BATON ROUGE — Two years after flames tore through St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, church leaders say the focus is no longer on what was lost, but on what lies ahead.
Feb. 17 marks the second anniversary of the fire that destroyed much of the church campus. For the congregation, the date now carries a different meaning.
“It’s hard to believe,” said Father Bryan Owen, director of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. “Basically, what we’ve been doing the last couple of years is something I’ve never done before, and I hope I don’t ever have to again.”
From devastation to determination
Father Bryan has served at St. Luke’s for more than 12 years. He was asleep with his phone on “do not disturb” when the fire broke out, missing calls, texts, and even people stopping by his home to alert him. It took the FBI to finally wake him around 4:30 a.m.
“I was like, ‘What is going on?’” he told UWK in 2024. “I got up, and he told me what was happening. We live real close, and I could smell the fire.”
A processional cross was recovered. The acolytes carry it to lead people into the church for worship. 
St. Luke’s Episcopal plans to rebuild after massive fire destroyed the church on Saturday February 17. Father Bryan Owen said the ashes were still smoldering days after the fire was put out. Father Bryan Owen wears the petit point stole his mother handmade for him as a gift for his ordination into preisthood 20 years ago. St. Luke’s Episcopal plans to rebuild the church located on Goodwood Boulevard in Baton Rouge. A massive fire destroyed St. Luke’s Episcopal Church on Saturday, February 17, 2024. Father Bryan Owen says there were still hotspots days after fire destroyed the church.
While the fire was ruled accidental and no one was injured, investigators determined the church building itself was a total loss. Firefighters were able to prevent the flames from spreading to the adjacent school.
In the weeks that followed, members salvaged what they could. Despite losing so much, Owen said the church is thankful for the treasured items recovered, including investments stored in a room that did not burn, processional crosses used in worship, and a petit point stole made by his mother in honor of his ordination 20 years ago.
St. Luke’s columbarium, which houses the cremated remains of loved ones, was also protected. The structure is fireproof, waterproof, and designed to withstand disasters.
Progress at St. Luke’s: ‘A lot of stuff happening this year’
Rebuilding, Owen said, has proven far more complex than many initially expected.
“There’s a lot more that is involved in trying to plan for building a church,” he said. “If we were just building an office, we would have completed everything a long time ago.”
Church leaders formed a building committee, interviewed architectural firms, and selected a studio specializing in church design. “We were able to hit the goal that we wanted, which was to have continuity with what we lost, but making some changes that will enhance the building and the grounds.”
Now, for the first time since the fire, visible progress is underway.
“It’s taken longer than everybody wanted to,” Owen said. “But on the other hand, it’s been an extraordinary journey that’s brought us all closer together.”
Concrete work is expected soon, marking the start of a major construction phase. “There’s just going to be a lot of stuff happening this year with construction,” Owen said.
Among the most noticeable changes will be the church’s exterior. Owen said the building that burned two years ago was not originally constructed as a church, and the committee wanted the new structure to clearly reflect its purpose.
“When you see that building from the outside, you may not know what denomination it is, but it’ll be unmistakable that it’s a church building,” Owen said.
Inside, parishioners will find familiar elements paired with updates designed to create a brighter, more welcoming space.
“It’s not going to be as dark inside,” Owen said. “It’s going to be a little lighter, more light will come in, and I think that’s going to just give it a really even more inviting and welcoming feel to it.
St. Luke’s: More than a building
Aerial rendering of the future St. Luke’s Episcopal Church campus in Baton Rouge, illustrating the full layout of the rebuilt sanctuary, courtyards, walkways, and parking areas. (St. Luke’s) Rendering of widened sidewalks and a covered walkway at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, highlighting accessibility improvements included in the Baton Rouge church’s rebuilding plans. (St. Luke’s) Rendering of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church rebuilding plans in Baton Rouge, illustrating new courtyards, improved pedestrian flow, and upgraded exterior features nearly one year after the devastating fire. Rendering of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church rebuilding plans in Baton Rouge, illustrating new courtyards, improved pedestrian flow, and upgraded exterior features nearly one year after the devastating fire. Rendering of the rebuilt sanctuary nave at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, highlighting wood trusses, stained glass windows, and the central altar planned for the Baton Rouge church following the fire. (St. Luke’s) Architectural rendering showing the interior sanctuary of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Baton Rouge, with restored pews, vaulted ceilings, and traditional design elements included in the rebuilding plans. (St. Luke’s) Rendering of the future parish hall at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Baton Rouge, showing a redesigned interior space intended for fellowship gatherings, church events, and community use as part of the rebuilding project. (St. Luke’s) One Year After Devastating Fire, St. Luke’s Reveals Rebuilding Plans
Owen said the experience has reshaped how many members view the church itself.
“There have been many, many blessings that have come out of what we’ve been through,” he said. “I think it strengthened us as a faith family.”
Church leaders say the rebuilding project positions St. Luke’s for generations to come.
“We’ve really turned a definitive corner,” Owen said. “It’s a new chapter. We’re not stuck in the past. We’re moving into a very wonderful new future.”
St. Luke’s has launched a dedicated webpage to document progress, provide updates, and share design details with the congregation.
The targeted completition for the church is Christmas 2026.
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