The Federal-style Church of St. Luke in the Fields is the third-oldest church building in New York City.

The church becomes a chapel of Trinity Church on Wall Street.

St. Luke's School opens with four grades under the Rev. Leicester C. Lewis, Vicar, and Margurite S. Gates, Principal. The first classrooms are in the rear wing of the Parish House.

The Rev. Paul C. Weed succeeds Father Lewis as Vicar of St. Luke's Chapel and Headmaster of St. Luke's School.

Growing rapidly, the school starts adding a grade each year, adding Grade 5 in 1947 and Grade 6 in 1948. Three classrooms over the gymnasium are converted from apartments.

Katharine Taylor is named Principal and holds that position until 1981.

The entire St. Luke's block is renovated, razing many of the 1820s townhouses to make room for a new building, playground, and garden for the growing school.

The baby boom and St. Luke's growing reputation push enrollment over 200.

The Rev. Ledlie Laughlin succeeds Father Weed as Rector and Headmaster of St. Luke's.

Trinity Parish decides to divest itself of St. Luke’s Chapel, resulting in the formation of the Church of St. Luke in the Fields. A formal School Board, headed by the Rector, is established.

A devastating fire sweeps through the church leaving only the Dutch brick walls from the original building. All church activities take place in the school building for the next four years.

Barbara Belknap becomes Principal until 1990.

The Village rallies for a rebuild, resulting in rededication of the Church of St. Luke in the Fields.

In 1989, St. Luke’s School undertakes a self-study that prompts a reassessment of governance and mission. Katherine Johnson serves as the Interim Principal from 1990-1991.

New by-laws and mission are approved by the School Board and ratified by the Vestry. The school’s structure changes under these by-laws to define the Head of School as a secular position rather than a pastoral one. Jessie-Lea Hayes assumes this new role until 1995.

The Rev. Roger Ferlo succeeds Father Laughlin as Rector of St. Luke's.

Ann Mellow succeeds Jessie-Lea Hayes and leads the school until 2007.

The Grace Sawyer Library and Multimedia Center is dedicated.  The library is named after Grace Sawyer, a teacher and parishioner whose commitment and creativity enriched the St. Luke's community.

The Rev. Caroline Stacey becomes Rector in May 2005.

Bart Baldwin is named Head of School.

Having received the independent school charter and the necessary IRS designation, the church and school negotiated the separation of financial, physical, and intellectual resources. The resulting separation of assets agreement was signed on December 1, 2012, thereby securing St. Luke’s School’s independence.

St. Luke’s School begins its official expansion to increase the school size from one class per grade to two smaller classes per grade.

St. Luke's School opens its two-story addition in September 2017 with nine classrooms, a renovated auditorium, and one of the largest middle school gyms in New York City.

St. Luke's School dedicates its renovated playground as a result of the Grounds for Our Future fundraising effort.

St. Luke's School has fully expanded to two classes per grade up to Grade 8, excluding JK which will not expand.  

Our outdoor courtyard was renovated, and the old amphitheater completely rebuilt, to invigorate our outdoor spaces and provide more accommodations for outdoor learning.

In the 2020-2021 academic year, St. Luke's School successfully navigated in-person learning, while offering a hybrid option, during a global pandemic.

Fall 2022, St. Luke's completed the Grounds for Our Future campaign with a beautiful rooftop playfield and learning center.

Tracy Fedonchik is named Head of School.

Reclaiming unused space from the 2017 construction, the Loggia enlarges and brightens Grade 2 and 3 classrooms, allowing students and teachers additional space for small group work, student collaboration, quiet reading and creative expression.

Scroll down to watch a video about the renovation!

The computer lab was renovated in the summer of 2024 to create space for an evolving Makerspace for student use during dedicated STEM classes, as well as other open times before, during, and after school.

We can't wait to see what's in store for this year and hope to celebrate with you!