History
The stained glass windows at SL2 are not only beautiful, they carry a unique history. See and read about each panel and find out what each means, why they are important to Christians, and who helped SL2 acquire these lovely treasures.
You can access the entire publication here by clicking: St Lukes Art Window Catalog
The information below is from "The History of St. Luke's", compiled by Lesla E. Scott (1992) and revised and updated by Patrick G. Lawless (2016)
The first Anglican Prayer Book services held in what is now Vancouver, WA, were conducted at Fort Vancouver by Chief Factor John McLoughlin, Chief Trader James Douglas, and by lay readers in 1825.
The Reverend Herbert Beaver, the Anglican Communion’s first clergyman in the Pacific Northwest, served as Chaplain to the Hudson’s Bay Company at Fort Vancouver from 1836-1838.
The first Protestant Episcopal clergyman in the territory, the Reverend St. Michael Fackler, began a brief period of duty as Post Chaplain of Vancouver Barracks on May 28, 1850.
Reverend John D. McCarty, D.D. served as Post Chaplain of the Fourth United States Infantry stationed at Fort Vancouver beginning January, 1853. By 1857, worship in Vancouver’s first Episcopal Church was conducted by Dr. McCarty in a schoolhouse located on the south side of East Fifth and West Reserve Streets. St. Luke’s first church was consecrated by the Right Rev. Thomas Fielding Scott, First Episcopal Bishop of the Washington and Oregon Territories, on Whitsunday, May 27, 1860. The parish was incorporated in 1868 and a parish day school was opened the following year.
In 1879, St. Luke’s became the first self-supporting Episcopal Parish in the Washington and Oregon Territories. The first convocation of the Missionary District of Washington was held at St. Luke’s on August 24,1881.
At its conclusion, the first Episcopal Ordination took place when E. F. Miles, M.D., was made a Deacon by the Right Reverend John Adams Paddock, on August 28, 1881.
In 1931, fire destroyed the second St.Luke’s Church building, which was located at Eighth and “C” Streets.
The third St. Luke’s church building was erected at 426 East Fourth Plain Blvd. By 1942 a parish house had been completed. In 1956 an educational wing was added. This drawing was made is 1956.
The fourth church to bear the name of the Beloved Physician Saint Luke was dedicated in Vancouver by the Right Reverend Stephen F. Baynes, Jr., on Advent Sunday, 1959. The Sanctuary changed from North-South, to East-West, with the Altar in the East, and the entrance in the West.
The original cornerstone from the 1871 is proudly displayed in the Narthex. The Narthex was expanded to the westside in 2014.
Musical Assets
The church has an historic tracker-action 1890 W.K. Adams pipe organ with 2 manuals, 16 stops, and a 27-note flat, non-radiating pedalboard. It was built in Rhode Island, installed in 1985 in the rear balcony and maintained by the Richard Bond Pipe Organ Company. More detail can be found on the Oregon Historical Society website.
A beautiful well-maintained seven-foot Steinway B grand piano, gifted in 2015 by parishioners Janet and Darrell Willliams.
A set of 49 note Malmark Choir Chimes.
A 3-octave set of Petit & Fritsen handbells. These Dutch-style bells have a deep “tower bell” sound, rich in overtones and perfect for liturgical use.
A one-manual, two-stop harpsicord built from a Zukerman kit by parishioner Bill Rawson in 1982.
A small Sohmer grand piano in the Parish Hall and a reed organ from a much earlier time.
An upright piano in a dedicated music room with an extensive choral library. To see a printable pdf with complete information: Musical Assets