In 1965, the Atlanta Presbytery purchased a beautiful nine-acre site on Mt. Vernon Road at Manhasset Drive. Four years later, Dr. E. Moss Robertson was commissioned to give ministerial guidance in forming a new church. A program of visitation began in August 1969. The first worship service was conducted at the old Dunwoody Elementary School – which now houses the Dunwoody Library. This service took place on September 7, 1969. The church was officially organized and given the name of “St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church” in May 1970.
A full program of Worship and Christian Education was conducted in the old Dunwoody Elementary School for approximately four years as the planning and construction of the original Fellowship Hall/Sanctuary and educational building proceeded. The first worship service was held there on Mother’s Day, May 12, 1974.
In 1986, construction began on the present Sanctuary. The new sanctuary was completed with two beautiful stained glass windows, a Schantz pipe organ (consisting of three manuals, 37 ranks, and 2,148 pipes), and hand crafted needlepoint cushions representing the 12 Disciples for the communion railings. On February 7, 1987, the first worship service in the new Sanctuary was conducted with more than 900 people attending.
As the church grew, outreach and mission work become increasingly important. In 1992, Saint Luke’s sent 35 members to Mexico to build two houses for a needy families. The following year, Saint Luke’s built it’s first Habitat House. These first houses presented a starting point for mission work that continues to this day. Currently, Saint Luke’s outreach projects meet local, national, & international needs.
In March 1995, a new Christian Education building was completed and dedicated as Sheppard Hall. This was in honor of Rex Sheppard, who had served as Minister to Youth for more than 18 years. Saint Luke’s children & youth meet in Sheppard Hall for Sunday school classes, Wednesday Night FEAST programs, Youth Group, VBS, and much, much more.
In September of 1997, Saint Luke’s began a Parent’s Morning Out Program (PMO). PMO served children aged 12 months to 2 years old until it expanded to a full preschool program called Saint Luke’s Little Saints – serving children from 12 months through Kindergarten. Saint Luke’s Little Saints classes are held in Sheppard Hall.
A Columbarium was dedicated May 19, 2002. It has a fountain and contains 200 niches. It has two sets of Gates that resemble the Saint Luke’s Stained Glass window.
In September 2005, a major new addition and renovation was completed on the Saint Luke’s campus to provide an enhanced facility from which to conduct local ministry. The centerpiece of the addition is the Moss & Catherine Robertson Great Hall, a multi-use facility supporting indoor sports, a Fellowship Hall, an expanded kitchen, and a stage for the performing arts. A Chapel, a new music wing, a library, and several new adult, youth & children classrooms were added. The main lobby was completely renovated along with the administration area. As you enter the lobby, the verse from Micah 6:8 greets you: “the Lord requires of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.