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"St. Luke's is a comforting and accepting community open to God's love, rooted in tradition, on a journey of service to others."
The first Episcopal Church in Idaho Falls, St. John’s, was established in 1895 when the membership of the worshipping community had grown to thirty families. Bishop Ethelbert Talbot held the dedication service, and placed Rev. John Dawson as missionary in charge. The building was a red brick chapel located at the corner of Park Avenue and A Street. All of the pews were handsomely carved, including the choir pews. The church was small with places for three gothic windows that would let the light shine down on the altar. When the colored glass windows finally arrived in 1896, the event was written about in the local paper. The sanctuary was often used by the Swedish Lutheran Church who held a Confirmation service in it in 1898. Soon after their own church was completed.
In March of 1909 this site was sold and the building was razed. The building materials and furnishings were removed to Placer Avenue. The second Episcopal Church was dedicated at this location on September 12, 1909. The new location had room for a rectory which was also build at this time.
The congregation remained a mission under numerous vicars until January 1953 when it became a self-supporting parish with Rev. David Blackhalter as the first rector.
The second church was torn down and the third St. John’s Episcopal Church was dedicated by Bishop Norman Foote on December 10, 1964. Windows from the two previous buildings were placed in the new sanctuary, and the original, carved pews were placed in a special upstairs chapel.
A second Episcopal Church was established in Idaho Falls in 1982. This congregation, St. Mark’s, and the congregation of St. John’s merged in 2003. Assuming a new name for this new congregation, St. Luke’s was established. The building which housed St. Mark’s was sold and a new Community Outreach Center was established with the funds. It houses the church’s Soup Kitchen and five other local outreach ministries.
The sanctuary of St. Luke’s has remained the same since being built in 1964. Additional office space and a parish hall have been added to the back of the building.
Worship times
This service has no music.
This is a musical service. Your worship might include bell choir, contemporary choir or traditional choir. Children stay for the whole service. We have a play ground for them.
Volunteer opportunities
If you would like to volunteer, please contact Lonnie in the office.
Ministries
FAITH & HARMONY
Faith & Harmony is a musical group that leads the congregation in song once a month -- usually on the 3rd Sunday. The music is generally more contemporary in nature and they hope to offer a "campfire gospel" in 2018. We are always happy to welcome new voices and instruments to our fold! If you are interested, contact Angie Lee at 521.6964.
MISSION HAITI
We volunteer and hold Vacation Bible School classes for children. We donated our fundraising money to a private school that had fallen on hard times. The children at this school arrived without shoes and there was no money to provide lunch.
IF Soup Kitchen
Currently serving “to go” meals while social distancing once a month.
270 N. Placer Avenue
Idaho Falls, ID 83402-4021
United States
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