By the grace of God, St. Luke Baptist Church was organized as a Baptist Mission on February 10, 1937, by the late Dr. Wilson M. Morris, Pastor of the St. John Baptist Church, NYC. The Reverend Adolphus Smith, William Anderson, Walter L. Harding, Haywood Thompson, and Dr. Morris with letters from the St. John Baptist Church and twelve members, united for the purpose of organizing a new mission. The name St. Luke was suggested by Brother Thurmond Harrison. Reverend Adolphus Smith was nominated and elected as pastor of the mission, which he led successfully for one year before resigning to assume the pastorate of the St. Paul Community Baptist Church, Brooklyn, New York.

The good people of the newly organized mission were without a pastor. They returned to St. John and requested that Rev. Walter L. Harding serve as the interim pastor. In February 1937, after serving for six weeks, a Church meeting was held and Rev. Harding was voted and became Pastor.

Through Pastor Harding’s efforts, St. Luke became a regular Missionary Baptist Church in May 1938, and was accepted into the Manhattan, Bronx and Westchester Association (now the United Missionary Baptist Association). Pastor Harding wisely led the small congregation to purchase its first Church home, a three story edifice at 35 W. 99th St. Shortly afterwards the Manhattan project made relocation imperative and Pastor Harding succeeded in motivating the members to purchase and renovate the Church premises at 103 Morningside Ave. NYC. On Sunday, November 15, 1953, the congregation marched into its new Church home.

Sadly, on July 31, 1955, fire destroyed most of the sanctuary and much of the treasured equipment of the Church, including the custom-made ramps, the grand piano and the organ. Many members, feeling the Church community would not survive, decided to move their membership elsewhere; however, the “faithful few continued to strive on.

In the voice of the congregation; “We of St. Luke Baptist Church give praise to God for preserving us as a Church Family under the inspired leadership of Pastor Harding for those 53 years. We know not when our Lord returns, and it matters little as we aspire to have Him find us growing spiritually; prayfully and gratefully working; eagerly and expectantly awaiting His blessed, ‘Well done...”

Without a doubt, Pastor Harding knew his departure was at hand and at his request, he departed this expression of life from his home church. Reverend Harding fought a good fight, he finished the race and he kept the faith. Monday night October 21, 1991, Walter L. Harding walked in Jerusalem, just like John.

St. Luke Baptist Church was without the leadership of a pastor for the next fourteen months. Thank God for the spiritual leadership of Deacon Gilbert Stone and the Diaconate Ministry, which played a vital role in stabilizing the ministry. After a long, extensive, and prayerful search for a new leader, on December 30,1992, the church family, voted Reverend Dr. J.G. McCann, Sr. as the third pastor to guide the sheep.

God has placed a trained, anointed shepherd here by the name of Rev. Dr. J. G. McCann. Pastor McCann has taken the mantel and we are truly blessed to have him as our Pastor.

As we go down the historical lane of St. Luke Baptist Church, we have seen great positive changes that have taken place.

Throughout the years we have overcome many hurdles. While we cherish the past, we embrace the future and move forward with anticipation and zeal to seizing the moment. St. Luke Baptist Church continues to be a Blessed Church. We are covered under the Blood of Jesus. We have existed for seventy (70) years and continue to grow. We line up under our Pastor’s tutelage.

During the last ten years, St. Luke Baptist Church has embraced an inclusive ministry of Lady Deacons; thereby creating a gender free ministry.

God has now blessed us with three Worship Services. On Ash Wednesday, we receive ashes, which signified our asking for forgiveness of sins. The Advent season is celebrated with the lighting of the four candles symbolizing Hope, Faith, Love, and Joy.

St. Luke Baptist Church is on the move for God and we are breaking down strongholds. We have shut-ins, prayer vigils and pray sessions which are being held before many events at 6:00 am and often times again at 6:00 pm.

St. Luke Baptist Church has ordained its first African-American female Reverend, The Reverend Debra M. Sanders. We are transforming and renewing minds. At one of the many baptism services there were 22 candidates baptized in one night, not to mention the standing room only in the 7:30 am, Saturday morning’s New Disciples Class, taught by our own Shepherd, Pastor J. G. McCann, Sr.

Get ready! Get ready! The “vision of the house” is on the way, you haven’t seen anything yet; the best is yet to come.

To God Be The Glory…