The last Episcopal service was held in October 2020. Due to the ongoing expenses involved, the Old Stone Church was sold in mid 2021, to hopefully preserve the historic structure.
Early Historic Information
St. Luke's Church was organized on October 2, 1767
The Old Stone Church was built in 1836 at the cost of $3694.67
In 1846 the 2 chandeliers were purchased from St. Stephen's in Pittsfield.
In 1855 the church was stenciled by Mr. Needham of Boston. The blinds on the windows were added at that time.
In 1856 the baptismal font, of Portland Stone, which had been in the attic of the Old North Church in Boston, was presented to St. Luke's by Bishop Eastman. The 2 black walnut chairs in the altar area were added in 1858.
In 1856 a trefoil window of stained glass over the altar was given by Harriet McLaughlin in memory of an infant son. That window was destroyed by gunshot from a careless hunter. The window was replaced in 1936 by Harriet McLaughlin's daughter.
In 1858, on July 22nd between 1-2 am, the tower of the church was struck by lightning. From accounts, "The lightning bolt descending on the northwest pinnacle to the bell deck, leaped upon the roof, splitting the rafters on each side and entering the church by the northeast window, passing thence to the ground, tearing everything in its course." The damage was considerable and the cost was about $150, and soon after lightning rods were placed upon the roof. Damage included a slight bow in the wall which pulled away from the balcony, remaining to this day.
In 1862 a hand pumped William Johnson organ was purchased for $800 and placed in the gallery where it is today. It is made of black walnut and stands 16 feet high, 8½ feet wide, 8 feet deep, and consists of 14 stops with one manual and pedal board. It remains in use today, producing a clear, full tone - one of the oldest hand pumped organs in the country.
In 1866 a bell was purchased for $700 from the foundry of Jones & Company, Troy, NY. In mid March of 1870 a severe gale toppled the upper portion of the church tower carrying the bell several feet across the roof whence it crashed into the deep snow. Damages were in excess of $1300. The exact fate of that centennial bell remains a mystery!!
In 1875 the reredos which dominates the west wall behind the altar was decorated in time for Christmas that year - it is rumored that the church housed the first Christmas tree ever set up inside a church in New England!
In 1886 two stained glass windows were installed. The window to the south portrays the Good Shepard and was a memorial to the Rev. S. B. Shaw. The north side window is a mosaic design and was placed by the Sunday School as a memorial to those children "gone before." The glass in this window came from the local Berkshire Glass Works - it is said that the men used the left over glass to surround the mosaic.
In the 1880's a bell was ordered from Albany to be delivered by train to Pittsfield where it was to be met by buckboard and brought to Lanesboro. With the buckboard waiting, the train did not stop and continued directly to Springfield. Now the buckboard had to make the trip over the mountain to Springfield to fetch the errant bell. After making the difficult journey, to Springfield, the bell was loaded for the trip back over the mountain. Arriving back in Lanesboro on a bright day, everyone had turned out for the raising of the bell into the tower. The horses were tied to ropes, and then all the horses began to pull. The bell began to ascend when there was a snap and the bell fell back to earth. The clamor frightened the horses and they all fled home. It was now Friday evening, and the farmers believed it was now the "devil's playground" and only bad luck to continue. They waited until Saturday morning to try again. This time all went well. That bell still chimes each Sunday that we have services at the Old Stone Church.
St. Luke's Church was organized on October 2, 1767
The Old Stone Church was built in 1836 at the cost of $3694.67
In 1846 the 2 chandeliers were purchased from St. Stephen's in Pittsfield.
In 1855 the church was stenciled by Mr. Needham of Boston. The blinds on the windows were added at that time.
In 1856 the baptismal font, of Portland Stone, which had been in the attic of the Old North Church in Boston, was presented to St. Luke's by Bishop Eastman. The 2 black walnut chairs in the altar area were added in 1858.
In 1856 a trefoil window of stained glass over the altar was given by Harriet McLaughlin in memory of an infant son. That window was destroyed by gunshot from a careless hunter. The window was replaced in 1936 by Harriet McLaughlin's daughter.
In 1858, on July 22nd between 1-2 am, the tower of the church was struck by lightning. From accounts, "The lightning bolt descending on the northwest pinnacle to the bell deck, leaped upon the roof, splitting the rafters on each side and entering the church by the northeast window, passing thence to the ground, tearing everything in its course." The damage was considerable and the cost was about $150, and soon after lightning rods were placed upon the roof. Damage included a slight bow in the wall which pulled away from the balcony, remaining to this day.
In 1862 a hand pumped William Johnson organ was purchased for $800 and placed in the gallery where it is today. It is made of black walnut and stands 16 feet high, 8½ feet wide, 8 feet deep, and consists of 14 stops with one manual and pedal board. It remains in use today, producing a clear, full tone - one of the oldest hand pumped organs in the country.
In 1866 a bell was purchased for $700 from the foundry of Jones & Company, Troy, NY. In mid March of 1870 a severe gale toppled the upper portion of the church tower carrying the bell several feet across the roof whence it crashed into the deep snow. Damages were in excess of $1300. The exact fate of that centennial bell remains a mystery!!
In 1875 the reredos which dominates the west wall behind the altar was decorated in time for Christmas that year - it is rumored that the church housed the first Christmas tree ever set up inside a church in New England!
In 1886 two stained glass windows were installed. The window to the south portrays the Good Shepard and was a memorial to the Rev. S. B. Shaw. The north side window is a mosaic design and was placed by the Sunday School as a memorial to those children "gone before." The glass in this window came from the local Berkshire Glass Works - it is said that the men used the left over glass to surround the mosaic.
In the 1880's a bell was ordered from Albany to be delivered by train to Pittsfield where it was to be met by buckboard and brought to Lanesboro. With the buckboard waiting, the train did not stop and continued directly to Springfield. Now the buckboard had to make the trip over the mountain to Springfield to fetch the errant bell. After making the difficult journey, to Springfield, the bell was loaded for the trip back over the mountain. Arriving back in Lanesboro on a bright day, everyone had turned out for the raising of the bell into the tower. The horses were tied to ropes, and then all the horses began to pull. The bell began to ascend when there was a snap and the bell fell back to earth. The clamor frightened the horses and they all fled home. It was now Friday evening, and the farmers believed it was now the "devil's playground" and only bad luck to continue. They waited until Saturday morning to try again. This time all went well. That bell still chimes each Sunday that we have services at the Old Stone Church.
