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St. Luke's Episcopal Church (Katonah, New York) facts for kids

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St. Luke's Episcopal Church
A cream-colored building with brown vertical beams on its front wall and a pointed roof with a cross on top. In the rear is a narrow green tower
East elevation, 2005
Religion
Affiliation Episcopal Church in the United States of America
Leadership The Rev. Dr. Kris Lewis-Theerman
Year consecrated 1923
Location
Location Katonah, NY, USA
Architecture
Architect(s) Hobart Upjohn
Architectural style Tudor Revival
Groundbreaking 1921
Completed 1923
Specifications
Direction of façade east
Materials Stone, stucco, wood
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Added to NRHP January 4, 2001
NRHP Reference no. 00001612
Website
St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Katonah, New York

St. Luke's Episcopal Church is a special old church in Katonah, New York. It was built in the early 1920s. The church looks like buildings from the Tudor Revival style. This style was popular in England a long time ago.

A famous architect named Hobart Upjohn designed the church. His family was known for designing many churches. In 2001, St. Luke's Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is an important historical building in the United States.

What the Church Looks Like

The church stands on a small piece of land in Katonah. It is near the village's main area. Next to the church is another building called the parish house. This building is not part of the historic listing.

Outside the Church

Big trees shade the church on its sides. A large spruce tree nearby becomes Katonah's community Christmas tree every year. The church building has one story. It sits on a strong stone base.

The front of the church has a small covered entrance called a portico. Above this, the walls are covered in painted stucco. You can see wooden beams on the outside, which is a key part of the Tudor Revival look. The roof is very steep and covered with slate shingles. A copper steeple (a tall, pointed tower) rises from the middle of the roof.

Above the main entrance, there is a large window with three parts. It has beautiful stained glass and fancy designs. Another stained glass window is in the church's main room.

Inside the Church

Inside, you can see the wooden arches that go up to the ceiling. The walls are white plaster. There is a dark wooden border along the bottom of the walls. Simple wooden pews (church benches) are set up in rows. There are aisles in the middle and on the sides.

Upstairs, there is a storage area. In the basement, you can find the boiler and other equipment.

Church History

Early Beginnings

People who followed the Episcopal faith in Katonah first gathered in 1855. They were called St. Mark's. Later, this group stopped meeting in 1887.

In 1888, a man named John Jay II left $500 in his will. He wanted this money to help start a new Episcopal church. John Jay II was the grandson of the first Chief Justice of the United States.

A New Location

In 1895, the village of Katonah had to move. This was because a new reservoir was being built. This move made it hard to start the church.

The church group finally started again in 1916. They met in a movie theater and then in a warehouse. Five years later, they asked a church in Mount Kisco to help them. They also raised money to buy land and hire an architect.

Building the Church

Hobart Upjohn designed the new church. He was known for his work, just like his father and grandfather. St. Luke's Church is a great example of the Tudor Revival style. It has exposed wooden beams inside and out.

The first stone for the church was placed in October 1921. About two years later, the first church services were held. The church was officially opened just before Christmas in 1923.

Growing as a Church

St. Luke's Church was cared for by the Mount Kisco church until 1944. Then, it became its own mission of the Episcopal Diocese of New York. In 1958, the church became self-supporting. This means it could pay for itself.

The next year, in 1959, the church bought its current parish house. The old parish house was torn down in 1961. The church building has stayed the same since then.

St. Luke's Church Today

The church holds regular Sunday services. They also celebrate major holy days. They offer Christian education for children and adults. A well-known choir leader, Harold Rosenbaum, leads the church choir.

Every year on Mother's Day weekend, the church has a plant sale. They use the money they raise to help others in the community.

See also

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