October 11, 2003 01:27 AM     

ST.. LUKE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, a Missionary East Texas Outpost

June 1953, a Petition for the Diocese of Texas to establish a Livingston, Texas Mission stated two reasons for this request. The proposed mission would provide a venue for the Anglican based Protestant—Episcopal service within this East Texas area be an opportunity for newly trained seminarians to develop their priestly skills. Fifty years later, St. Luke’s has been successful in attaining its two purposes.

 Diocese of Texas formally confirmed the establishment of our Missionary outpost by

Fall 1953. In our fifty years, twenty seminarians, Deacons, or Priests have served

Luke’s. In between their tenures, a host of supply priests from near and far churches ld average providing Holy Communion one Sunday a month.

 Rev. Savoy of St. Cyprians, Lufkin, though never assigned to St. Luke’s, was apparently instrumental in assisting the local persons to help establish St. Luke’s. mid-1952, he wrote to Bishop Quinn of his efforts with the “Livingston Project”. Chalice and Paten had been requested from the Daughters of the King of the Diocese Texas, which were provided. Father Savoy also reported to Bishop Quinn of his hopes assistance from the Kilgore priest were delayed due to illness. Father Savoy conducted first Holy Communion in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Shanahan on Feb. 6, 1953.

 Reverend Kenneth Yates, technically a Deacon until his June 1954 Ordination as a priest, arrived in Livingston on June 16, 1953 to serve as our Vicar until year’s end of 1955. During his tenure, services were originally conducted in various homes, then as interest grew, Sunday services were held at the American Legion Hall. This hall, no longer standing, is at the site of where W. Church Street and Willis intersect and is currently part of Livingston School District buildings. Land on W. Jones Street was attained, a portion a turn-of-the century Oleander Hotel donated and first services were held on June 25, 1954. This building was., torn down to make room for the new Oasis Building.

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