The church's history dates back to the mid-19th century and the current structure—located in Memphis' Central Gardens Historic Preservation District at 1720 Peabody Avenue—was constructed in 1912.

The history of Grace-St. Lukes dates back to the mid-19th century with the establishment of Grace Church in a rented room in what was then on the eastern outskirts of the city, now Midtown Memphis.

Ann Carriere was ordained deacon at Grace-St. Luke's on July 12, 1981, by Bishop Fred Gates in a nave packed with parishioners, ecumenical Memphis clergy, and community members who had followed the news in the media.

[8] Carriere served in the supportive community at Grace-St. Luke's -- and out of the public eye where her role caused considerable controversy—and was ordained priest there in 1982.

That year, one of the benefactors of Grace Church, Mrs. W. A. Gage, met a representative of the Tiffany Glass Company at the Paris Exposition.