Generations of Faith: Judy Klor Reflects on St. Luke’s Past and Future
For parishioner Judy Klor, the recent groundbreaking for the new St. Luke’s Church was far more than a ceremony, it was the continuation of a deeply personal story rooted in family, faith and community.
Judy has been a member of St. Luke’s for 40 years, and her connection to the church spans generations. Her mother, Cecil Caldwell, was present at the first groundbreaking decades ago, when the parish community came together to build a new spiritual home.
Judy sad that her mother often shared stories about the early years, when church services were held out in the pasture. “She said that sometimes, during the service, you’d hear a cow moo,” Judy recalled with a smile.
Cecil, who passed away in 1999, attended church faithfully, often by herself. “She didn’t mind,” Judy said. “She said it gave her time to talk to God.” Her mother’s love for St. Luke’s ran deep, and Judy knows she would have been heartbroken over the loss of the church to fire but also grateful to seethe community rebuilding once again. “She dearly loved St. Luke’s and all the friends she made from the very beginning,” Judy said. “I know she’d be so happy to see that the church is still here.”
When Judy attended the recent groundbreaking, emotion came easily.“I shed a tear or two,” she said. “It brought back a lot of memories for me and for many of us who have been part of St. Luke’s for so long. The service was beautiful, it reminded us how strong our parish family really is.”
Over the years, St. Luke’s has been a constant in Judy’s life. Her two sons attended school there, and every Sunday she could be found in her regular spot—on the left side of the old church, in the middle of the pew. “I always got there early,” she said. “I sat in the middle so that, I wouldn’t have to make people step over me to sit down. It was right by the AC and where I could see the choir.”
Judy hopes to get that same spot once the new church is built.
For Judy, the new church represents hope and renewal. “This rebuild is about more than the building itself,” she said. “It’s about bringing our community back together. I’m hopeful that when the new church opens, we’ll see many parishioners return. I can’t wait to see it finished.”
From one groundbreaking to the next, through generations of faith, laughter and tears, Judy and the St. Luke’s community embody thestrength and love that continue to rebuild and renew their church home.