Once upon a time, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church almost closed its doors. But today St. Luke’s Episcopal Church thrives. This cornerstone of Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood has served the community for over 130 years. It stands as a testament to resilience and commitment.
St. Luke’s is known for its vision. It aims to form a welcoming and diverse Beloved Community. Christian worship and service are at its heart. St. Luke’s Episcopal Church is a sanctuary for all. Rich and poor, housed and unhoused are welcome. Young and old find a place here. Those familiar with Episcopal tradition and those without church background find community here.
Over recent decades, Seattle became a major tech hub. High-cost housing increased at the expense of affordable homes. Rent and housing prices rose dramatically. Many long-term residents were displaced. This led to an increase in Seattle’s unhoused population.
St. Luke’s responded to these changes. They realized their buildings needed repairs. They considered how to use their land to better support their community. The congregation, neighbors, partners, and diocese came together. They identified core values, vision, and mission. This led to a redevelopment plan. The goal was to build affordable housing and a new, financially sustainable St. Luke’s.
St. Luke’s partnered with private developers. They planned a two-phase housing project with separate buildings. One building prioritizes affordable rental apartments for low-income families. The other includes mixed-income apartments. It also includes a new space for St. Luke’s. The space can be used for childcare, community dinners, and concerts. The development provides affordable units for tenants.
Trinity Church Wall Street Philanthropies supported St. Luke’s ambitious plan. They provided pre-development grants. This allowed St. Luke’s to retain an owner’s representative. It covered real estate advisory, legal, and architectural fees. Trinity’s Mission Real Estate Development team helped St. Luke’s overcome obstacles.
Following Trinity’s support, St. Luke’s received funding from the Seattle Office of Housing. St. Luke’s development partners completed the Early Design Guidance meeting. They received positive feedback. This resulted in approval for additional density for the project.
St. Luke’s ability to unite its congregation, residents, partners, and city officials is remarkable. They built Ballard’s first affordable family housing in over 20 years. The project reflects St. Luke’s core values. Beloved Community, Loving Service, and Sacred Space are central. St. Luke’s hopes to keep Ballard culturally rich and family-oriented. They want to continue to thrive as a central hub for the Ballard community for years to come.
In addition to housing, St. Luke’s offers other community services. The Edible Hope meal program serves about 2,000 meals per month. The St. Luke’s Urban Garden, or SLUG, is a neighborhood garden. It also provides shelter for the homeless.
St. Luke’s commitment extends to the environment. They joined the RainWise Program. Their installation includes cisterns and a rain garden. This manages rainwater runoff. The project keeps thousands of gallons of stormwater out of the sewer system each year. It protects Lake Union and the Ship Canal.
The RainWise project started in the St. Luke’s Urban Garden. The garden has plots for neighbors to grow vegetables. It also has a gathering space and a Little Free Library. The rain garden beautifies the landscape. It also helps with storm water management.
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church uses its RainWise installation to promote green infrastructure. They encourage other congregations to learn more about RainWise. St. Luke’s stands as a beacon of hope and service in Ballard. It exemplifies how a church can adapt and thrive.