St. Lucas United Church of Christ History

On July 14, 1889, Pastor Schmidt arrived in Evansville to lead a new congregation.  On July 21 St. Lucas was born.  Dedication of the sanctuary took place on April 20, 1890.  St. Lucas continued to grow and the Sunday School Hall was dedicated on October 27, 1907.  The 21 stained glass windows were bestowed on September 21, 1911.  St. Lucas has continued to thrive and had many updates to further God's calling.

The St. Lucas Parish Hall went through many changes during its existence as our Sunday School home.  Many fun and exciting events took place in this building.  The church bazaar was always looked forward to with anticipation as to what would be found in the craft booths.  Of course, the chicken and dumplin' dinner was always delicious and enjoyed by many in the community.  During the 1937 flood the Indiana Naval Militia quartered in the parish house.  The church office also became a broadcasting station of military forces.  Then on March 2000 the Parish Hall became Lucas Place.  This is now a key mission of St. Lucas Church.

Music became an active part of St. Lucas on 1893 when the Giesecke tracer action pipe organ was dedicated.  Then in 1895 the church orchestra became alive and continues to thrive today.  Mr. Ben Oakes currently directs the orchestra following in the footsteps of Elmer Bruck and Bill Cox.  The St. Lucas choirs have flourished and have had wonderful direction from devoted individuals such as Bill Johnson, Cheryl Schultz, Dr. Mark Simmons, Jerry Hoover and now Dr. Jon Truitt.  The Aeolian Skinner organ was rededicated on October 23, 2003 with Kirk Rich at the console.  This organ has been played by many fine organists including E. Power Biggs, Fenner Douglas, Vincent Dubois of Paris, France, and Mrs. Hope Nelson to whom the organ is dedicated for 31 years of service to God and St. Lucas.

St. Lucas has been blessed with many wonderful pastors.  Many of these ministers have gone on to serve other congregations and conferences.  Two, Rev. Carol Barth-Schauss and Dr. Thom Webster, currently serve the Indiana-Kentucky Conference.  We are now focusing on a new vision under the leadership of Reverend Lynn Martin.  With his guidance, we are praying that St. Lucas will continue the missions that our founders believed in so many years ago.

We are now celebrating 115 years as Christ's followers.  Much has changed over the years except for our dedication to God.  With His ever present Spirit, the members of St. Lucas strive each day to lead the life that Jesus so lived.