From the Daily Observer:

After almost a year without a home, St. Luke’s Anglican Church is finally living what many have called the “miracle of Julien Street.”

The congregation opened another chapter in its short life Saturday holding its first service in its new chapel less than three months after purchasing the former Pembroke catering hall on Julien Street in Pembroke’s east end.

“We at St. Luke’s want to give public thanks and praise to God for all He has done for us over the last year, and particularly in leading us to our new location,” said Pastor Tim Parent as he greeted crowds of well-wishers.

“It’s humbling and we’re grateful to folk within St. Luke’s and the community. This thanksgiving season has certainly taken on a new meaning.”

Forming in November, 2008, the parish held services at the Seventh Day Adventist Church while slowly raising the funds to buy the catering hall. The membership managed to raise $120,000 in just three weeks signalling to them that they were proceeding in the right direction, added Pastor Parent.

Purchasing the hall in August, 100 volunteers began renovating the building dividing it into two sections, a community hall and a sanctuary. In addition, several area businesses provided materials and labour at a reasonable cost or donated them altogether.

“Our sincere hope is this new building will be used for God’s glory and in doing God’s work,” remarked Pastor Parent noting the area’s newest church has felt it’s become part of the community. “We do have a committed and lively congregation.”

St. Luke’s is one of 30 parishes in the Anglican Network in Canada which averages a Sunday attendance of around 3,500 to date. It was established in 2005 to commit to the foundational principles and historic standards of the Anglican tradition. Two years later, however, the network announced it would provide episcopal oversight for Canadian Anglicans and parishes that no longer had a home in the Anglican Church.

Attending this inaugural service was the church’s bishop, the Right Reverend Donald Harvey. He said he was pleased the congregation now has a home and praised them for maintaining a robust membership.

“It’s one of the jewels in our crown,” said Bishop Harvey. “Now the challenge is to go out into the community and bring souls to Christ.”

Despite being the new congregation on the block, St. Luke’s has already linked itself with Pembroke and area interchurch associations and continues to maintain visibility in the community. While at its temporary home, the church conducted baptisms, confirmations and marriage preparation, while supporting ministries, Bible studies and grief counselling. The church entered a team in the Relay for Life this past June and has sponsored a missionary couple in Angola.