A special commemoration service by Bishop of Dunedin Kelvin Wright was held on Sunday.
St Luke's vicar, the Rev Stephen White, said the church had a large presence in the community.
''The church is significant in terms of its ministry,'' he said''We have line dancing, we have counselling services ... we have a wide-ranging church community, we have people from all walks of life.''
The site of the current complex had been a place of worship for many years before its construction in 1964.
''This is the second church that has been on this site.''
Anglican worship began on the Taieri in 1878 when the Rev Stanley, of Milton, began taking regular services in Green Island and Allanton.
The first St Luke's church was a wooden construction by architects Mason and Wales built in late 1892.
''The old building was a much-beloved building. They felt it would serve them well.''
The small complex could only fit 60 people and by 1949 Mosgiel residents had had enough of not being able to squeeze in and began the New Church Building Fund.
About 15 years of fundraising, liaising with architects and cost estimations finally came to a head in 1964 when the foundation stone was laid on November 7.
The old church had cost 203 to build; the contract price for the new church was 16,780.
Six months, three tons of steel rod, 1300sq ft of concrete, 1100sq ft of glass and some 850 green tiles later saw the current St Lukes Church complete.
While a new church provided a new opportunity for worship, the diocese wanted to maintain links to the past.
''Some of the features of the old building remain,'' Mr White said.
The stained-glass windows of the old church were incorporated into the new design.
''Those were the windows at the front of the church ... so we have the link between the two buildings.''
The next big project for St Luke's is the replacement of its Unity House building.
''It needs to complement the church.''
''At the moment this month we are exploring with the diocese as to what we are going to do.''
- Alastair Lynn
