St. Luke’s Episcopal Church was founded in 1886 at the corner of West 78th Street and Lake Avenue, in what was then farmland and is now part of Cleveland’s Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood.
The church traces its roots to 1875, when St. John’s Episcopal Church (located at 2600 Church Avenue) established a mission known as the “West Cleveland Sunday School” in the old Town Hall on Detroit Avenue near West 83rd Street. In 1883, land was purchased at West 78th Street and Lake Avenue for $500, and the new chapel was named St. Luke’s. The cornerstone was laid on June 13, 1886, and the first service was held on September 12 of that year.
In 1890, Rev. Edward T. Mabley became St. Luke’s first Rector. Over the years, the church expanded to meet the needs of its growing congregation. In 1929, an addition was built onto the original structure, serving first as the Rector’s living quarters and later repurposed as a gym and kitchen.
Throughout its 134-year history, St. Luke’s has experienced both challenges and triumphs, evolving alongside the neighborhood it serves. While change has been a constant, the church’s core mission has remained unwavering: a deep commitment to the local community, children, and those in need. Through its work in feeding, clothing, and educating its neighbors, St. Luke’s continues to be a place of faith, service, and hope—values that will endure for generations to come.