered to his called in the ministry, Min. Kirk Clayton. Several new members have been added.
A Building Committee has been formed, building plans has been made and rendered, and efforts or going forth to build a new church in glory to God, in which we know, by the help of God, will be accomplished.
We know that as Pastor Young is led by the Holy Spirit, God will continue to do great things for this church and St. Luke will be the church that God desires it to be.