It is believed that funding to build the St Luke's Church in Yea all started in 1862 with a donation of 16s donated by a Miss Watton, her wish was that the funds were to be places towards the construction of an Anglican Church. A following £20 was donated by Mrs Ker.
Mrs Ker and her sister in-law Miss Flora de Burgh continued to raise funds and the Church was completed 6 years later and officially opened in October 1868. The costing of the build was £600 with and additional £200 for essential furnishings this includes aid from the Government of £ for £ subsidy. The furnishings were completed throughout with a very generous donation from Mrs E. S. Purcell, these donations included: front lectern, lamps, prayer desk and Carpeting. Mrs Purcell also left £50 towards the building of a Parish Hall which was yet to be built.
Over the years various additions and renovations took place at St Lukes. A sanctuary and vestry were added although the date of these additions can not be confirmed although we do know that they had been completed when the Jubilee of the Parish was celebrated in 1907.
Discussions of building a Parish Hall were put on halt until after World Was 1. Unfortunately there is no notes within the Parish records stating when the Parish Hall was constructed, however Shire Minutes show us that the it was opened at some point in 1925. The Parish Hall under went major alterations and renovation in 1961, at this time the stage was removed to crate more floor space.
The Rectory was constructed on the side of the hill in 1959.
The first recorded batism at St Lukes after it became an independent parish was probably the daughter of William and Elizabeth Wade- Alice Maud Wade, this Baptism took place on the 1st May 1881.
The first Wedding that took place at St Luke's Yea was probably that of Mary Ann Chaplain and Charles George Knights, on the 11th October 1881.
In the Alexander Times dated 24 July 1875 there was an article outlining the need of a fence for the Church:
The guardians of St Luke's Church Yea announced their intention of holding a *Bruce Auction on the first Saturday of September. The proceeds to be devoted to fencing in the Church Grounds the Church at current is without any fence, which is very inconvenient for persons riding to the Church who have to hang their horses to a gum tree. The following gentlemen have consented to receive subscriptions of any kind - W. L. Ker, W Wade, James Brown, A Bailey, T. Oates and E.G. Webster.
* A Bruce Auction was held annually to raise funds for the St Luke's Church in Yea. The auction was held at the Town Hall and items which could be found at auction Included: Fancy articles for the household, useful clothing, portraits of the Bishop, dolls of all descriptions. These items were donated from businesses, individuals and families in the area. The auction would end at about 6pm and would follow with a concert. The Bruce Auction in 1883 raised funds of over £50.
Below you will see a partial copy of the original newspaper article:
History
