Saint Luke Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

 “Standing On God’s Promises” 

          This great church was organized just six years after slavery ended in 1869, under a brush arbor in the small sawmill quarters section of town then known as Cherokee.  Today, it is know as Tockwoton.  The church was later moved to a building owned and occupied by the Eastern stars.  The Eastern stars members decided to move to a place known as Midway Church community.  Saint Luke was left without a meeting place.  This small group, headed by Daddy Cray and Mrs. Susie Brown, found a meeting place on the corner of Hansell and Washington Streets.  Meeting here for a short time, they begin to worship in homes.  They found land and built the first church on the corner of Broad and Merrill Streets in 1904.

     The church was hardly a year old when it joined the Colored Methodist Episcopal Conference.  At that time, the Reverend G. W. Washington was the pastor.  In 1907, a storm demolished that building and another was built.  Rev. J. S. Wiggins was assigned as the first pastor when the building was completed.  The church membership grew, boasting eight members.  As years passed, the church became a solid rock for the community, becoming a meeting place for many religious activities.

     Some of Saint Luke's pastors have been:  The Reverends F. A. Foley, C. F. McCray, J. W. West, Paul Powell, J. W. Walker, N. T. Everette, Ragans, F. H. Washington, R. N. Moore, C. M. Jenkins, G. Dixon, J. C. Martin, C. L. Russell, and Reverend N. T. Tinsley, M. H. Rutherford, C. M. Debose, W. R. Smith, A. T. Clark, J. H. Davis, C. J. Washington, T. L. Thompson, George Crockett (his daughter Lillie Mae served as pianist from a teenager until her early 60s), O. R. Jackson, M. A. Davis, J. A. Holman, O. L. Barr, and T. A. Clayton.

     In 1932, under the leadership of the Reverend N. K. Kimball, Saint Luke’s first parsonage was built on land given by Mr. Henry R. Delaney, Sr.

     The church building remained facing Merrill Street until 1955, when the building was condemned by the city because of structural damage.  The building was rebuilt in 1956.  Until the building was completed, services were held in the parsonage on Madison Street

     Brother Walter Scott, Brother Calvin Hadley, Brother John Glenn, Brother Robert Bush, Brother Earnest Bryant, Brother John Gilbert, Brother J. V. Vaughn, and Brother Henry Cobb were serving as stewards and /or as trustees.  Mr. David Williams was Superintendent of Sunday School for many years.  He served this position until his death.  Mrs. Gussie Williams, Mrs. Anna Robinson, Mrs. Rosa Washington, Mrs. Clara Stripling, Mrs. Mamie Delaney, Mrs. Cornella Rogers Brown, Mrs. Annie Brown, Mrs. Mamie Johnson, Mrs. Minnie Glenn, and many others were outstanding members who were responsible for much of Saint Luke’s success.  A new building was planned.  The old building was torn down and services were held in the church parsonage until the building was completed.  The Right Reverend Arthur W. Warmack was bishop and the Reverend T. A. Clayton was the Presiding Elder.

     The Reverend L. A. Ragland was appointed to Saint Luke.  Later, under the administration of the Reverend Charles Miller, Sunday School classrooms, an assembly room, and a kitchen was added.

     In 1969, the Reverend L. Napier became pastor.  In 1970, the Reverend U. A. Hammonds became pastor, remaining for thirteen years.  Under his leadership, the front was remodeled.  The Reverend J. A. Pettigrew and the Reverend M. C. Pettigrew followed.

     In 1983, the Reverend Robert Peoples became pastor.  During his stay, the interior of the church was completely remodeled, adding new pews, choir stands and carpet.  The membership grew and we had a very successful three years under his leadership.  The Reverend Etha Pitts followed the Reverend Robert Peoples, being appointed the pastor of Saint Luke. 

     In 1989, the Reverend John H. Malone was appointed to Saint Luke.  Under his administration, we continued to move forward.  The Missionary Society served breakfast once each month for the senior citizens of the community.  Mrs. Mattie B. Carruthers organized the Midweek church school for children from Kindergarten to five years old on Wednesday afternoons from 3:00 until 5:00PM followed by Bible study.  It was the only midweek church school for children in this area and the only one in the South Georgia CME region.  The curriculum consisted of Bible study, homework, music, and a time for fun and refreshments.  Sometimes fifty or more were served by this school.  Mrs. Joreatha Malone, Mrs. Vivian Howell, Mr. Tim Revels and others were there to help with homework and the other activities.  Rev. Hammonds continued the evening for families with his Bible studies.  The Wednesday sessions grew and the space at the church became too crowded.  Mrs. Carruthers decided that more room was needed.  She would say, “Let’s just think about relocating and building a church for the future.”  This we were able to do. 

     In 1994, under Reverend Malone’s administration, the members decided that more space was needed to expand.  The committee located thirteen plus acres of land on the corner of Chatham and Woodland Drive. We were able to pay for it in half the time expected.  Bishop Coles along with others gave sizable donations in order to purchase the land.

     One Sunday following morning services, Brother Willie Ponder approached Reverend Malone and said, “Brother Pastor, we need to clear some of the land for our new church.”  Reverend Malone said to him, “Set the time.”  Brother Willie Ponder and Brother Morris Carruthers set and kept the schedule.  They kept the land clean and even planted a vegetable garden on it until we were able to build.  We even had watermelons at church picnics from their garden on the grounds.

     On the fifth Sunday, July 1995, we held our Homecoming Services at the new sight under the oak trees.  The Reverend U. A. Hammonds Sr., our associate pastor, delivered a soul searching sermon, “Don’t Put Out The Fire.”

     On June 10, 1996, a mortgage burning ceremony was held.  Mrs. Carruthers was chairman of the Trustee board at that time and served until her death.  She and the remaining trustees were honored for their dedication to the new building project.

     On Sunday, March 3, 1998, Bishop Othal H. Lakey delivered our 129^th Anniversary sermon, “Up To Now”, and to break ground for the New Saint Luke Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (the fourth building).  We formed a motorcade to the new site to break ground.  It was a day we will remember – from the oldest, Mrs. Lady McClain, to the youngest, Miss Maria Dunbar.

     On Sunday, March 7, 1999 at 4:00 PM, our last official service was held at the old Saint Luke on Broad Street with the Holy Communion.  Reverend John H. Malone, our pastor at the time, was very proud of those people who had worked so hard together to make this day possible.  Emotions ran high, the final hour had come when we would leave the old Saint Luke for good.  At 4:00 PM, we formed a motorcade to the New Saint Luke Church located at 134 Chatham Drive.  Bishop Lakey cut the ribbon.  A processional was formed singing, “We Are Marching to Zion.”  Bishop Lakey delivered a powerful sermon, “Who Gave You the Authority to Build This Church?”

     June 22-26, 1999, the South Georgia Annual Conference was held at Saint Luke and the Reverend James N. Greene, Jr. was assigned as pastor.  Since that time, we have continued to move forward.  During Reverend Greene’s stay at Saint Luke, the church membership continued to grow.  One of the highlights was the music department.  A Sanctuary choir was formed.  Mrs. Frances Greene Williams taught piano lessons to both the youth and adults until her death.  Some other activities implemented were the reorganization of Children’s Church on Wednesday, the formation of a Nurses’ Guild, organized basketball for boys, the Golden Tree of Life project, and a Memorial garden in memory of Mrs, Mattie B. Carruthers and Mr. Willie Ponder (others will be added).  A church library is in the organizational phase.

    Saint Luke has been richly blessed.  Eleven members have been ordained or accepted the calling to preach the word.  They are the Reverend George Crockett, Reverend James A. Bush, Reverend Isadore Smith, Reverend Chestina Delaney, Reverend John H. Malone, Reverend Willie Wade, Reverend J. Renee’ Holton, Reverend Mack Booker, Reverend Mary Coston, Reverend Frank Payne, Sr., Reverend Connie E. Scott, and Brother Robert Hunt.