St. Luke’s, Cleveland was established as St. Alban’s Mission by the Rt. Rev. Charles T. Quintard, the second bishop of Tennessee in 1867. It was a small but active mission until the accidental death of seven-year-old Nina Craigmiles became the catalyst for new building and growth.

Nina’s parents gave the present building as a memorial to Nina. Her father, John Craigmiles, was baptized at Nina’s funeral and joined his wife as active members of the church. The mission became St. Luke’s Parish in 1874.

The Rev. Craig Morgan is the twenty-third rector/vicar to serve St. Luke’s. The Rev. Rob Gieselmann is his assistant. According to Morgan, St. Luke’s has been a nurturing place for many of the ministries now available in Cleveland. Both Nancy’s House, a resource and ministry to people with HIV/AIDS, and the Cleveland Food Bank had their beginnings within the walls of St. Luke. The programs have since grown and moved out on their own.

Recently, the congregation at St. Luke’s held a party for Chattanooga Cares, a ministry to severely handicapped children.

The congregation ministers to the community in low-key fashion, seeking no praise for the help they give.

Christian education is more than Sunday morning, with special programs offered during the entire year. There are two classes of Education for Ministry based at St. Luke’s and an active Ultreya.

During Advent, St. Luke’s hosts a concert and light lunch known as Bach Lunch, as a gift to the community.

The Caring and Sharing Teams provide food and other help to members of the community when there is an illness, birth, death or other need. The Needy Families program supplies food and gifts at Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving.

Growing and worshipping, the church is now discussing improvements to the Parish House.