Where we came from

Our history begins almost ninety years ago. The expansion of the automobile industry brought a growing tide of people to the village of Ferndale seeking homes "in the country." In March of 1920 the Martin, Shader and McIntyre families initiated the effort for diocesan approval to form a mission. And thus began services with Archdeacon Charles Ramsay holding services in a private home. Soon services were moved to a the basement of the former Board of Education building on Nine Mile Road, just east of Woodward. Service was held by lay readers, with assistance by the Rector of St. John's, Royal Oak. The mission was placed under the supervision of St. Joseph's Church in Detroit, and the Men's Club of that parish. The Men's Club provided the materials for the people of St. Luke's to build their own Church building. In May, 1923, what is now Washington Hall, was completed, and services began there under the first Priest-in-Charge, the Rev. William M. Washington. By January 1924 the Diocesan convention had accepted St. Luke's as an Organized Mission and the formal relationship with St. Joseph's came to an end.

Historic Photo Album

Our Rectors

The Rev. Clare Oatney
(Jan 22, 2008 -

 

The Rev. James Maxwell
(1979 - 2004)

 

The Rev. Frank Tomsett (Asst. Rector)
(Dec 1, 1979 - Mar 26, 1993)

 

The Rev. John French
(Oct 1, 1951 - Mar 25, 1979)

 

The Rev. Charles Edinger
(Nov 1, 1937 - Aug 1, 1951)

 

The Rev. George Merifield
(Sep 1, 1930 - Sep 1, 1937)

 

The Rev. Gilbert Appelhof
(Apr 1, 1927 - July 31, 1930)

 

The Rev. Phillip Soderstrom
(Oct 11, 1925 - Mar 30, 1927)
 

 

The Rev. William Washington, PhD
(Dec 16, 1923 - Sep 1, 1925)

 

 

Deacon

The Rev. Deacon Dave Carlson
(1997- Jan 27, 2007)