JEFFERSONVILLE —

One hundred and fifty years ago, a number of German-heritage Jeffersonville residents formed a new Protestant Church. They called it, “St. Luke’s.” It still exists today as St. Luke’s United Church of Christ. We are located in a building built in 1915 at the corner of Maple and Walnut Streets in Jeffersonville.

We no longer have our sermons in German, but still celebrate the German roots of the Church, as well as our diversity with members of many backgrounds.

When many German churches dissolved during World War I, we did not. Many sons of the Church served in the U.S. military. During World War II, Korea, Vietnam, as well as Iraq and Afghanistan wars, our members proudly served the U.S. again.

We endured the Great Depression and were doing reasonably well when the 1937 flood destroyed the interior of the sanctuary and flood waters rose to the level of Jesus’ feet, which is painted behind our altar. Many of our members were farmers who raised money to repair the damage by using their recipes for German sausage and potato salad as a fundraiser meal, open to the community. It continues today as our Annual Sausage Supper.

St. Luke’s has led a number of community activities since it began, and many members have served the community as elected leaders in local government and civic groups. St. Luke’s has led with the organization of The Center for Lay Ministries with other downtown churches — and that has been a boon for the community for nearly 40 years. We discussed in the 1960s leaving for the suburbs, but elected to stay inside the same building and continue our ministries. A decade ago, we originated a program called, “Loaves and Fishes,” where we share our Church kitchen with other groups and churches to provide a Saturday lunch for hungry individuals who find themselves in need.

The Lord has been good to us at St. Luke’s and we exist to serve Him from here in downtown Jeffersonville. During this, our sesquicentennial year, we invite you and your civic group to host one of meetings here, in our newly renovated Watson Hall, where you too may be inspired by the Grace of God. The Divine presence during deliberations of leaders is important. We feel his guidance in our meetings and wish to let you also lead your civic group with that Divine unspoken assistance.

Call me at 812-288-5141 or Pastor Jennifer Mills-Knutsen at 812-282-3383 to schedule a time when you and your group can share our home for the good works you can give the community. We wish to share God’s gift with all who enter our home and believe that this community needs spiritual leadership now, and more than ever.

— Jack Vissing, Jeffersonville