A History of St. Luke Lutheran Church

For over six decades, St. Luke Lutheran Church has been a place of welcome, faith, and justice in northwest Atlanta. Our story began in 1962 when the Division of American Missions of the American Lutheran Church (ALC) saw a growing community in need of a spiritual home. They sent a young, newly ordained pastor, Rev. Jerry L. Straszheim (he/him), from Columbus, Ohio, to plant a church rooted in grace, hospitality, and bold faith.

Rev. Straszheim hit the ground running—literally. Knocking on more than 3,500 doors, he invited neighbors from all walks of life to be part of something new: a faith community where love was lived out in action. His passion and persistence took shape when St. Luke held its first worship service on September 8, 1963, at Birney Elementary School—a small gathering with a big vision.

By October 1963, construction had begun on what would become our permanent home. Thanks to the dedication of early members and the support of the wider church, the sanctuary was completed, and on May 31, 1964, we worshiped together in our own space for the first time. That November, the building was officially dedicated, a testament to faith, resilience, and the vision of a church that welcomes all.

A Legacy of Leadership

Through the years, St. Luke has been led by pastors whose ministries have shaped our community in lasting ways:

  • Rev. Jerry L. Straszheim (he/him) (1962-1971) – Our founding pastor, whose energy and vision built St. Luke from the ground up.
  • Rev. Gordon Reinertsen (he/him) (1972-2011) – A steady and faithful leader whose nearly 40-year ministry shaped generations of members.
  • Rev. Craig Storlie (he/him) (2011-2012), Rev. Ruth Hamilton (she/her) (2012-2017), Rev. Paul Summer (he/him) (2017-2019), Rev. David Osborne (he/him) (2019-2020), Rev. Noah Herren (he/they) (2020-2022) – Each left their mark, leading St. Luke with wisdom, compassion, and a deep love for the Gospel.
  • Rev. Matthew O’Rear (he/him) (2022–present) – Continuing the legacy of bold welcome and faithful service as our current pastor.

More Than a Building—A Movement

Yet, the story of St. Luke is not about buildings or pastors—it’s about people. It’s about a community that has always strived to be a force for good, showing up for the most vulnerable, standing for justice, and making space for all to encounter the love of Jesus.

From advocating for LGBTQIA+ inclusion to supporting refugees, from feeding the hungry to lifting up those in crisis, St. Luke has never been afraid to live out its faith in real and tangible ways.

Today, we remain a small church with a big impact—a congregation defined not by size, but by the depth of our love and the reach of our witness. As we look to the future, we continue to be a place of welcome, transformation, and hope, knowing that God’s story through St. Luke is still being written.

And no matter who you are or where you come from, you are always part of it.