St. Luke's Episcopal Church

Ada was established in July of 1891, and early in its settlement, several Episcopal
families moved into the area. The roots of St. Luke's are in the organization of a guild
for Episcopal women who began meeting in about 1910. In that same year,
communicants petitioned the bishop for regular services by a visiting priest in Ada.
Building began on the first church, a small frame structure, in 1913. The mission of St.
Luke's was established.

   The Reverend Franklin Davis was appointed as the first resident priest for St. Luke's mission in February, 1917. He
served until 1920 when he was appointed Archdeacon of Central Oklahoma. St. Luke's had a series of priests until 1930
when the Reverend Samuel Peard was appointed. During his tenure (1930-1933), St. Luke's attained parish status and grew
quickly. By the late 1930s, St. Luke's had outgrown its first church.

   In 1939 the cornerstone was laid for the present church building. The church proper, and later the rector and Christian
education building, were built of native limestone quarried near Ada. The architectural design is reputed to have been
modeled after designs attributed to Sir. Christopher Wren. As St. Luke's grew and expanded, additional space was needed.
The first Parish Hall was a renovated Air Force barracks. In 1951 the rectory was built. In 1961 the Christian Education
building (Blake Hall) was added to the facilities.

   The Reverend John Ashby came to St. Luke's in 1959 as rector, and after twenty-two years of faithful ministry, was called
to become the Bishop of the Diocese of Western Kansas. In 1981 the Reverend Kenneth Armstrong was called as rector and
served until the spring of 1991. Following Father Armstrong's ministry was the Reverend Dr. Dean Lierle (1992-1995) and
the current rector, the Reverend John Norvell who came to St. Luke's in February of 1995.

   Today, St. Luke's is generally recognized as a jewel of church architecture, certainly one of the most aesthetically pleasing
churches in the diocese, and indeed, in the entire region. But not to be neglected at St. Luke's are vital outreach ministries
that continue to grow in and benefit the Ada area. Providing food and other essentials for the needy through Matthew 25
Mission has made St. Luke's an open and inclusive community in difficult economic times. We have indeed been blessed,
and we know it. This is but one more tangible way of serving the world in Christ's name.