Our story begins in January of 1872 when a group of people decided to hold German Services at the corner of Richmond Ave. and West Utica St. in a small chapel called Hope Chapel.
The first church was called St. Lucas Evangelica.
Our current church building was built in 1911. It was called St Luke’s Evangelical and Reformed Church.
In December 1968 First Pilgrim Congregational Church Located on Elmwood Ave. and Bryant Street merged with “St. Luke’s” and became Pilgrim-St Luke’s, United Church of Christ (PSL).
In 1989 The Rev Dr. M. Bruce McKay was called to serve our conversation. With Pastor Bruce our congregation was a founding member of VOICE- BUFFALO. Growing from a handful of congregation on Buffalo’s West side, VOICE now includes about 40 congregations and organizations in both the City and suburbs. It includes Protestant and Roman Catholic and Unitarian Churches, Religious Orders as well as two large labor unions and Peacemaking Organizations on Buffalo’s East Side. He served as co-pastor with The Rev. Justo Gonzales before retiring in 2014.
In 2012, The Rev. Justo Gonzalez II joined us five years as co-pastor, then lead pastor, to help grow our Hispanic Congregation and outreach. He created the Ministry “ El Nuevo Camino”. Pastor Justo was instrumental In our ability to offer bilingual services, rethink our approach to finances and was the visionary who helped us to realize our mission as a Sanctuary Church. In the spring of 2017, Pastor Justo received a call to serve as Interim Conference Minister in Michigan.
Life at PSL thrived and remained vibrant during the two year period when we were without a settled pastor. Several gifted and wonderful retired pastors lovingly guided us through this time period.
April 9th, 2019, The Rev. Nancy Rosas began her ministry with us after being called and affirmed as our new Pastor. Pastor Nancy is committed to co-creating a faith community rooted in God’s love where extravagant hospitality, generosity, liberation for all, joy, and imagination are core values guiding the life and ministry of the church. we are building this dream together.
Previously, she was Lead Pastor and former Co- Pastor of Spiritual Formation at Washington Park UCC, Denver, Colorado.