 December 25, 1966
- Fathers Snyder, Goodill and Ehrman celebrate mass for the first time in the new church.
Saint Luke Parish was canonically established by Archbishop John M. Gannon on September 4, 1954.
In the early 1950's a rapidly growing southwest Erie caused a re-evaluation and study of
parish structures. The results of the studies led to a formation of a number of suburban
parishes in Erie between 1954 and 1958. The parishes, beginning with the formation of St.
Luke's in 1954, Our Lady of Peace and St. Jude's in 1956, and Our Lady of Mount
Carmel in 1960, would border the south and west sides of the city.
In the beginning, Father Goodill
spent the first months living at Mercyhurst College, making preparations to undertake the
parish's first project -- to raise a school. Groundbreaking took place on October 9, 1954,
less than five weeks after the parish was officially established. The construction of the
new school took one year. In the meantime the first baptism was celebrated on July 24,
1954. Paul Hiegel was baptized at Christ the King Chapel, Mercyhurst College. Also the
first person to be buried from the parish, Eugene Carlson, was buried before the new
facility opened.
Like may large families, the Family
of St. Luke Parish has been very active throughout its forty-five years. In fact it has
been downright hectic. The pace, however, is a sign of God's generosity and the
parishioners' desire to take advantage of those same blessings, using them for the benefit
of God's people. Even today the number and variety of organizations within the parish
indicates how richly blessed we are.
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PARISH FACTS
June 4, 1954 - Father Robert Goodill named professor of religion at
Mercyhurst College with instructions from Archbishop Gannon that he begin formulation of a
new parish for the area.
July 25, 1954 -
First Baptism. Paul Alan Hiegel, son of Paul and Ruth McKinney Hiegel is baptized in
Christ the King Chapel, Mercyhurst College.
September 4, 1954
- St. Luke Parish canonically established by Archbishop John Mark Gannon.
September 26, 1954
- Father Goodill celebrates the first Mass of the new parish at Christ the King Chapel of
Mercyhurst College.
October 9, 1954 -
Groundbreaking takes place for St. Luke's School
December 31, 1955 -
Mass is celebrated in the school gym for the first time.
May 20, 1956 -
St. Luke School is dedicated with Archbishop John Mark Gannon presiding.
June, 1965 -
Construction of St. Luke Church begins
October 23, 1966
- Bishop Watson dedicates the new church, rectory and office complex.
December 25, 1966
- Fathers Snyder, Goodill and Ehrman celebrate mass for the first time in the new church.
ST. LUKE STATISTICS
Total attendance at first four 1954 Sunday
Masses - 642
Total collection for the first day -
$692
Initial enrollment in St. Luke School -
429 students enrolled in eleven rooms, grades one through eight.
Cost of St. Luke Church inclusive of stained
glass windows and pews - $1,200,000.00
Seating capacity of St. Luke Church -
800 persons
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