14. St. Luke's Episcopal Church of Courtenay
Built: 1888Location: 5555 N. Tropical Trail, Merritt Island
St. Luke's Episcopal Church of Courtenay was formed as a congregation by the Porcher, LaRoche and Sams families. They settled on north Merritt Island after leaving Charleston, South Carolina in 1875, after the loss of their homes and plantations in the Civil War. The first services were held in 1879, and as the membership grew, services were held in a store building on the banks of the Indian River. In 1888, property was donated for the site of St. Luke's Episcopal Church. The church was built with $600 in donations. During the early years, the church did not have a vicar. Ministers from churches in Cocoa and Titusville traveled by boat to hold monthly services while members led weekly services. The Gothic Revival style wood-frame structure was built of hand-planed island pine and cypress with a steep-gabled roof and square bell tower. It is now used as a chapel for mid-week and special services.
