Easter Egg Hunt 10 am on the Grounds of Historic St. Luke's Church

Easter has been celebrated at St. Luke's for nearly four centuries. We would like to continue that tradition! Bring the children and grandchildren and enjoy an old fashioned Easter Egg Hunt on the grounds of America's oldest English church. Of course, parents and grandparents are welcome as well!

English Boxwoods have been growing for hundreds of years on the ancient grounds of the “Old Brick” Church. Offered only once a year in the spring, the proceeds go toward the preservation of Historic St. Luke’s Church.

Rooted in the past, the boxwood is considered “man’s oldest garden ornament.” Not only are they decorative, their magnificent foliage creates a sanctuary for resident rabbits, squirrels, and a menagerie of birds throughout St. Luke’s uniquely serene graveyard. St. Luke's English boxwoods were cultivated by, The English Connection, of Surry Virginia.

The boxwoods will be available April 14 - 28, 2012, when our doors open at 9:30am. Also available is the newly published "Historic Virginia Gardens: Preservation Work of The Garden Club of Virginia, 1975-2006" of which Historic St. Luke’s is a featured restoration project.

CANCELLED

Christ Episcopal Church of Smithfield Virginia will hold it's 11am service at Historic St. Luke's Church. Christ Church is the daughter church of St. Luke’s. Traditionally, when the congregation moved from St. Luke’s in 1832, they continued to use St. Luke’s as a summer chapel and later a community worship location. This service is open to the public.

HERITAGE DAY AT ST. LUKE’S
Saturday, June 16, 2012 from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Main Street Baptist Gospel Choir Concert
Sunday, June 17, 2012 – 3:00 PM

Celebrate our community heritage with two days of events at Historic St. Luke’s Church. Heritage Day - June 16 - will feature history told through stories, writings, quilts, colonial court, land ownership, music, food, and our flora and fauna environment. Come tour “Old Brick” and hear its history. Tell your family stories (and your remembrances of St. Luke’s) and have them recorded. Learn about Colonial, African American and Native American cultures. Hear stories about the Quaker settlers which developed from St. Luke’s Church, as well as the congregations that began elsewhere in our county. Take a wagon ride on the Old Colonial Trail. Watch the Plein Air painters on the grounds. Learn to trace your genealogy. Come for a fun day with activities for the whole family.

Sunday, June 17 at 3:00 pm the Main Street Baptist Gospel Choir will perform a concert of spirituals and Gospel music. Come early to ensure a seat.

For information and to reserve a box lunch for Saturday call: (757) 357-3367 or stlukes@visi.net.

Join us for a joyful day full of music. The Main Street Baptist Church Adult Choir will sing at Historic St. Luke's Church on June 17th at 3pm.

The 30 voice group was reorganized in 2009 and is composed of members selected from the four adult groups in the church's music ministry. They sing for all of the major festival days during the church year and for other services at churches in the community. The choir was recently invited to perform for the 41rst Annual Session of the American Baptist Churches in the South in Atlanta, GA.

ANNUAL BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS

Come and celebrate with us the Annual Blessing of the Animals which will be held at Historic St. Luke’s Church on Sunday, October 14, 2012 to honor the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, the Patron Saint of Animals. The Rev. Gary Barker will bless each pet brought to the church during this traditional ceremony acknowledging all living creatures as part of creation. (757) 357-3367

 We have a book written about our event, "Lili of St. Luke's" which is for sale in our gift shop!
Take a look at pictures from our past Blessing of the Animals!

*NEW - 2011 BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS PICTURES!

2010 Blessing of the Animals
2009 Blessing of the Animals
2008 Blessing of the Animals
2007 Blessing of the Animals

CHRISTMAS AT HISTORIC ST. LUKE'S

“The Virginia Brass Quintet”

 Sunday, December 16 at 3:00 pm “The Virginia Brass Quintet” will present a Christmas Concert that the entire family will enjoy. The program will consist of seasonal classics played by this newly organized quintet under the direction of Carl Stanley and a special Christmas reading by Anita Wyrick. The Quintet will also accompany the audience during the singing of many Christmas Carols and Holiday songs.

Admission: Adults $10 Students $5.
Reception to follow in the gift shop.
Tickets and Information: 757-357-3367

Sponsored by The Howard W. and Katherine L. Gwaltney Foundation

Christmas Eve Services at Historic St. Luke's Church

HOPE Presbyterian Church with Rev. George Boomer will hold Community Services on Christmas Eve at Historic St. Luke's Church. A Children's and Family service will be held at 4pm followed by a Christmas Eve Service at 8:30pm. Following tradition neglected for many years, a Christmas Eve Service at Historic St. Luke's is a glorious gift not only to St. Luke's but the entire community.

A Program of “Readings and Music”

Hosted at Historic St. Luke’s Church, Sunday, Jan. 6 at 3:00 pm

Local readers, writers and musicians will be featured in a program of readings and music to end the Christmas season and to celebrate Epiphany. This event, originally presented by Christ Episcopal Church, will move to Historic St. Luke’s and include outstanding talent from throughout our community and the presentation of both religious and secular works.

For information call: 757-675-5777