High above us rises the sanctuary of St. Luke’s and St. Margaret’s Church. This former parish stands as a testament to community shifts. It also reflects evolving religious practices in Boston’s Allston neighborhood.
St. Luke’s and St. Margaret’s Church began as two separate entities. St. Margaret’s was established in 1862 in Brighton Center. Its founders were linked to the Church of the Advent. St. Margaret’s embraced Anglo-Catholic traditions. St. Luke’s emerged in 1892 in Allston. Allston was a rapidly growing area then. Bishop Phillips Brooks, famed preacher, founded it.
An initial church building arose in 1895. It stood at Brighton Avenue and St. Luke’s Road corner. Later a rectory was added. A larger church was built in 1915. The old sanctuary became a parish hall. St. Luke’s practiced low church worship.
In the mid-20th century, both churches faced declining attendance. Members moved away from Boston. In 1967, St. Luke’s and St. Margaret’s Church merged. They chose the St. Luke’s location. The St. Margaret’s buildings were sold. The combined parish faced challenges. But it experienced resurgence in the 1980s and 1990s. This happened under Mary Glasspool’s leadership. She later became the first open lesbian bishop in the Anglican Communion.
Despite this revival, membership declined again. In 2010, the diocese closed the mission. The property was retained. It became a base for the Micah Project. This project is a residential internship for young adults. The closing service occurred on Pentecost, May 23, 2010. Several pastors and Bishop Glasspool attended.
The buildings at 5-7 St. Luke’s Road include a sanctuary. There is also a parish hall and rectory. The parish hall and rectory exhibit Tudorbethan style. The sanctuary resembles an English country church. But it is made of brick. Francis R. Allen designed the original chapel and rectory in 1895. Berry and Davidson designed the larger sanctuary in 1913. Davidson belonged to the congregation. The assemblage was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.
The church boasts beautiful stained-glass windows. The Last Supper window is in English style. It was created by George W. Spence’s studio. It is above the altar reredos. A clerestory series depicts Christ’s life. Charles J. Connick studio started it. The Whittemore studio completed it. Aisle series depict Apostles and Prophets. The Connick studio began those too. Whittemore finished them. The Tiffany studio created a large east wall window. It depicts St. John on Patmos. It was the parish’s first stained-glass window. Originally it was in the chapel’s south wall. It was restored in the 1990s.
St. Luke’s and St. Margaret’s Church reflects architectural styles and community history. It also embodies faith’s evolution. Though no longer an active parish, its story remains. Its buildings stand. They tell a tale of change and resilience.