Parish History
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church has the honor of being the first church in Catskill, New York. The church was incorporated on October 24, 1801, but there are references to a congregation meeting several years before that date, when the “Circuit Preacher” visited the area. In 1803, Trinity Church in Manhattan donated the seed money of two thousand dollars to build a church. St. Luke’s is one of many “daughter churches” of Trinity.
The first Rector was Ammi Rogers who served from 1801-1802. He was followed by Rev. Richard Bradford, under whose leadership the church was constructed on Church Street Catskill. This building was located next to a wood planing factory and over the years cinders would smolder and set little fires. On September 11, 1839 another cinder landed on the roof and the church burned to the ground. The famous artist, Thomas Cole, who was an active member of the church and a Vestryman, drew up plans for the second church. That building was completed on the original site on February 28, 1840. The congregation continued to prosper and a rectory was purchased on Spring Street in 1861.
Meanwhile, the second church building experienced other small fires, including on that did considerable damage from the church Christmas tree! Repairs were made, but by 1892 the congregation was ready for a new site and land was purchased on William Street. The cornerstone of the beautiful stone church that now stands on that site was laid on October 18, 1893, the feast day of St. Luke. The construction was financed by small monetary pledges from the congregation and others supplemented by the sale price of the second church. The nation experienced a depression at the turn of the century and building stopped until the Rector secured a mortgage which allowed for completion. The church was completed and dedicated on June 6, 1899, Rt. Rev. Frederick Barry, Bishop of Albany, officiating.
Many furnishings and artifacts were moved from the old church, including pews (1840), the bell (1881), sedilia (1878) and the Baptismal font. Many of the furnishings that were donated in 1899 are still in the church. The marble altar, the brass Communion rail and chalices, ewer, candlesticks are just come of these items. The beautiful stained glass windows were contributed as memorials for loved ones beginning in 1898 and continuing through the 1960’s. The bell spire was erected in 1898 in memory of Rachel Van Loan Breasted by her sister, Jane Van Loan.
In 1910 the cornerstone of the Parish House (parish hall) was laid and a new rectory was built on William Street in 1929.
In 1913 another mortgage was secured for building the rectory, structural repairs and updates. When that mortgage was satisfied (February 1949) a consecration ceremony for the church was held on May 29, 1949. This marked the first time that the church was free of debt.
The Memorial Chapel was constructed in 1952 entirely from memorial donations. At that time the Vestry voted that all additions or repairs to the chapel were to be from memorials only. The altar in the chapel has always been referred to in church records as “The Servicemen’s Altar.” A plaque in the hall outside the chapel lists the names of servicemen from the parish. The chapel is used daily for Morning Prayer and Eucharist. It is much beloved by the parishioners.
St. Luke’s continues to be a house of prayer and healing which is welcoming to one and all and the congregation is actively involved in the community.
The first Rector was Ammi Rogers who served from 1801-1802. He was followed by Rev. Richard Bradford, under whose leadership the church was constructed on Church Street Catskill. This building was located next to a wood planing factory and over the years cinders would smolder and set little fires. On September 11, 1839 another cinder landed on the roof and the church burned to the ground. The famous artist, Thomas Cole, who was an active member of the church and a Vestryman, drew up plans for the second church. That building was completed on the original site on February 28, 1840. The congregation continued to prosper and a rectory was purchased on Spring Street in 1861.
Meanwhile, the second church building experienced other small fires, including on that did considerable damage from the church Christmas tree! Repairs were made, but by 1892 the congregation was ready for a new site and land was purchased on William Street. The cornerstone of the beautiful stone church that now stands on that site was laid on October 18, 1893, the feast day of St. Luke. The construction was financed by small monetary pledges from the congregation and others supplemented by the sale price of the second church. The nation experienced a depression at the turn of the century and building stopped until the Rector secured a mortgage which allowed for completion. The church was completed and dedicated on June 6, 1899, Rt. Rev. Frederick Barry, Bishop of Albany, officiating.
Many furnishings and artifacts were moved from the old church, including pews (1840), the bell (1881), sedilia (1878) and the Baptismal font. Many of the furnishings that were donated in 1899 are still in the church. The marble altar, the brass Communion rail and chalices, ewer, candlesticks are just come of these items. The beautiful stained glass windows were contributed as memorials for loved ones beginning in 1898 and continuing through the 1960’s. The bell spire was erected in 1898 in memory of Rachel Van Loan Breasted by her sister, Jane Van Loan.
In 1910 the cornerstone of the Parish House (parish hall) was laid and a new rectory was built on William Street in 1929.
In 1913 another mortgage was secured for building the rectory, structural repairs and updates. When that mortgage was satisfied (February 1949) a consecration ceremony for the church was held on May 29, 1949. This marked the first time that the church was free of debt.
The Memorial Chapel was constructed in 1952 entirely from memorial donations. At that time the Vestry voted that all additions or repairs to the chapel were to be from memorials only. The altar in the chapel has always been referred to in church records as “The Servicemen’s Altar.” A plaque in the hall outside the chapel lists the names of servicemen from the parish. The chapel is used daily for Morning Prayer and Eucharist. It is much beloved by the parishioners.
St. Luke’s continues to be a house of prayer and healing which is welcoming to one and all and the congregation is actively involved in the community.