About St. Luke · Ellington, Connecticut
St. Luke Parish is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Norwich serving the Town of Ellington, Connecticut, located at 141 Maple Street. Established in 1961 by Bishop Vincent J. Hines and dedicated on December 23, 1962, the parish has grown from an original community of 400 families to roughly 780 families today. Under Pastor Fr. George Villamthanam and Parochial Vicar Fr. Bijoy Joseph, the parish ministers through daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, a Faith Formation program from preschool through Confirmation, an active Music Ministry, and a network of outreach organizations.
- Established
- 1961
- Patron
- St. Luke
- Rector
- Fr. George Villamthanam
- Diocese
- Diocese of Norwich
Why belong here
St. Luke is a friendly, multigenerational parish where many founding families still worship alongside newcomers — a community of roughly 780 households that takes pride in its 'young church with a very rich history.' Daily and weekend Mass, weekday Eucharistic Adoration, and a structured Faith Formation pathway from preschool through Confirmation make it easy to grow spiritually at every stage of life. Active Music Ministry, a thriving youth program, a Ladies' Guild, a Knights of Columbus council, and outreach efforts such as the Christmas Giving Tree and food drives give parishioners many ways to put faith into action close to home.
Mass times at St. Luke
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays, 4:15–4:45 p.m.
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Exposition & Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament — every Tuesday, 8:30–9:30 a.m.
- Exposition & Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament — First Thursday of the month, 7:00–8:00 p.m.
Welcome & Mission
St. Luke Parish greets visitors with the words, 'Welcome to our Parish! Welcome to our Community! Welcome to our Family!' Its mission statement commits the community to providing a worshipful environment that stimulates spiritual growth of every individual, to sacrificial giving of time, talent, and treasure, to Christian formation for children, youth, and adults, and to promoting the virtues of Justice, Peace, and Human Dignity — especially addressing injustice experienced by women and minorities, countering violence, and fostering the sacredness of human life from conception to the grave.
History of St. Luke Parish
St. Luke Parish was established on May 11, 1961 by Bishop Vincent J. Hines and dedicated on December 23, 1962. The church, designed by architect Arthur E. Thomas and built for $300,000, was preceded by worship in the Ellington High School auditorium. From an original 400 families the parish has grown to roughly 780 families and is now served by two priests and two deacons, marking the parish as 'a relatively young church with a very rich history.'
- Announced May 11, 1961 by Bishop Vincent J. Hines
- Dedicated December 23, 1962
- First pastor: Rev. Maurice F. Sullivan
- 25th anniversary celebrated April 13, 1986
- 40th anniversary celebrated October 6, 2001
Pastoral Leadership
The parish has been led, in succession, by Reverends Maurice Sullivan, John Honan, Bernard McGurk, Norbert Belliveau, Joseph Ricard, Louis Galluppi, and Thomas Plathottam, and is currently served by Pastor Fr. George Villamthanam and Parochial Vicar Fr. Bijoy Joseph, together with Deacon Frank Hann.
- Fr. George Villamthanam — Pastor
- Fr. Bijoy Joseph — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Frank Hann
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Faith Formation program at St. Luke nurtures prayer and Catholic knowledge throughout the year. Monthly Preschool Faith Formation serves children ages 3–5, while weekly K–Grade 10 classes support older children and teens. The parish emphasizes that parents are the primary teachers of the faith, with volunteer catechists reinforcing what is taught at home, and regularly encourages family attendance at Sunday Mass to strengthen that connection. Sacramental preparation is woven into the grade-level curriculum, and family involvement is highlighted in the preparation and celebration of these milestones.
- Preschool Faith Formation (ages 3–5, monthly)
- Kindergarten through Grade 10 weekly classes
- First Reconciliation preparation in Grade 2
- First Holy Communion preparation in Grade 3
- Confirmation — two-year program in Grades 9 & 10
- 20 required service hours for Confirmation (10 in Grade 8, 10 in Grade 9)
- Catechetical Leader: Mrs. Kim Bocchino — [email protected] / (860) 875-4951
Youth Ministry
The parish employs a Youth Minister and runs ongoing activities for teens, including seasonal events such as a Palm Sunday Easter Egg Hunt and a Lenten Retreat.
- Youth Minister: Brigid Zarcaro
- Lenten Retreat
- Palm Sunday Easter Egg Hunt
Music Ministry
St. Luke's Music Ministry provides music for the Saturday Vigil and Sunday 10:30 a.m. Masses, Holy Days, Confirmation, First Eucharist, and other special celebrations. The Adult Choir leads song twice monthly at the Saturday Vigil and sings at Christmas, Easter, and major Holy Days, rehearsing on Wednesday evenings. The choir welcomes new members and rehearses a varied repertoire from traditional hymns to contemporary anthems.
- Adult Choir Director: Elana Owens — [email protected] / (860) 798-5818
- Accompanists: Elana Owens, Melissa Sullivan, Tiffany Tran
- Rehearsals: Wednesday evenings
- Sings for Christmas, Easter, Holy Days, Confirmation, First Eucharist
Liturgy, Office & Support Staff
Parish operations are supported by a Liturgy Committee and a small office staff that handles the parish's day-to-day business and sacramental records.
- Liturgy Committee
- Secretary: Tricia Schuiten
- Bookkeeper: Cathy Peck
- Sextons: Connie Colosimo, Doug Piccoli
- Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Parish Center & Facilities
The Parish Center was dedicated on May 20, 2006, after a multi-year capital campaign that ultimately raised $1.4 million from parishioners. The surplus funded an annual Scholarship Program awarding three $1,000 scholarships to Catholic students each year. Outside the church, the campus features a 15th Station of the Cross and a Statue of the Resurrection (the 'Statue of Christian Liberty'), both added under Fr. Tom's pastorate. Among many post-2000 improvements: new side altars, boiler, painting, sound system, air conditioning, pew cushions and kneelers, a church-hall floor, a new church sign, refreshed landscaping, an expanded parking lot, outside Stations of the Cross, statues of saints, and a rectory garage. The rectory itself was built in 1914 and purchased by the Diocese from the Wendhiser family.
- Parish Center dedicated May 20, 2006
- Capital campaign goal: $1.3M; final total raised: $1,400,000
- Annual Scholarship Program — three $1,000 scholarships
- 15th Station of the Cross (Frank Dever bequest)
- Statue of Christian Liberty (Statue of the Resurrection)
Visit, Contact & Office Information
Parishioners and visitors can reach St. Luke by phone, fax, email, or in person during posted office hours. The church office is located in the rectory on Maple Street, and the Faith Formation Office operates next door with its own phone line and email.
- Parish phone: (860) 875-8552
- Fax: (860) 872-6548
- Email: [email protected]
- Faith Formation Office: (860) 875-4951 / [email protected]
- Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Mailing address: P.O. Box 246, Ellington CT 06029
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Reverend Maurice F. Sullivan1962–
Founding pastor; led the parish from its 1961 announcement and 1962 dedication through its earliest years.
- Reverend John Honan
Listed among the pastors who led the parish through its growth.
- Reverend Bernard McGurk
Successor pastor.
- Reverend Norbert Belliveau
Successor pastor.
- Reverend Joseph Ricard
Successor pastor.
- Reverend Louis Galluppi
Successor pastor.
- Reverend Thomas Plathottam
Successor pastor during the era of the Parish Center campaign and construction.
- Fr. George Villamthanam
Current pastor.