On Sunday, June 29, the congregation of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church gathered to celebrate a new chapter in the parish’s legacy of service, sustainability, and spiritual care. Their recently completed rooftop array of over two dozen panels is expected to offset 100 percent of St. Luke’s energy needs and is a shining example for the community.
Rooted in the principle of Creation Care for the Earth and climate, St. Luke’s is leading by example with a project that both reduces energy costs and reduces carbon emissions. With renewable, reliable energy flowing from its sanctuary roof, the church hopes to inspire the broader community to make similar sustainable upgrades.
St. Luke’s was founded in 1870 with a deep commitment to outreach and compassion beyond its own walls. The solar installation, energized in January 2025, furthers that mission as an act of both faith and environmentalism. The 16.4-kilowatt system, installed by Full Spectrum Solar, is projected to yield cost savings that allow the parish to reinvest in outreach programs and community partnerships.
Ribbon-Cutting, Blessings, and Sun-Kissed Celebration
At the celebration, roughly thirty congregants—children, elders, and families—gathered on the lawn to mark the milestone. Fr. Jason Lavann led a prayer themed around the sun and light before blessing the panels. Inside, a reception of cake, coffee, and watermelon welcomed attendees. Tables were adorned with cheerful, sun-printed linens, and the conversations buzzed with energy, not just about the project’s success, but about what might come next. Members chatted excitedly about adding solar to the church’s rectory and explored how they might support solar efforts in their own neighborhoods.
Making It Happen: A Patchwork of Generosity and Grants
Like the stained-glass windows in St. Luke’s sanctuary, the success of the solar project was built from many pieces, each vital to the whole. The $55,866 project was made possible through a blend of local grants, federal incentives, and parishioner generosity.
Key funding sources included:
- Solar for Good: Through support from the Couillard Solar Foundation and RENEW Wisconsin, this initiative donated $2,453 to help cover the cost of the project.
- Elective Pay (Inflation Reduction Act): St. Luke’s expects to receive a 30% tax credit of $16,881 for their clean energy project.
- Focus on Energy: Wisconsin’s clean energy incentive program awarded the church $932.
- Faith in Place: Their Green Energy Assistance Fund granted $8,000 to support installation.
- Diocese Commission on Creation Care: This Episcopal initiative provided a $1,000 grant to help reduce the church’s carbon footprint.
- Anonymous Donors: Parishioners contributed a remarkable $26,600, embodying a shared commitment to environmental stewardship and communal resilience.
Patience, Planning, and People
St. Luke was able to achieve their renewable energy dreams with the help of patience, careful planning, and the right people. The rooftop installation faced unexpected delays from their local utility, which pushed the project’s completion from Fall 2024 to January 2025. Fortunately, Full Spectrum Solar kept the church abreast of potential hurdles.
“This experience certainly taught us patience with things beyond our control, as well as the need to apply pressure at times to keep the project moving forward. Another lesson is to involve people who are genuinely interested, from a variety of backgrounds (financial, engineering, procurement, etc.) as part of a team to oversee the project,” said church member and project leader David Bernstein.
A Ripple Effect of Hope and Action
The impact of St. Luke’s solar installation extends far beyond energy bills. It has sparked interest in nearby churches, caught the eye of curious neighbors, and stirred conversation in the community.
“The impact of the project goes beyond our parish. Yard signs, installer trucks, and the actual installation process has created a buzz in the neighborhood surrounding our small parish. And, publicity in the Episcopal Diocese of Wisconsin’s weekly news post has created interest from other parishes,” said Bernstein.
The momentum isn’t slowing down– with conversations underway about adding solar to the rectory and growing curiosity about broader sustainability initiatives, St. Luke’s is just getting started.
A Brighter Path for Faith and Planet
In a country urgently calling for environmental responsibility and energy sovereignty, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church has responded not only with words but with action. By going solar, the parish honors its faith, serves its community, and helps steward climate action for future generations. As sunlight now powers both sanctuary and spirit, St. Luke’s stands as a radiant example of what’s possible when a community gathers under one roof, energized by faith and the sun alike.