Merritt Island in Brevard County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

St. Luke's Episcopal Church

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, December 31, 2013

1. St. Luke's Episcopal Church Marker

Inscription. St. Luke's Episcopal Church of Courtenay was formed by the Porcher, LaRoche, Sams and other families that settled on north Merritt Island after leaving the Charleston, South Carolina area in 1875 due to the loss of their homes and plantations during the Civil War. The first services were held in 1879 in a store building on the bank of the Indian River. In 1888, Edward Porcher donated property for the site of St. Lukes Episcopal Church. It was built with a $600 donation from Lucy Boardman of New Haven, Connecticut, along with the donated labor of parishioners. The Florida Gothic style, common architecture for Episcopal churches in Florida at the time, was a board and batten wooden 600-square-foot structure built of locally milled hand-planed island pine and cypress with a steep gabled roof and square bell tower. During the early years, the church did not have a vicar. Ministers from churches in Cocoa and Titusville traveled by boat to hold monthly services, while members led the weekly services. The chapel is still used for mid-week and special services. The church is surrounded on three sides by an historic cemetery. The church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.

Erected 2003 by The Brevard County Historical Commission, The Brevard County Tourist Development Council

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and the Floirda Department of State. (Marker Number F-574.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1879.

Location. 28° 27.45′ N, 80° 42.991′ W. Marker is on Merritt Island, Florida, in Brevard County. It is at the intersection of North Tropical Trail and Church Road, on the left when traveling north on North Tropical Trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5555 North Tropical Trail, Merritt Island FL 32953, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Florida’s Space Coast.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: John H. Sams Homestead (approx. 1.1 miles away); Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church of Merritt Island & Community Cemetery (approx. 1.1 miles away); City Point Community Church (approx. 3.3 miles away); Indianola Pioneer Cemetery (approx. 3.6 miles away); John R. Field Homestead (approx. 4.1 miles away); We Are “Go” For Launch (approx. 4.9 miles away); 1957: Cold War Cooperation (approx. 5 miles away); Global Television Arrives (approx. 5 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Merritt Island.

St. Luke's Episcopal Church Marker, church and cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, December 31, 2013

2. St. Luke's Episcopal Church Marker, church and cemetery

St. Luke's Episcopal Cemetery graves image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, December 31, 2013

3. St. Luke's Episcopal Cemetery graves

Photographed by Diane Murphy, August 2024

4. St. Luke's Episcopal Church Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 15, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 24, 2017, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 769 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 24, 2017, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 4. submitted on August 14, 2024, by Diane Murphy of Saint Cloud, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.