St. Luke's Lutheran Church Fort Smith, Ar Located May Avenue & Alabama From Eric Nelson..... Here's a fairly accurate update on the church building. It was the original home of St. Luke Lutheran Church-ULCA (United Lutheran Church in America). St. Luke was formed in the late 1920's after a group of members with Masonic affliation were asked to leave downtown 1st Lutheran Church in FS (North 12th & Grand Avenue). The newly installed lead minister, Rev. Karl Kretzschmar, initiated the membership cleaning in accordance with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod guidelines. It was these members who formed the nucleus of St. Luke Lutheran Church. The congregation moved to a new location at Rogers Avenue & South 25 Street (today's location of Family Medical Care, red brick bldg) about 1950. Then, around 1980, the church relocated to 5401 Free Ferry at Waldron Road, its current home. In 1988, St. Luke joined the newly formed ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America). Several other church groups have occupied the building over the years. I'm not aware of any Presbyterian church using the space. Church of Christ & Assembly of God, yes. Karl Kretzschmar arrived at 1st Lutheran Church as lead minister in March 1924. My 'best guess' of the exodus of Masonic members is 1926. And the building at May Avenue & Alabama constructed 1928 (approximately). If the Church Council records are available at 1st LC from 1924-1938 (Kretzschmar's service), perhaps there would be more specific information. He died unexpectedly of a heart attack in 1938. 1st LC had a neon lighted green cross atop the main spire from the 1940's-1980's in honor of the ministry of Karl Kretzschmar. It was removed due to tornado damage to the steeple.