In 1883, when this area was still a roundup point on the cattle range, German Lutheran families began settling in the Salt Creek Valley. The following year, William Bernhardt received a Bible, prayer book, and devotional book, or Hauspostille, from a visiting cousin, and the families used these books to conduct religious services in their rock and log cabins. Henry Kunkel, the pioneering son of a large family from Posen, Germany, acted as leader, and they also started a Sunday School. In 1886, Pastor Bartelo of Hamilton County conducted the first formal service. Over the years, several Lutheran pastors led worship services for the fellowship. In 1896, the Lutheran Board of Missions assigned Pastor F.M. Rudi to this field, and on Reformation Day, October 31, 1897, Pastor Rudi officially organized St. Luke Lutheran Church. The members met in the Terrapin School Building until 1914, when a church house was constructed near their homes at a site two miles northwest of Olney. A second structure was built there in 1926. As many members moved into Olney, the congregation relocated into town in 1967 and built its present structure.