1960 - 1980

In January 1960, Bishop John Heistand asked the Rev. Paul Griffith to preach at St. Luke's as a substitute for the Rev. Victor Loope, who had become too ill to continue serving the congregation. Later that day, after a special vestry¹ meeting, Fr. Griffith accepted the offer to become rector². That same year, St. Luke's Prayer Group began, and continues uninterrupted to this day.

From 1960 to 1975, under Fr. Griffith's leadership, St. Luke's experienced its greatest growth in membership, resulting in the need for extensive renovations to the physical structure. Between 1961 and 1970, the undercroft was renovated and the nave's floor plan was rotated 180 degrees. This renovation included new pews, a new floor, the addition of a balcony, a new sacristy, and the conversion of the old sacristy into a side chapel.  Fr. Griffith's Rector's Message, presented at the 1970 Annual Meeting, described a vibrant and enthusiastic congregation at worship in the newly renovated church.

In 1972, a fire destroyed the "old rectory," which had been renovated into classrooms for Christian Education activities. This necessitated the construction of a new educational and social hall, which was dedicated in May 1974. That same month, a group of creative, hardworking couples began the planning for an eleven year project — The Williamsburg Dinners — which ran a total of 87 fundraisers and earned more than $85,000. This greatly relieved the indebtedness of the congregation while delivering what many considered "the social event of the West Shore.”

By March 1975, attendance had increased to a point where three Sunday services were required. Fr. Griffiths retired at the end of that year. The church purchased a home on South York Street as a rectory, and, in February, 1976, the Rev. Ned Heeter began his time at St. Luke's. In 1977, the Outreach Committee formed and still remains active.

1. A Vestry is the governing board of an Episcopal congregation.

2. A Rector is the chief pastor of an Episcopal congregation.