READINGS AND MUSIC

Hosted at Historic St. Luke’s Church, Sunday, Jan. 6 at 3:00 pm

Local readers, writers and musicians will be featured in a program of readings and music to end the Christmas season and to celebrate Epiphany. This event, originally presented by Christ Episcopal Church, will move to Historic St. Luke’s and include outstanding talent from throughout our community and the presentation of both religious and secular works.

For information call: 757-675-5777

GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE

Hope Presbyterian Church, Smithfield, Virginia will hold a Good Friday Service at Historic St. Luke's Church at 7pm. This service is open to everyone.

EASTER EGG HUNT

Easter has been celebrated at Historic St. Luke's for nearly four centuries. We would like to continue that tradition! Bring the children and grandchildren with the baskets and enjoy an old fashioned Easter Egg Hunt on the grounds of America's oldest English church. Of course, parents and grandparents are welcome as well!

EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE

Benn's United Methodist Church minister, The Rev. O. H. Burton, will be officiating the Easter Sunrise Service at Historic St. Luke's Church. Everyone is welcome.

HISTORIC GARDEN WEEK AT ST. LUKE'S

The Garden Club of Virginia is nationally recognized for presenting outstanding tours of private homes and gardens throughout Virginia each spring. The town of Smithfield is excited to again be participating in the 2013 Garden Week Tours hosted by the Elizabeth River Garden Club and the Nansemond River Garden Club. Historic St. Luke’s Church - a 2007 Garden Club of Virginia Restoration Project – will be holding a special celebration in conjunction with the garden clubs that day. Popular lecturer and local gardening expert Lisa Ziegler will give a presentation on Organic Gardening in the church at
11:00am on Garden Tour Day, April 20, 2013. Lisa’s talks are quick sell-outs wherever they’ve been given and we are delighted she agreed to give a presentation at St. Luke’s in support of Garden Week.

Admission is by presentation of your Smithfield Garden Week Tour Ticket.

Box lunches will be available by Little’s Catering in a garden-themed tented area on the grounds from 11:30 until 2:00.

The cost of the Box Lunches is $12.50. Reservations for the lunches must be made and paid for in advance at stlukes@visi.net or by calling St. Luke’s at 757-357-3367. A limited number of lunches will be available for purchase the day of the tour without reservations.

Tea and cookies will be served from 3:00 to 5:00 with presentation of your Smithfield Garden Week Tour Ticket.

ENGLISH BOXWOOD SALE

English Boxwoods have been growing for hundreds of years on the ancient grounds of the “Old Brick” Church. Offered only once a year in the spring, the proceeds go toward the preservation of Historic St. Luke’s Church.

Rooted in the past, the boxwood is considered “man’s oldest garden ornament.” Not only are they decorative, their magnificent foliage creates a sanctuary for resident rabbits, squirrels, and a menagerie of birds throughout St. Luke’s uniquely serene graveyard. St. Luke's English boxwoods were cultivated by, The English Connection, of Surry Virginia.

The boxwoods will be available April 20-27, 2013 when our doors open at 9:30am. Also available is the newly published "Historic Virginia Gardens: Preservation Work of The Garden Club of Virginia, 1975-2006" of which Historic St. Luke’s is a featured restoration project.

HERITAGE DAY AT ST. LUKE’S

Saturday, June 8, 2013 from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Celebrate our community heritage with a day full of events at Historic St. Luke’s Church and grounds. Heritage Day - June 8 - will feature history told through stories, writings, quilts, colonial court, land ownership, music, food, and our flora and fauna environment. Come tour “Old Brick” and hear its history. Learn about Colonial and Native American cultures. Take a wagon ride on the Old Colonial Trail. Watch the Plein Air painters on the grounds. Learn to trace your genealogy. Come for a fun day with activities for children and the whole family!

ANNUAL BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS

Come and celebrate with us the Annual Blessing of the Animals which will be held at Historic St. Luke’s Church on Sunday, October 6, 2013 to honor the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi , the Patron Saint of Animals. During this traditional ceremony acknowledging all living creatures as part of creation, each pet will receive an individual blessing. (757) 357-3367

We have a book written about our event, "Lili of St. Luke's" which is for sale in our gift shop!
Take a look at pictures from our past Blessing of the Animals!

2011 Blessing of the Animals
2010 Blessing of the Animals
2009 Blessing of the Animals
2008 Blessing of the Animals
2007 Blessing of the Animals