St. Lukes stands as an excellent example of a rural antebellum, Classical-style church; few such churches are preserved and fewer still have survived in such an outstanding state of preservation. Alteration has been minimal, and has been exceptionally in keeping with the original style. Built without outside assistance by a member of the congregation, the church has housed a small membership whose historic prominence in Powhatan County has far outweighed its comparative numbers. Many decendants of original families remain active in parish affairs.
Although the construction of St. Luke’s occurred sometime between July 1843 and December 1844, the congregation was in existence as early as March 1842. The construction of the building was a labor of love on the part of William Henry Harrison, an immigrant from England, and of his wife Debora Harrison. Harrison served in the British army at the Battle of Waterloo, and left England in the 1820s. In 1827, he purchased part of the Middlesex Tract from J.P.B. Harris of “Millwood”. In July 1843, Harrison and his wife deeded 1.5 acres of land for the site of a new church. Harrison took the leading role in all phases of the operation: supervising the making of the bricks from clay, dug and baked on the site. Harrison also directed all of the actual labor. The church was finished and dedicated in 1844. The Right Reverend John Johns, Assistant Bishop, consecrated St. Luke’s on April 10, 1845.
In 1848, the silver communion service still used by the congregation today was presented by the Millwood Sewing Circle, which became the present day Women of the Church (ECW). In May 1853, the church was placed within Powhatan Parish. Its first rector, Dr. Andrew Fisher (1842-58) was assigned responsibility for St. James’ and Southam Parishes as well.
The second rector was Dr. Lewis Walke (1858-86). During this time, church members were deeply involved in the Civil War. The Powhatan Cavalry Troop, organized by Phillp St. George Cocke, was camped in St. Lukes’ churchyard in 1861 before being called to Richmond by General Robert E. Lee. John F. Law, who was registrar for St. Luke’s vestry, was elected first lieutenant of the troop, and took command as captain when Cocke was commissioned as a brigadier general. Among those who worshipped at St. Luke’s, members of the Michaux, Heth, Sublett, Harrison, Selden, Kennon, Hobson, and Finney families served with the Confederate forces. The most notable was Lieutenant General Henry Heth, one of Lee’s most respected subordinates, who particularly distinguished himself during the first day at Gettysburg. Lee’s brother, Charles Carter Lee, who owned property at Fine Creek, was also very active in the St. Luke’s congregation.
Dr. Martin Johnson (1886-1915) was the third rector. During his tenure, the parish was reconstituted into the Diocese of Southern Virginia (1892). The building was enlarged to its present form through addition of a recessed chancel in 1890 and choir and vestry rooms in 1915.
Although the construction of St. Luke’s occurred sometime between July 1843 and December 1844, the congregation was in existence as early as March 1842. The construction of the building was a labor of love on the part of William Henry Harrison, an immigrant from England, and of his wife Debora Harrison. Harrison served in the British army at the Battle of Waterloo, and left England in the 1820s. In 1827, he purchased part of the Middlesex Tract from J.P.B. Harris of “Millwood”. In July 1843, Harrison and his wife deeded 1.5 acres of land for the site of a new church. Harrison took the leading role in all phases of the operation: supervising the making of the bricks from clay, dug and baked on the site. Harrison also directed all of the actual labor. The church was finished and dedicated in 1844. The Right Reverend John Johns, Assistant Bishop, consecrated St. Luke’s on April 10, 1845.
In 1848, the silver communion service still used by the congregation today was presented by the Millwood Sewing Circle, which became the present day Women of the Church (ECW). In May 1853, the church was placed within Powhatan Parish. Its first rector, Dr. Andrew Fisher (1842-58) was assigned responsibility for St. James’ and Southam Parishes as well.
The second rector was Dr. Lewis Walke (1858-86). During this time, church members were deeply involved in the Civil War. The Powhatan Cavalry Troop, organized by Phillp St. George Cocke, was camped in St. Lukes’ churchyard in 1861 before being called to Richmond by General Robert E. Lee. John F. Law, who was registrar for St. Luke’s vestry, was elected first lieutenant of the troop, and took command as captain when Cocke was commissioned as a brigadier general. Among those who worshipped at St. Luke’s, members of the Michaux, Heth, Sublett, Harrison, Selden, Kennon, Hobson, and Finney families served with the Confederate forces. The most notable was Lieutenant General Henry Heth, one of Lee’s most respected subordinates, who particularly distinguished himself during the first day at Gettysburg. Lee’s brother, Charles Carter Lee, who owned property at Fine Creek, was also very active in the St. Luke’s congregation.
Dr. Martin Johnson (1886-1915) was the third rector. During his tenure, the parish was reconstituted into the Diocese of Southern Virginia (1892). The building was enlarged to its present form through addition of a recessed chancel in 1890 and choir and vestry rooms in 1915.