Saint Luke Lutheran Church (Elizabeth, New Jersey) Records

A number of LCMS Lutherans who had moved to Elizabeth, New Jersey wanted to establish a congregation. The Mission Board of the Atlantic District of the LCMS was receptive to their request in 1919. Candidate Henry L. Koepchen was ordained and installed at Saint Luke Ev. Lutheran Church in New York City on September 14, 1919. The Church Extension Fund of the Atlantic District bought a house in Elizabeth to service as a meeting place for the new Lutheran mission. The first floor would consist of the chapel and Sunday School, and the second floor was the new pastor's housing. The first worship service was held on October 19, 1919, followed by the first regular service on October 26, 1919. The congregation was officially organized on November 4, 1919. Saint Luke became self-supporting in early 1923. Also in 1923, the congregation purchased the property of All Saints Episcopal Church. This property had a portable church with a large adjoining house. The first service was held at this facility on April 29, 1923. This property became very desirable business property, so the congregation sold it in 1926. Land was purchased by the congregation two days later. In the meantime, the congregation rented two neighboring church buildings until their new sanctuary was built. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on September 12, 1926, and the cornerstone was laid on October 24, 1926. Dedication Day was May 15, 1927. The tenth anniversary of the congregation was celebrated on October 20, 1929. The fifteenth anniversary was celebrated on October 21, 1934. On October 22, 1939, a special service was held to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the founding of the congregation. The twenty-fifth anniversary of the congregation was celebrated on October 22, 1944, and the thirtieth on October 23, 1949. The thirty-fifth anniversary was celebrated on October 24, 1954. Saint Luke's Parish Center was dedicated on September 1, 1957. The adjacent property to the building became available, so the congregation purchased it in September 1956. The fortieth anniversary was recognized with several festivities in the fall of 1959. The forty-fifth anniversary service was held on October 18, 1964. 1969 marked the fiftieth anniversary. The fifty-fifth anniversary service was held on October 20, 1974, and 60th was held on October 21, 1979. During the 1960s, additions were made to the sanctuary and the parsonage. Women's suffrage came to the congregation in 1971. The church basement was also renovated in 1971. Renovations to various areas of the property continued to be completed in the 1980s and 1990s.