St. Luke's Episcopal Church: History Page

St Luke's Episcopal Church
Marianna, Florida
Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast
The Rt. Rev. Philip M. Duncan II, Bishop
The Rev. Norman Bray, Pastor

History
St. Luke's Episcopal Church is located in Marianna, a town with a population of about 12,100 in the Florida panhandle seventy miles west of Tallahassee. The town is in Jackson County, the third oldest county in the state, created in 1822 soon after the Florida territory had been acquired from Spain. There are a number of fine old homes in the area, many dating from before the Civil War. The present population of the county is about 41,375.
A beautiful little river, the Chipola, flows at the edge of town and separates it from The Florida Caverns State Park to the north. There are abundant opportunities for fishing and hunting in the area surrounding the town.
St. Luke's was organized March 7, 1838, by 12 to 15 families that came together to worship. It is believed that the name St. Luke's was adopted because of the preponderance of physicians in the group that founded the church.
The first church was constructed of locally cut limestone in 1854 and was soon declared unsafe. A new wooden structure was finished in 1862. On September 27, 1864, during Battle of Marianna the church was burned to the ground by Union troops. The officer in charge of the assaulting force, Major Nathan Cutler, rescued the church's Bible from the burning building and presented it to the rector. This Bible is on display at the rear of the church.
A new church was constructed in 1879 and lasted until 1941, when it too was consumed by fire. With the aid of sympathetic townsfolk another church was begun, but the onset of World War II and the scarcity of materials delayed its completion. The basement of the church had been completed, which the congregation used it for a sanctuary until the superstructure could added and the church completed in 1947. The church was consecrated in 1948. The church has been blessed with many improvements over the years. The most resent renovation was in 1988 .
The church itself is a light yellow brick building located one block west of Down Town Marianna on Lafayette Street (U.S. 90). It has a vaulted wooden ceiling, superior stained glass windows, and has been enhanced by the installation of a tracker type pipe organ by A. David Moore Organ, Inc. donated by a communicant. Funds for maintenance of the organ were also provided. The church has a seating capacity of about 122 persons. It is bordered at the rear and side by an historically significant cemetery. The church, grounds and cemetery are listed on the Jackson County Historical Register.
St. Luke's is a small church and a small congregation. We all know each other and feel a bond of friendship and fellowship we offer an open door, open communion, and open hearts to all who wish to worship with us.
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Last update 08/12/07