Conway and Warren faithful form mission partnership

Over two work days, St. Luke Church is cleaned up, beautified inside and out

Published: April 17, 2014

By Brenda Clark
El Dorado Correspondent

Brenda Clark

Volunteers remove an old cedar tree in front of St. Luke Church in Warren. Observers said the church seemed to come alive after the large tree was removed, opening up the flower beds and revealing a stained glass window.

Brenda Clark

WARREN — Hidden behind a tree and years of neglect, St. Luke Church in Warren came alive after parishioners, working alongside members of the Missions Committee of St. Joseph Church in Conway, reclaimed the church and renewed the beauty of the center of their religious life with paint, yard work and fellowship.

Don Greenland, chairman of the Missions Committee, said the Conway group identifies needs locally, statewide and internationally in search of mission work. The Warren parish was identified as one of the “least congregations but with the most needs,” according to Joe Cordaro, also a member of Missions Committee. He said the group met initially with members of St. Luke in the fall for a needs assessment and in January the first work day was set for the outreach work with a follow-up day March 29.

From the evaluation, the two groups begin working to refurbish the church. The paneling on the sanctuary wall behind the altar was lightened with white paint, prompting pastor Father Tony Robbins to express his delight.

“I noticed the wall. Walking in, it makes it look like you are walking into the light. It made it much more beautiful. The building reflects the beauty of the universal Church,” Father Robbins said, grinning.

The church was originally built in 1907 by the Episcopal Diocese of Arkansas but closed in the late 1920s and sat vacant until the Diocese of Little Rock bought it in 1948. In 1998 it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. According to the register, the church’s exterior is concrete blocks that have been treated to look like ashlar stone.

The group washed down the outside of the building, cleaned and painted the doors and inspected the roof. New flashing was installed to repair a leak on the rectory building, where everyone gathered for lunch and fellowship.

Landscaping needs were also tended to, including the removal of the overgrown cedar tree that hid the building and was a danger to the stained glass windows and foundation. Once the tree was down, the beauty of the church could be seen by those passing by.

Father Robbins said that he is pleased with his congregation, which is predominantly Hispanic.

“I am very proud of everyone from St. Luke’s to rebuild their parish church and to have help from St. Joseph’s,” he said. “It makes them know they are not alone. It is a big blessing to build up their parish and their faith. It helps them to appreciate what they have.”

About 115 people regularly attend the mission’s one Spanish Mass on Sundays.

“We have a good regular Mass attendance. The church is full most Sundays. By the time we sing the Gloria, the church is full,” Father Robbins said, laughing, “but for Our Lady of Guadalupe (Dec. 12), we have to meet in Hermitage because there will be over 500. Not all of those attend St. Luke’s, some go to Monticello and some don’t go to church.”

Father Robbins has been tending to his flock at St. Luke’s for almost three years and sees the mission work as preparing the church for its new pastor, Father Eddie D’Almeida, who will take over Aug. 5.

“I feel that God has prepared St. Luke’s to be under the guidance of Father Eddie. I feel confident that it is a sign of God with the work of St. Joseph’s and St. Luke’s because St. Joseph’s is Father Eddie’s home parish. It gives me peace of mind. It will be difficult to leave the people, I love the people of St. Luke’s,” Father Robbins said, “but they will be in the hands of a good leader.”

Father Robbins will continue to tend to St. Louis Church in Camden and Immaculate Heart of Mary in Magnolia. Father D’ Almeida will also be the pastor for Holy Redeemer Church in El Dorado. Father Gregory Pilcher, OSB, will move from Holy Redeemer to St. Scholastica Church in New Blaine.