Our History
One of Galt's original pioneer churches, St. Luke's has the distinction of being the town's oldest continous congregation still operating in its orginal worship space. Our Annual Christmas Bazaar, hosted every first weekend in December, is over 110 years old and is one of the oldest continous events celebrated in Galt. While the church building has seen a few modifications over the years to accomodate the safety and needs of a modern congregation, we have meticulously sought to preserve it as a symbol of Galt's spiritual heritage.
The first master plan of Galt envisioned "a church on every corner." While that would ultimately not bear out beyond the bounds of the original town grid, St. Luke's is still spreadng the message of hope, healing, and the love of Jesus Christ everywhere in our community.
"Ladies and Gentlemen: The very day -- the genial sunshine and atmosphere, lends a charm to the occasion. The presence of the ladies -- and it may be truly said that they originated and brought into existence the noble church enterprise that we are now commemorating, and have stood in the front ranks of its every movement -- adds another charm to this event."
- From the remarks of Dr. Obed Harvey at the laying of the cornerstone, 1884.
Dr. Obed Harvey founded Galt in 1869 after successfully persuading the Central Pacific Railroad to lay tracks near his property. Intially laid out as a 120 square acre grid, the Galt Master Plan included a stipulation from Dr. Harvey that a church would be constructed at each corner of the orginal boundary. The cornerstone for the Galt Congregational Church (later St. Luke's Episcopal Church), was laid on May 15, 1884, and the dedication of the church took place on November 23rd of the same year.
The legacy of the Harvey family is woven into the history of St. Luke's. The large stained glass window on the south wall of the nave was given in memory of their infant daughter Maude, who passed away at 2 years old, and a Harvey family Bible from 1868 remains on display just below it. The bell in our steeple was presented to the church as a joint gift by Mrs. Susan Harvey and Judge Gage. Dr. Harvey's daughter Genevieve, just 4 year old at the dedication, remained an active and prominent member of St. Luke's until her death in 1961 at age 80.
"We desire to express our grateful thanks for the assistance we have received, not alone in money, but kind works and warm interest felt on the success of the enterprise. If you continue to stand by us with the same spirit, we will continue our work and have not only a fine church...but other substantial improvements for the benefit of all who will soon take our places in Galt."
-From the remarks of John McFarland at the laying of the cornerstone, 1884.
Instrumental in the founding of Galt, John McFarland was given the honor of bestowing a name on the new town. He chose to name it after Galt, Ontario, a town in Canada he had lived in for a time. He also built many of the historic brick buildings still in use today in Old Town Galt. In 1883, a corporation was founded for the purpose of building a church, and John McFarland was elected the President of this corporation. Over the course of the next year, he faithfully guided the group's vision into a reality: Galt Congregational Church, later to become St. Luke's Episcopal Church.
