The vestry had growing secular authority over the parish with the relief of the poor its main responsibility.
It was incorporated in 1855 as an administrative vestry within the Metropolitan Board of Works area, with local government and sanitary rights and responsibilities added over time.
A local act in 1782[a] enabled the vestry to build a new workhouse and offices just over the boundary in the parish of St Leonard Shoreditch.
The St Luke's Vestry was incorporated as local government body and appointed one member to the Metropolitan Board of Works.
[5] St Luke's Vestry was abolished by the London Government Act 1899 with the first election to the replacement Finsbury Metropolitan Borough Council taking place on 1 November 1900.