St Lukes is one of the most celebrated churches in Oamaru as it was the first in the district to be built from Oamaru stone. It was erected in three stages from 1866 to 1913 and is a Category 1 Historic Place.
There is a two-light South African War memorial window dedicated to the memory of Trooper Harold J. Booth of the First Contingent NZMR, killed in action at Rensburg on 25 January 1900.
The First World War memorial comprises a stained glass window depicting the images of a soldier, St Luke and Jesus; and three panels made from glazed tiles in cast iron and timber frames. Two record the names of congregation members who lost their lives serving overseas. On the opposite wall, a wooden tablet lists the names of soldiers who returned. Another two-light memorial window is dedicated to Frank Jones, killed in action in the Somme on 23 September 1916.
The church's Second World War memorial is the elaborately carved altar, reredos and panelling. There is also a Second World War roll of honour in book form (not pictured here).
Images: Bruce Comfort, 2010; Bruce Ringer, 2014
Text: Bruce Ringer, 2021