LUMINARY CHURCH
About Our History
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For more than a century, Luminary Church has stood as a beacon of faith and fellowship in the Ten Mile community. What began as a small gathering of believers has grown into a vibrant church family deeply rooted in Scripture, service, and tradition.
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
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The original Luminary Church—fondly remembered as “Old Luminary”—was located about a mile down River Road from our current site. That first building served as both a church and a schoolhouse, with students sitting on rough-hewn log benches and learning on a dirt floor. Though the exact founding date is unknown, memories shared by early members like Mrs. Hester B. Gordon remind us of its humble and heartfelt beginnings.
Plans for a new church began in 1905. A team of dedicated men from the community selected the location and began preparing the land—clearing brush and securing plans for construction. By 1907, the new building was completed and dedicated, with Rev. J.W. Warren serving as its first pastor. A revival that same year brought over 100 professions of faith and firmly established Luminary Church as a growing spiritual home.
GROWTH THROUGH GENERATIONS
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Through the decades, Luminary Church expanded in both size and spirit. In the 1950s, Sunday School classes were added and major repairs were made to the church and parsonage. By the late '50s and early '60s, members like Frank Woody and W.P. Collier helped build additional Sunday School rooms using donated lumber and volunteer labor.
In 1971, structural concerns led to a complete rebuild of the sanctuary—retaining cherished elements from the original, such as the altar, lights, and pews. The new building was rededicated in 1975, debt-free, thanks to the generosity and dedication of members like Alton Johnson. That same spirit of community came alive again just a few years later when the Fellowship Hall was built, providing space for meals, meetings, and Sunday School.
By 1983, Luminary had grown enough to become a full-time charge, with Rev. Michael Powers as its first full-time pastor. During the 1990s, the church welcomed many new members—especially retirees drawn to the beauty of Ten Mile. Luminary became a spiritual home for believers from various denominations, creating a welcoming and diverse congregation.
RETURNING HOME - A NEW CHAPTER
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In the early 2000s, plans to build a larger sanctuary on the existing site were set aside in favor of returning to the church's original roots. A 5.5-acre tract near the Luminary Cemetery—close to the site of the first church—was purchased. Under the guidance of contractor Gene Standridge and building committee chair Wayne Tipps, construction began in 2002.
The new sanctuary opened on September 28, 2003, with over 350 people in attendance. That morning, members carried cherished items from the old building—like the cross, pulpit Bible, and offering plate—up River Road in a symbolic walk from the past into the future. Before carpet was laid, Bible verses were written on the concrete floor, a lasting testimony to the faith that built this house of worship.
CONTINUING THE MISSION
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Since moving into the new sanctuary, Luminary Church has continued to thrive. Ministries like the clothes closet, food pantry, youth programs, and senior outreach reflect our ongoing commitment to the community. Our sanctuary now hosts two services, and our mission remains the same: to draw people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
As we look back on more than 100 years of faith, we give thanks for the generations who built this church—both physically and spiritually. Their legacy lives on every Sunday, every outreach project, and every time someone walks through our doors and finds a place to call home.
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