St. Luke's is a traditional Anglo-Catholic parish in the Diocese of Washington. With the vast majority of Anglicans around the world, we affirm the Church's teaching as witnessed to in the Creeds, warranted by Scripture and assented to by reason.
St. Luke’s grew out of a rich 17th century Church of England tradition within the Province of Maryland. Though initially known by several names within various parish structures, the original St. Luke’s was named by Maryland Diocesan Bishop Whittingham in 1856.
In 1895, St. Luke’s became a parish under the newly established Diocese of Washington. After closing and re-opening several times within its first 80 years, St. Luke’s struggled to survive from the late 1940’s to early 1950’s. With a deteriorating church structure and little diocesan support, St. Luke’s worked from within to raise the necessary fund to erect a new church building. Under the leadership of Fr. Arnold the church building was completed in 1956 at it present location at 53rd Street and Annapolis Road.
Fr. Arnold’s enduring legacy was to return St. Luke’s to traditional Anglo-Catholic masses despite Episcopal concessions to Protestantism.
Fr. Arnold retired in 1972. Fr. August Peters succeeded Fr. Arnold and continued to teach and promote the catholic faith until answering a call to St. Paul’s, K Street, Washington, DC in 1985. In 1986, Fr. Arthur Woolley became the rector of St. Luke’s. Not only a strong supporter of the Faith as well as a teacher, and priest, he was the head of Bladensburg's
ST. LUKE'S ANGLICAN PARISH BLADENSBURG, MD
About Us
Pastoral/Lay Council. Fr. Woolley defended St. Luke’s and its Anglo-Catholic tradition during a particularly difficult period in the history of the Diocese of Washington. Fr. Woolley retired in 1996 and was made Rector Emeritus.
In 1996, Fr. Edward Raffetto accepted the call as rector of St. Luke’s. During his tenure he continued to provide spiritual leadership for the parish and its orthodox traditions and practices. Fr. Raffetto retired in 1999. Fr. Michael Heidt was called in 2000. While at St. Luke’s, he was a tireless defender of the catholic faith in the Anglican tradition through his preaching and involvement in orthodox activities such as the Festival of Faith teaching series and The Christian Challenge magazine.
It was also in 2000 that Fr. Heidt invited Fr. Daniel Robles to join St. Luke’s. The first Spanish language mass took place in June 2000, with 30 people in attendance.
Now led by Fr. Vidal Rivas, the ministry has grown to approximately150 every Sunday. In October of 2008, this ministry relocated to St. Matthew’s Church, Hyattsville, a larger facility suitable to accommodate this growing ministry.
In early 2006, Fr. Mark Lewis accepted the vestry’s call and began his ministry here at St. Luke’s. Fr. Lewis has brought a multitude of positive changes to the spiritual life of this parish. There have also been improvements to the physical
structure, including the construction of a lovely chapel dedicated to St. Athanasius, and a beautiful re-redos at the high altar. We are blessed to have a dedicated and faithful shepherd in Fr. Lewis.
Continuing with the tradition begun by Fr. Heidt, St. Luke’s hosts a Festival of Faith each year. An ever popular event, the Festival attracts many orthodox members of the Church. Past year’s keynote speakers were the former Archbishop of the West Indies, The Most Reverend Drexel Washington Gomez and The Right Reverend Keith L. Ackerman, former Bishop of Quincy, Illinois.
St. Luke’s is a vibrant church that offers many opportunities for Christian Education. Sunday School for both children and adults is held between the 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. masses and is well attended, as is the Thursday evening Bible Study and the Wednesday evening Lectures.
St. Luke’s has grown through its history into the defender of the catholic faith in the Diocese of Washington. The congregation, mirroring the community in which it was founded, comprises parishioners from many different countries and ethnic backgrounds, all devoted to worshiping God and seeking Biblical Truth through a great reverence for Anglo-Catholic traditions. We are a faithful group of orthodox Anglicans who affirm the Bible as the inspired Word of God. Our liturgy is traditional, based on the Anglican Service Book. We believe the Eucharist to be the central act of worship, and of our Christian lives. We value our traditional services, aided by a superlative music program.
All are welcome to worship with us.
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