History of St. Luke's Archives - St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Ypsilanti, MI

Last Updated: August 21, 2023 by stlukesadmin

Works of Art

More recent additions include the 1987 ceramic Stations of the Cross by local artist and art educator Gawaine Dart. Prof. Dart placed his realistic depictions of the Way of the Cross in neo-Gothic frames with crockets and fleur-de-lis… Read More

Last Updated: February 13, 2016 by stlukesadmin

Interior

St. Luke’s has a large, auditorium-type nave – much like the Protestant meeting houses of the 18th and early 19th centuries – while the emphasis on the altar and the majesty of the Gothic architecture reflects the Church’s… Read More

Last Updated: July 17, 2024 by stlukesadmin

Bricks and Mortar

While the parish of St. Luke’s began worshipping at the address currently designated as 120 North Huron in 1830, it wasn’t until March 14, 1840, that the property deed was conveyed from the City of Ypsilanti to the… Read More

Last Updated: July 17, 2024 by stlukesadmin

A Parade of Preachers

In 1834, Rev. Freeman resigned and Rev. John P. Bausman was appointed as “missionary in charge.” He stayed for only a year. It is unclear who was running the show from Rev. Bausman’s resignation until the diocese appointed… Read More

Last Updated: August 20, 2023 by stlukesadmin

In the Beginning

In a tiny birch-bark canoe one Sunday morning in 1802, a Church of England clergyman, the Rev. Richard Pollard, paddled across the Detroit River on his way from Sandwich, Ontario, to the small frontier trading post of Detroit…. Read More

Last Updated: August 6, 2025 by stlukesadmin

Stained Glass Windows

The ten magnificent memorial stained glass windows by Willets of Philadelphia were installed between 1945-1949 under the chairmanship of Daniel Lace Quirk, Jr., and Charles K. Lamb. They replaced earlier Victorian glass and were a mixture of painted… Read More

Last Updated: September 3, 2023 by stlukesadmin

Gilbert Window

The Gilbert Window (The Incarnation Window) , memorializes Alice H. Gilbert (1861-1946), a member of an old Ypsilanti Family (whose legacy includes the Gilbert Residence for the Aged on South Huron, Gilbert Park, and the restored Gilbert Mansion)…. Read More

Last Updated: September 3, 2023 by stlukesadmin

Ferrier Window

The Ferrier Window (Te Deum or Prayer and Praise Window) , was given by Charles P. Ferrier in memory of his wife, Nancy Quirk Ferrier (1850-1928), daughter of Daniel Lace Quirk and mother of Gertrude Ferrier (1854-1947). The… Read More

Last Updated: September 3, 2023 by stlukesadmin

Clark Window

The Clark Window (Sacraments Window) was given in memory of long-time merchants and parishioners, Charles Harvey Clark (1866-1946) and Harriet B. Clark, by their children Charles Townsend Clark (1919-1993) and Dorothy Clark, and their families. The Clasped hands… Read More

Last Updated: September 3, 2023 by stlukesadmin

Veterans’ Window

The Veterans’ Window was given by the Congregation in memory of the Veterans of World War II. It contains the heraldic devices of the Army, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard. Among the unique characteristics of this window is… Read More

Last Updated: September 3, 2023 by stlukesadmin

Watling Window

The Watling Window (Symbols of Christ Window), was given by Mr. John W. Watling, in memory of his parents, John Andrews Watling (1839-1919) and Eunice Wright Watling (1842-l922) Beginning at the bottom of the Window, the symbols are:… Read More

Last Updated: September 3, 2023 by stlukesadmin

Devoted Members’ Window

The Devoted Members’ Window (Symbols of the Saints Window), given by the parish in thanksgiving for its members, depicts symbols of the saints: St. Peter (Crossed Keys) “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock… Read More

Last Updated: September 3, 2023 by stlukesadmin

Quirk Windows

The Quirk Windows (Altar Windows), given in memory of Julia Trowbridge Quirk, is actually three lancet-shaped windows which contain symbols of the Four Evangelists or Gospel Writers as well as depictions of the Last Supper, the Crucifixion and… Read More

Last Updated: September 3, 2023 by stlukesadmin

Towner Window

The Towner Window (Six Apostles Window), memorializes the Towner Family who lived at 303 North Huron for over a century. These included Norman K. Towner and his wife, Jeannette A. Spencer, and their five children: Carrie L. Towner;… Read More

Last Updated: September 3, 2023 by stlukesadmin

Gustin Window

The Gustin Window (Benedicite Window), in memory of Jessie McClure Gustin (1872-1947), was given by her daughter, Mrs. Ferguson, and is based on The Book of Common Prayer Canticle, “Benedicite omnia opera Domini” (A Song of Creation) from… Read More

Last Updated: September 3, 2023 by stlukesadmin

Moore Window

The Moore Window (Acts of Mercy Window) , in memory of Mary Conway Moore, 1844-1888, given by Mr. Jay Moore and Mrs. Minnie Thompson, and depicting the Seven Corporal Acts of Mercy from Matthew 25:31-46. Feeding the hungry… Read More

Last Updated: June 11, 2019 by stlukesadmin

History

Episcopalians have worshipped in Ypsilanti for nearly two centuries. In the late 1820s missionaries preached to the area’s first settlers and Rev. Silas C. Freeman and Andrew Cornish founded St. James’s Church in 1830. The congregation held services… Read More

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