photo by: Mike Yoder/Journal-World

A church goer at St. Luke African Methodist Episcopal Church, 900 New York St., walks in a light rain Sunday, May 15, 2022. The church held its first full onsite service since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. Some of that down time was used to complete several renovations to the building built in 1910.

St. Luke African Methodist Episcopal Church, 900 New York St., held its first full onsite service since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. Some of that down time was used to complete several renovations to the building built in 1910. Sunday’s service also marked the first sermon to the full congregation by the new pastor, the Rev. Brandee Mimitzraiem. Read more about St. Luke’s return to full service here.

.

photo by: Mike Yoder/Journal-World

The Rev. Brandee Mimitzraiem, a new pastor at St. Luke African Methodist Episcopal Church, 900 New York St., preaches Sunday, May 15, 2022, during the first full service at the church since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.

photo by: Mike Yoder/Journal-World

Church members follow along during a Bible reading during Sunday services on May 15, 2022, at St. Luke African Methodist Episcopal Church, 900 New York St. Sunday’s service was the first opportunity for the entire congregation to see renovations to the church, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.

photo by: Mike Yoder/Journal-World

Congregation members at St. Luke AME, sing beneath the large stained-glass window that was rehabilitated during a major building renovation. Much of that work — including remodeling of the vestibule and the fellowship hall, tuck-pointing and structural repairs of the brick exterior and installation of a chairlift to the basement-level fellowship hall — was completed during the pandemic.

photo by: Mike Yoder/Journal-World

Church members sing together during Sunday services on May 15, 2022, at St. Luke African Methodist Episcopal Church, 900 New York St. Sunday’s service was the first opportunity for the entire congregation to attend since the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 and the completion of several renovations to the church, which was built in 1910.

photo by: Mike Yoder/Journal-World

Church members sing together during Sunday services on May 15, 2022, at St. Luke African Methodist Episcopal Church, 900 New York St. Sunday’s service was the first opportunity for the entire congregation to attend since the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 and the completion of several renovations to the church, which was built in 1910.