St. Luke’s Anglican Church and Community Centre, Palermo is a place where people living in North Oakville and Halton can come together.
Its Community Centre Coordinators, Roy Campbell and Amanda McKenzie, and its volunteers and parishioners, ensure everyone feels safe under one roof. They are constantly welcoming Oakville residents to utilize the space.
“We have over a dozen active users and partners, and we’re always looking to offer more things. We want to serve all ages and people of all backgrounds,” said Campbell.
The church was founded as a parish in 1845 and has remained a community staple ever since. But in recent years, they noticed a community space for all was needed, and opened the community centre in 2016.
Since then, they’ve had everything from fitness classes to Alzheimer’s Society support meetings, PFlag Halton meetings, and much more. They are also home to an Oakville Public Library express branch.
Their current minister, The Rev. Garfield Adams, is dedicated to community outreach and serves as the Anglican Diocese of Niagara’s Missioner to the local Chinese community. His efforts have led to a more diverse group in the space.
“We have a growing number of Chinese-Canadians coming in to St. Luke’s, and our multi-lingual group for newcomers is growing. They are finding support during their integration into the community,” said Campbell.
St. Luke’s hosts numerous cultural and social events throughout the year that everyone can enjoy.
St. Luke’s seventh annual Christmas Bazaar will take place on Saturday, November 16 from 10 am to 4 pm. The annual event brings up to 40 vendors together for the occasion. Admission is free.
“We’ll have local artisans, craftspeople, jewelry and clothing. We hope people will come and pick up unique gifts. The church will also offer a table of preserves and baked goods,” he said. There will also be a raffle for a wheelbarrow of wine.
“We aim to provide a supportive space where we can look after people’s social, economic, educational, physical and spiritual well-being. This is a place where people feel welcome, and we’re happy to have people here,” he said.
For more information about St. Luke’s, go to their website or subscribe to their newsletter here.