St. Luke Lutheran Church Historical Time Line
As early as 1720 Lutherans in Schaefferstown worshipped in two log cabins shared with the Reformed congregation.
In 1765 the Lutherans built their church of native limestone and sandstone trim. the interior included three galleries with heavy wooden pillars, the pews were long with straight backs, facing an eight foot pulpit with a narrow stairway leading to it. A square altar sat in the front of the pulpit, having a railing around the four sides. Among early gifts given to the church were a Dieffenbach pipe organ, a pewter communion service from Michael and Barbara Weber and a German pulpit book.
During the Revolutionary War the church served as a hospital and suffered considerable damage.
Sixteen pastors and 1 assistant have served the church.
In 1884 the last major renovations to the church were completed. During this renovation the steeple was moved to the East end, the pulpit was moved to the West and the balcony was completed with entrances on the East and South sides of the building.
In 1932 the chapel building was constructed.
In 1969 the Central Hotel was purchased and demolished to create the church's parking lot.