St. Luke's Church, Blue Ridge

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St. Luke's Church, an Episcopal / Anglican Church located in Blue Ridge, Georgia, is popularly known as "The Parish Church of the Mountains" because it draws worshippers from Fannin, Gilmer and Union Counties in Georgia and from Cherokee County in North Carolina and Polk County in Tennessee. The church is affiliated with the Episcopal Missionary Church, which is part of the Continuing Anglican movement.

[edit] History

The first Anglican service in Blue Ridge was held on 7 June 1987 in the community room of the Blue Ridge City Hall, with 12 persons present. Several weeks after weekly services began, Mrs. David Henry (Willa) Haight III gave several lots near the city center for the construction of a church. One of the lots included a cemetery from the early 20th century containing graves of early setters of Fannin County.

In 1995, a church of Carpenter Gothic design was constructed on the site located at the corner of Ewings and Jones. The building has a set of leaded glass windows, much fine walnut woodwork and an organ from The Netherlands. The church and grounds are popular with tourists.

The Rev. Victor H. Morgan, a native of Jackson, Mississippi, was the founding Rector.

[edit] Blue Ridge

Main article: Blue Ridge, Georgia

Blue Ridge is the county seat of Fannin County, Georgia. The town was incorporated by an act of the Georgia Legislature on October 24, 1887. In 1895, the county seat was relocated from Morganton to Blue Ridge.

Prior to incorporation, the Marietta and North Georgia Railroad was build through what is now the town center.