The History of St. Luke Presbyterian Church

In the spring of 1961, the Presbytery of the Southwest requested that five or more families from Covenant Presbyterian Church, Amarillo form a nucleus of a new church to be called “St. Luke Presbyterian Church.”  The five families originally began holding services in their homes, purposefully seeking to organize a new Presbyterian congregation.

 The five families from Covenant grew to a respectable roll, and the Presbytery called Reverend Harry B. Wood Jr. the summer of 1961.  Having outgrown their “home” meetings, the new church group acquired a lease agreement with the Seventh Day Adventist Church on Bell St.  They began regular worship services there on Sunday, July 23, 1961.  On March 4, 1962, the congregation was formally organized and officially named St. Luke Presbyterian Church of Amarillo.  The Reverend Harry Wood was the first pastor of St. Luke.  The first session comprised of Robert Curl, Melvin Moore, Jack Thompkins, Wallace Chapman, Robert Northingham, Carter Karr, and Maenard Hamilton.

On December 6, 1964, groundbreaking ceremonies were held to signify the beginning of construction of the new churh building on the four acres of land purchased by the Presbytery of the Southwest at the intersection of Bell St. and Brinkman.  November 7, 1965 marked the day of ceremonies for the completed building.

 In June, 1969, the congregation of John Knox Church united in worship with the congregation of St. Luke to form the St. Luke Presbyterian Church.  The pastors that have served St. Luke following Harry Wood are the Reverend David Thomas, Reverend Don G. Shepherd, Reverend Larry Black, Reverend Dr. Bob Carson, Reverend Dr. Frank Yates, Reverend Dr. J. Pat Kennedy, and to date, Reverend Jim Wallace.

St. Luke has prospered through many trials and tribulations and continues to grow in faith and strength.  The congregation of St. Luke can look forward to an exciting and prolific ministry ahead, and we invite all to grow with us.