St Lukes Episcopal Church

Did St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Long Beach always stand so tall? No. The 1933 earthquake nearly brought it to its knees, literally. The original church, built in 1917, crumbled under the force of the tremor. But from the rubble, a phoenix rose. St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, as we see it today, is a testament to the resilience of the community and the power of faith. The Reverend Perry G.M. Austin, the rector at the time, rallied support from across the nation. Donations poured in from prominent figures like Eleanor Roosevelt, J.P. Morgan, and even Felix duPont. They saw the importance of St. Luke’s not just as a place of worship, but as a beacon of hope in a devastated city. The cornerstone of the new church was laid on March 19, 1934. It was a symbolic moment, marking the rebirth of St. Luke’s. The church was rebuilt in the English Gothic Revival style, a nod to tradition amidst the modernizing world. St. Luke’s Episcopal Church has always been more than just bricks and mortar. It’s been a sanctuary for social activism. In the 1930s, the St. Luke’s Choristers, a renowned boys’ and girls’ choir, filled its halls with music. They even recorded albums and appeared in films, spreading the church’s name far and wide. The choir’s pure voices, carefully trained by William Ripley Dorr, offered solace and joy in a time of great uncertainty. More recently, St. Luke’s has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, holding an annual Mass on the bluffs overlooking the ocean during Long Beach Pride. In 2010, they organized a “Coming Out Celebration” to offer support and affirmation to the LGBTQ+ community. St. Luke’s also bravely provided sanctuary to an undocumented immigrant fighting to keep her family together. This act of defiance highlighted the church’s commitment to social justice and its role in the New Sanctuary Movement. Today, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church continues to serve its community. From meal programs for the unhoused to community gardens, the spirit of giving thrives within its walls. It’s a place where faith and action intertwine, where history whispers from the stones, and where hope shines brightly for the future.