Weddings at
St Luke's

COVID NOTICE:  Due to the ongoing pandemic, only private weddings are available.  A private wedding is limited to the officiant, the couple, and two witnesses if desired.  When it is safe to do so, a Renewal of Vows in the presence of family and friends may be done at a later date in 2021.  For private weddings, all participants must wear masks covering nose and mouth; the couple may remove theirs for vows and kiss.

 A wedding is a union of two people seeking to make a commitment to one another.   For many centuries, women were seen as property, owned by their father until such time as they were married; the wedding ceremony was essentially a transfer of ownership.  The traditional question, "Who gives this woman to be married to this man?" -- normally answered by the father -- is a vestige of this.

It is the philosophy of St Luke's that ALL are created equal, and that there is no inequality between the sexes.  Thus, the question is asked, "Who presents these two people to be married to each other?"  A joyous celebration of love (as it should be!), NOT a transfer  of ownership!! 

St Luke's also offers Solemnisation of Marriage for those who have had a civil wedding ceremony and wish to solemnise their marriage in a religious service, with or without Holy Communion.    Divorce is not considered an impediment to remarriage.  St Luke's also firmly supports marriage equality.

I much prefer to officiate small, private wedding ceremonies.  Marriage ceremonies may be conducted in your home or garden, in the Vicarage parlour or garden, or in another location that is mutually agreed upon.   The only requirement is that the location be reasonably handicapped accessible.  The ceremony may be a traditional or contemporary religious one, or humanist ("spiritual but not religious").     If you would like a religious ceremony, you may also consider having Holy Communion as part of your ceremony. 

I am available throughout Fairfield County, as well as adjacent portions of Licking, Perry, Hocking, and Pickaway counties.  For other areas, please feel free to contact me about availability.

The former Mt. Zion United Brethren Church (a.k.a. "Huddle Church") which is now located at the historic village at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds has often been been used by couples for small weddings.   This small chapel (pictured left) was built in 1858 and still has its original divided semi-box pews and chandeliers, as may be seen in the images below.  Facilities are limited, and the building is unheated.  There are no restroom facilities in the building, nor is the building wheelchair accessible.

WEDDING WIRE

Decidio

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Huddle Church, looking toward the front

Huddle Church, toward rear

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DRUMM CHURCH
A church building that St Luke's has received permission to use for weddings is the historic 1890 Drumm's Church, located a few miles north of nearby Rushville, Ohio.  Drumm Church is handicapped accessible, and has a small basement area with a small kitchen for receptions.  Though the church is heated in the winter, there is no air conditioning for summer.  The church has a piano and an Allen organ.  There is adequate parking available.

Drumm  Church and adjacent Drumm Cemetery  were established in the early 1800s by Johann Peter Drumm, a very distant relation (by marriage) to St Luke's vicar.  The church is active, and is still very much a "family church" belonging to the descendants of the Drumm family.  The first church was a log building built in the early 1800s.  Underneath the current sanctuary's carpeting is the original wood floor from the first church building.

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Drumm Church

Altar of Drumm Church

Interior of Drumm Church

Undercroft