In the Beginning:
The Order of St. Luke was founded in 1932, in St. Luke’s Church, in San Diego, California, by the Reverend John Gayner Banks, an Episcopal priest, and his wife, Ethel Tulloch Banks, as a Christian fellowship of clergy and lay people interested in sharing experiences of Jesus' healing ministry. Their vision was to draw all those involved in various healing ministries under the umbrella of a world, Christian healing fellowship, which would be based on the four Gospels of Jesus Christ. In 1953, it was incorporated in the state of California as The International Order of St. Luke the Physician. Their vision was one of inclusion that would invite people of all faiths from around the world to join them.
Local History
The St. David’s,Capital Area Chapter of OSL had its beginnings in the early 1990’s at the First United Methodist Church in Plymouth, MI. It was in the sanctuary of that church, during a break at a healing conference, that Barb & John Post and Carol and Jerry Williams laid on the Lord the desire of their hearts—that an OSL chapter might be established at their home church of St. David’s in Lansing. That prayer began to be answered when they learned there was an OSL Chaplain in Grand Rapids who was willing to come to St. David’s to conduct an Induction Service. They also learned their parish priest, The Rev. David Pike, had been a member of OSL and was willing to serve as a Chaplain for the new chapter. A Healing Conference was planned and came to fruition on Nov. 4, featuring The Rev. Al Durance, North American OSL Warden Emeritus as its missioner. The next day the St. David’s, Capital Area Chapter of OSL was chartered by The Rev. David Bickett, OSL Region 4 Director and Chaplain, with Fr. Durrance assisting. Fr. David was also inducted as our Chaplain.
Since its inception, our chapter has continued to hold meetings on a regular basis and provide classes related to Christian healing and healing services for parishioners and the larger community. We have also held many healing conferences—some featuring nationally known missioners and some utilizing our own resources. We have been active in planning and sponsoring OSL Region 4 conferences and have helped plan and implement a North American OSL Conference. Each year in October, on or near St. Luke’s Day, we meet at a local restaurant to celebrate our patron Saint’s Day.
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