1969-1989
The Rev. Paul Shields Walker assumed the rectorship of the parish in March 1969. Under his leadership, the Episcopal Day School (EDS) was chartered in 1970. With 24 students enrolled, the first EDS classes in grades one through five met in the Sunday School classrooms of Saint Luke’s parish house from September, 1970, until January, 1971. Father Walker served as school chaplain, conducting daily morning services. EDS merged with Old Hickory Academy in 1989 to form the University School of Jackson, now located on McClellan Road in north Jackson.
The Rev. Alex Comfort was rector from 1983 to 1986, during which time a 9:00 a.m. Family Service was added. Fr. Comfort was our primary speaker at our 175th anniversary celebration and Saint Luke's was overjoyed to reconnect.
From 1986 to 1988, the Rev. Fr. Peter Magill was rector. Father Magill was instrumental in establishing the Community Kitchen, now part of RIFA, the Regional Inter Faith Association, which provides a food pantry, soup kitchen, thrift store, and the snack-backpack program that Saint Luke's still participates in to this day.
