1890
St. Luke Missionary
A group of young couples migrated from North Carolina in the early 1890’s to seek employment under the supervision of the late Arthur Fell as citrus and cane workers. Mr. Fell gave them a small church which they named St. Luke and employed a Pastor, the late Rev. G Jones of Orlando, FL. Rev. Jones organized them and was a very successful leader for many years. Rev. Jones was called to a larger ministry, so he resigned in favor of Rev. C. J Scott of Orlando, FL. Rev. Scott served as a God sent leader for many, many years. Poor health caused him to resign after several months of being unable to attend services. Rev. A. J Jackson was appointed pastor and served a short time and ordained Rev. Williams Short from the Methodist Church as Pastor.
1915
Pastoral Transfer
Rev. Short was instrumental in encouraging his relatives and friends; who came in this area; to work in the Turpentine Industry in a small town nearby, which is called Ashton. Twenty people (20) joined St. Luke with him. After a few years the Turpentine Industry became bankrupt. The Turpentine Industry was replaced with a Sawmill Industry. Quite a number of the laborers joined the church in 1915. Mr. Robert Burns gave plots for a school, the A ME. Church and the present St. Luke Church. The county built the one room school but the members and friends built the church, financed by rallies, gifts, taxation and etc.. They were successful and happy to move in their new church in 1916. Having served St. Luke for about 15 years, Rev. William Short resigned and Rev. T Brook of Tampa accepted the pastorate.
Rev. S. D. Jenkins
Rev. Armstead accepted another call to St. Luke for about two years. Then Rev S. D. Jenkins became the pastor for St. Luke and carried on for more than five years. The membership grew low and Rev Jenkins decided to find a better field. Rev. J W Neugin took over with a pleasure and a God given call for several years. Rev. Brooks of Deland served a short period, again Rev. Neugin succeeded him for a short time and then he was called to Shiloh for full time ministry and gave his resignation. After Rev. Neugin resignation, Rev. Jenkins returned and served diligently until health-related problems prevented him from completing this call.
Jul 5, 2022
Rev. Remer Baker, Sr.
After the resignation of Rev. Jenkins, Rev. Remer Baker, Sr. of Kissimmee answered the call of St. Luke and served faithfully as Pastor for over seventeen years. Rev. Baker was a faithful servant of God and faithful servant to the congregation to spiritually guide and lead St Luke. After health-related problems, Rev. Baker, Sr. resigned in 1995. sera caecitas.
1996
1996-1999
Rev. Charles E. McKay, Sr. came to St. Luke in January of 1996. From day one, it was obvious that he was a servant of God and a very recommended spiritual leader for St. Luke. Rev. McKay served St. Luke with all heart and opened up new beginnings. He served from 1996 to 1998. During Pastor McKay’s leadership, a woman, Minister Anita Gaines, was licensed on December 22, 1996 and accepted as Associate Pastor for the first time in the history of St. Luke. Upon the departure of Pastor Charles E. McKay, Minister Gaines carried out the duties as spiritual leader for one year.
In the year 2000, Pastor Antonio Brown accepted the Pastoral duties until February 2001.
2000
2000-2001
In the year 2000, Pastor Antonio Brown accepted the Pastoral duties until February 2001. After his Pastoral period, the church was once again carried on under Minister Anita Gaines and Minister Michael C. Woods. On September 9, 2001, Minister Gaines and Minister Woods were ordained as ministers in the Baptist faith by Rev. Joseph Clay. In October 2001, Pastor Woods was installed as current Pastor of St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church where he continues to lead this flock. Pastor Woods is a Minister growing with his Church.
In October of 2001, Pastor Woods was installed as Pastor of St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church of Narcoossee. Pastor Woods was a God sent man for seventeen (17) years to the church. We excelled in areas as never before: instrumental in getting the church incorporated, we purchased land in the area for our new church and paid for it in cash, increased membership, extended the Deacon Board by two new Deacons, increased youth attendance and choir, and always had our music ministry at a high.
2009
2009-current
We started building a new sanctuary in 2009 on our new land. We are still in the process of building with the help of the Lord and prayerfully we will move in 2020.
Reverend Woods decided to retire on November 2, 2018, from St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church of Narcoossee as Pastor. After his retirement, again, Reverend Anita Gaines became our Interim Pastor.
On October 16, 2019, St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church of Narcoossee, Florida, Inc. is so pleased and blessed to announce that we have a new Pastor-Elect that will be coming on board, Reverend Marcus A. Stovall of Jacksonville, Florida in January 2020.