Historical Summary of St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church

12/17/2010 - Bishop Richard Pates announced formation of new parish in Ankeny IA. Also announced donation of 35 acres of land in NW Ankeny from Fern Ringgenberg for new Church, School and Senior Housing Center. In addition, Don & Charlene Lamberti pledged $2MM to be used for the new school.

12/17/2010 - Bishop Pates named Father Larry Hoffmann as first Pastor of St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church.

01/31/2011 - First Organizing Committee Meeting held @ OLIH Parish Rectory basement, which served as temporary office space for Father Larry. Approximately 40 registered parishioners.

01/31/2011 - 04/01/2011 - Home Masses held to help increase membership.

03/06/2011 - Reception at Pinnacle Club @ Otter Creek held for potential members. 58 families registered at this point.

03/13/2011 - First Mass held @ Ashland Ridge Elementary School.

03/21/2011 - Offices moved to St. Anne’s Episcopal Church. One office for Father Larry and another office/meeting room available.

03/20/2011 - Choir established and sang at Mass.

03/24/2011 - Parish Finance Council organized.

04/09/2011 - Liturgy Committee formed.

04/10/2011 - Bishop Pates officially installed Father Larry Hoffmann as Pastor of St. Luke’s at 9:00 a.m. Mass @ Ashland Ridge Elementary School.

04/24/2011 - First Baptism held at St. Luke’s – Twin sisters Caroline & Calista Edwards. Children of Matt Edwards & Tracy Deutmeyer.

06/02/2011 - SCRIP program established.

06/12/2011 - First Annual St. Luke’s Parish-wide Picnic held at North Creek (FROG) Park.

08/15/2011 - Parish phone number established & part time staff hired - Jenifer Mulcahy as Administrative Assistant and Cindy Clefisch as Faith Formation Coordinator.

08/28/2011 - First Annual St. Luke’s-2-Our Lady’s Bike-Walk-Run fundraiser held. Proceeds went toward St. Luke’s Building Fund.

09/18/2011 - Mass moved from Ashland Ridge to Northview Middle School Auditorium.

09/18/2011 - First RE Class held in Northview Middle School classrooms and hallways.

09/21/2011 - Vision & Purpose Team established to come up with a Vision & Mission Statement.

10/23/2011 - First Annual Pasta Dinner held at Lakeside Center as fundraiser for St. Luke’s Building Fund.

10/30/2011 - First RCIA candidate Matt Ott fully received into Catholic Church.

11/22/2011 - Strategic Planning Team established to develop a Master Plan for facilities.

12/21/2011 - Vision & Mission Statements finalized and presented to Parish.

01/05/2012 – 01/09/2012 - St. Luke the Evangelist Church featured on KWKY 1150 “Catholic Radio Parish Spotlight” program all week.

01/18/2012 - First Saturday night Mass held at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church.

01/20/2012 - New Parish LOGO design competition won by Gunawan Teguh and accepted by Organizing Committee.

01/24/2012 - New Parish LOGO unveiled.

02/09/2012 - First Pastoral Council meeting held.

03/28/2012 First 1st Reconciliation class held.

04/12/2012 - First 8th Grade Confirmation Class held.

04/22/2012 - First 2nd Grade 1st Eucharist Class held.

06/20/2012 - Architects Neumann Monson & BVH began work on Master Plan.

08/25/2012 - First Planning Session “Building Dreams” held at Ashland Ridge Elementary with architectural firm.

10/11/2012 - Contract signed to hire architectural firms of Neumann Monson Architects & BVH Architects to design the Master Plan for entire parish campus.

11/19/2012 - The St. Luke's Knights of Columbus Father Richard E. Gubbels, Council 15603 is established with Bob Lickteig as the inaugural Grand Knight.

08/2013   – Jamie McNaughton Grand Knight of St. Luke’s Father Gubbel’s Council 15603.

08/2013 – Pastoral Council Committee members consist of Vicki Berberich, Tracy Deutmeyer, Dave Enos, Tom Judge, Bob Lickteig, Bruce Mehlhop, Paul Moritz, Jim Roths, Melissa Teggatz, Steve Wieneke

09/2013 – 185 registered families at St. Luke’s.

10/2013 – Tom & Charlene Judge and John & Jean McPherson co-chairs for St. Luke’s Pasta Dinner.

05/2014 – St. Luke’s won two special awards at the Knights of Columbus State Convention; Parish Project of the Year for our pews & Father Larry Hoffmann was selected as Diocesan Chaplain of the Year.

06/2014 – 208 registered families

08/2014 – Pastoral Council members consist of Vicki Berberich, Tracy Deutmeyer, Dave Enos, Tom Judge, Bob Lickteig, Bruce Mehlhop, Paul Moritz, Jim Roths, Melissa Teggatz, Steve Wieneke. Bruce Mehlhop Grand Knight of St. Luke’s Father Gubbels Council 15603.

09/15/2014 – Tonya Eaton hired as school consultant following the resignation of Sally Nicholson.   School mascot will be the Longhorns, as St. Luke is often pictured with an ox.

12/15/2014 – Tonya Eaton officially hired as the principal who opened St. Luke’s School.

04/2015 – $22,700 was raised by having 175 trees donated and planted by parishioners.

05/2015 – Kyle Curran and crew of volunteers worked a total of 371 hours pulling CAT 5 cable in the school and offices. 

05/2015 - 06/2015 – All pews and new furnishings are installed in church.  Prison Industries constructed the ambo, altar, presiders’ chairs, and baptismal font.  The pews & kneelers were refinished.  The large quote is applied to the west wall, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind. Luke 10:27”. $1.5 million pledged by current donors as we prepare to open our doors.

06/20/2015 – Dedication Mass in the new St. Luke’s Church.  Archbishop of Dubuque Diocese, Jerome Hanus, officiates with Father Lawrence Hoffmann and Deacon Dan McGuire.  310 registered families.

08/2015 – St. Luke’s School opens with 42 students enrolled in Kindergarten – 3rd grade.  One grade will be added each year until it is K-8th grade.  Steve Wieneke is Grand Knight of St. Luke’s Knights of Columbus Father Gubbels Council 15603.

09/2015 – Pastoral Council members are Vicki Berberich, Paul Carlson, Dave Enos, Jason Hatch, Cari Higgins, Nicole Lindsey, Bruce Mehlhop, Mike Walsh, Steve Wieneke

10/2015 – St. Luke’s Pasta Dinner Co-chairpersons are Eva & Paul Moritz and Bruce & Debbie Mehlhop.  471 people served, $2,000 raised from meal and $5000 from Silent Auction.

05/2016 – The annual St. Luke’s Bike/Run/Walk takes place from OLIH to St. Luke’s; Kelly Royal is chairperson.

06/2016 – 6th Annual St. Luke’s Parish Picnic, held at Big Creek State Park.  375 registered families.

08/2016 – Parish Directory photos are taken by Life Touch.   St. Luke’s School has 2 Kindergarten classes due to great interest. The school now has K-4th grade classes.  Paul Moritz is Grand Knight of the St. Luke’s Knights of Columbus Father Gubbels Council 15603.

09/2016 – St. Luke’s adds a 3rd Mass.  Mass times are Saturday, 4:30 PM; Sunday at 8:30 & 10:30 AM.  Pastoral Council members are Jimmy Becker, Paul Carlson, Andy Cink, Teresa Bush, Vladimir daCosta, Jason Hatch, Cari Higgins, Nicole Lindsey, Steve Wieneke.

10/2016 – St. Luke’s Annual Pasta Dinner.  Chairpersons are Bruce & Debbie Mehlhop.  The dinner raised $3000 and the Silent Auction brought in $6500.

11/2016 – Deacon Fred Cornwell joins St. Luke’s Church.

04/29/2017 & 04/30/2017 – 1st Communion for forty-nine 2nd graders

05/06/2017 – Confirmation for nineteen 10th graders

05/2017 – Father Adam Westphal announced associate pastor of St. Luke’s beginning in the fall when he completes his canon law in Washington D.C.  He will also serve as canonical advisor to Bishop Pates.

07/2017 - Steve Crann is Grand Knight of the St. Luke's Knights of Columbus Father Gubbels Council 15603.

08/2017 – Pete Haack takes over as RE program director.

09/2017 – Pastoral Council Members - Tonya Althaus, Teresa Busch, Paul Carlson, Andy Cink, Jason Hatch, Cari Higgins, Mary Johnson, John McPherson, Nate Meier

07/2018 – Fr. Larry Hoffmann retired and Fr. Adam Westphal became the Pastor.

07/2018 - Jason Madison is Grand Knight of the St. Luke’s Knights of Columbus Father Gubbels Council 15603.

08/2018 - Deacon Don Shannon and Deacon Matt Halbach join St. Luke’s Parish.

08/2018 - Kindergarten-6th Grade School Enrollment: 162 Students.

10/2018 - Third Annual Green Par-Tee School Fundraiser held at Copper Creek Golf Course.

10/2018 - First Annual Oxtoberfest Parish Fundraiser held. Co-chaired by Jason Hatch and Cari Higgins.

12/2018 - St. Luke’s Parish Statistics for 2018: 434 Registered/Active Families, 58 Baptisms, 47 1st Communions, 21 Confirmations, 354 RE students.

01/2019 - St. Luke’s welcomes Julie Shannon, Parish Nurse.

01/2019 - Christ Life Program initiated at St. Luke’s. Includes “Discovering Christ” and “Following Christ” sessions.

02/2019 - The Green Gala School Fundraiser held at Courtyard, by Marriott in Ankeny.

07/2019 - St. Luke’s bids farewell to Fr. Adam Westphal. St. Luke’s welcomes Fr. Ken Halbur.

07/2019 - St. Luke’s welcomes Misty Hade as School Principal.

07/2019 - Terry Kruse is Grand Knight of the St. Luke’s Knight of Columbus Father Gubbels Council 15603.

08/2019 - Kindergarten-7th Grade School Enrollment: 177 students

08/2019 - Fourth Annual Green Par-Tee School Fundraiser held at Talons of Tuscany.

10/2019 - Second Annual Oxtoberfest Parish Fundraiser held. Co-chaired by Andy Cink and Teresa Busch.

12/2019 - St. Luke’s Parish Statistics for 2019: 497 Registered/Active Families, 66 Baptisms, 79 1st Communions, 19 Confirmations, 342 RE students.

02/2020 - The Green Gala School Fundraiser held at FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny.

03/2020 thru 06/2020 - No in-person Masses due to Covid-19. All Masses live-streamed.

06/2020 - In-person Masses resume with social distancing restrictions.

07/2020 - St. Luke’s welcomes new Associate Pastor, Fr. James Downey.

07/2020 - Todd Cogdill is Grand Knight of the St. Luke’s Knights of Columbus Father Gubbels Council 15603.

08/2020 - Kindergarten-8th Grade School Enrollment: 244 students

09/2020 - St. Luke’s welcomes David Reising as new Director of Faith Formation.

10/2020 - Fifth Annual Green Par-Tee School Fundraiser held at Woodland Hills Golf Course.

10/2020 - Virtual Oxtoberfest Parish Fundraiser held. Proceeds go towards the purchase of live-streaming equipment.

10/2020 - Groundbreaking begins for Phase II Growing Together Capital Campaign School Expansion.

12/2020 - St. Luke’s Parish Statistics for 2020: 548 Registered/Active Families, 48 Baptisms, 69 1st Communions, 27 Confirmations, 271 RE students.

02/2021 - The Green Gala School Fundraiser canceled due to Covid-19.

06/2021 - Luau at St. Luke’s School Fundraiser held to take place of Green Gala.

07/2021 - Jason Richards is Grand Knight of the St. Luke’s Knights of Columbus Father Gubbels Council 15603.

08/2021 - Father Larry Hoffman 50th Anniversary to Priesthood celebrated at St. Luke’s.

08/2021 - Phase II Growing Together Capital Campaign School Expansion and Construction is completed.

08/2021 - Kindergarten-8th Grade School Enrollment: 276 students

10/2021 - St. Luke’s Annual Oxtoberfest Parish Fundraiser held. Chaired by Shani Wahl.

12/2021 - St. Luke’s launches Online Parish Directory.

12/2021 - St. Luke’s Parish Statistics for 2021: 640 Registered/Active Families, 54 Baptisms, 85 1st Communions, 22 Confirmations, 352 RE students.

01/2022 - “Three to Thrive” Faith Sharing Program begins at St. Luke’s.

01/2022 - “Walking with Purpose” Women’s Bible Study series begins.

02/2022 - The Annual Green Gala School Fundraiser held at FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny.

04/2022 - Fr. Ken Halbur leads a group of parishioners on a Religious Pilgrimage to Italy.

07/2022 - Associate Pastor Fr. James Downey is re-assigned to Dowling Catholic High School. St. Luke’s welcomes new Associate Pastor Fr. Ryan Andrew.

07/2022 - St. Luke’s welcomes new Assistant Principal Sara Hazel.

08/2022 - Kindergarten-8th Grade School Enrollment: 305 students

08/2022 - “That Man Is You” Men’s Faith Sharing Program begins at St. Luke’s.

09/2022 - St. Luke’s Brick/Prayer Garden is completed.

10/2022 - St. Luke’s Annual Oxtoberfest Parish Fundraiser held with proceeds going towards purchase of new statue of St. Luke. Co-chaired by Jennifer Joensen and Meg Schon.

12/2022 - St. Luke’s Parish Statistics for 2022: 740 Registered/Active Families, 66 Baptisms, 94 1st Communions, 35 Confirmations, 373 RE students.

02/2023 - The Annual Green Gala School Fundraiser held at FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny.

07/2023 - St. Luke’s establishes a Sister Parish Relationship with St. Martin de Porres Parish in Zuarungu, Ghana.

07/2023 - Ryan Schon is Grand Knight of the St. Luke’s Knights of Columbus Father Gubbels Council 15603.

07/2023 - Infertility, Life-Limiting Prenatal Diagnosis, and Pregnancy & Infant Loss Ministry implemented at St. Luke’s.

08/2023 - Conquest and Challenge Youth Programs begin at St. Luke’s

10/2023 - St. Luke’s Annual Oxtoberfest Parish Fundraiser held. Co-chaired by Meg Schon and Jennifer Joensen.