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St. Luke's Episcopal Church
806 13th Street
Altoona, PA 16602
(814) 942-1372
Click here for a map to locate St. Luke’s
info@stlukesaltoona.org
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Music
For many, a meaningful encounter with God may be through music. At St. Luke’s, our hope and expectation is to encounter God, also, in the eyes, hearts, and voices of all those with whom we make music -- whether in the pew or in the choir. It is a joyful experience, and a hope kindled by the Holy Spirit. All are heartily invited to listen, learn, sing, and serve in the music-making at St. Luke's.
The choir of adults and young people rehearses on Thursday evenings at 7:00 PM and on Sunday mornings at 9:30 AM. The children’s choir sings seasonally. Please contact music@stlukesaltoona.org for more information.
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The St. Luke’s Handbell Choir, known affectionately as “Bell’s Angels,” formed in 2007 and practices year-round. Newcomers are always welcome. In the fall of 2008, we are adding bells for young children and hand chimes to our handbell music.
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St. Luke’s has a 17-rank Moeller organ, dedicated November 28, 1948, to the men and women of St. Luke’s who served in the armed forces in World War II. The organ was later refurbished and re-dedicated May 17, 1992.
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Periodically, parish and community musicians enhance worship with an array of instruments, including flute, harp, guitar, piano, and brass.
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We have offered workshops on creative writing, Easter egg decorating in Eastern European traditions, handmade papermaking, brass rubbing, and making and praying with Anglican prayer beads. Having one of the few remaining proscenium stages in the Altoona area, the Parish House auditorium has enabled parishioners and community organizations to offer numerous theatricals. Watch for future productions!
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Architecture
St. Luke’s buildings are architecturally and historically significant in the Altoona area. Frederick Clark Withers, an architect from New York City, was hired to design the current church building. In 1881, the congregation began construction of the present church building, made of Ohio sandstone. Our seating capacity is 500.
The church belfry houses three large memorial bells, cast in the McShane Bell Foundry in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1881, and erected in the church the same year. Inscribed on the bells are the names "Faith," "Hope," and "Charity." The largest bell, Faith, weighs 1,000 pounds; the middle-sized bell, Hope, weighs 500 pounds; and the smallest bell, Charity, weighs 300 pounds. Parishioners continue to ring them before each service and at other special occasions.
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The oldest of the current stained glass windows, which includes the altar window of Jesus the Good Shepherd, date from 1882. Early in the 20th century, the memorial window called “The Resurrection Angel,” by the artist Louis Comfort Tiffany, was installed on the South aisle at St. Luke’s. Once exhibited in a Paris salon, the window was given in memory of E. E. Reed, senior warden and superintendent of the Pennsylvania Railroad, who died in 1900. Another early window is the “Lotus Window,” fashioned in a unique style of leaded glass. The remaining memorial windows are painted glass, depicting scenes from the life of Jesus.
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