St. Mark Church History
On November 6, 1931, a small group of people holding a prayer meeting decided to start a church. With great vision and hope, this group called the Reverend J. S. Stokes as their Pastor, purchased land on 11th Street North, and named their humble gathering St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church.
In 1932, the Reverend James Atkinson was called as St. Mark’s second Pastor, and it was under his direction that the first Sunday School was organized, as well as the church’s first choir, and so the construction of the first sanctuary.
St. Mark’s third Pastor, the Reverend S. C. Caldwell was called in October 1939. He served ten years. In 1949, after Rev. Caldwell leaves, Reverend Clemmons serves as Supply pastor.
With the calling of the Reverend W. J. Glover in November 1949, St. Mark experienced tremendous growth in the following decades; demolishing and re-constructing a new Edifice on 11th Street North; adding a Parsonage, Fellowship Hall, and Marquee, as well as the laying of the Cornerstone. Also under his leadership many of our current ministries were implemented, and St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church became a pillar of the community. Reverend W. J. Glover served as Pastor of this great church for more 38 years.
During the illness and demise of the Rev. W. J. Glover in 1988, we were under the divine leadership of Reverend Isaac McNeal, as, St. Mark began its search for a new Pastor. The Reverend David Thompson Jr. was installed as our fifth pastor on February 16, 1989. Under his leadership four ministers were licensed and ordained, as well as 2 additional Deacons. Our new edifice was constructed at 1301 37th Street South and the Lord blessed us to march in on Sunday, March 24, 1991. Formal “Dedication” Services were held April 21-28, 1991.
Once again Rev. Isaac McNeal is called to oversee St. Mark, when Rev. Thompson leaves in September 1994. During this time St. Mark ordained two ministers, Revered Brian K. Brown and the late Reverend John Rogers on December 18, 1994. And, in 1996 Reverend Isaac McNeal is named Pastor Emeritus with the calling of our current pastor, Reverend Brian K. Brown.
Our leader, The Rev. Brian K. Brown, was installed as St. Mark’s sixth Pastor on July 30, 1995. Under his leadership, new church vans were purchased to facilitate transporting our members to services. In May of 1996 a new marquee was installed to highlight our upcoming services and church events, and on May 24, 2001, a double wide utility shed (1,600-square feet) was constructed.
On March 6, 2005, the groundbreaking ceremony took place for the New Reverend W. J. Glover Education Wing, and on May 28, 2006 our long awaited vision was realized, and dedication services for the opening of the new facilities complete with Administrative offices, conference room, an education wing with 8 classrooms and a computer lab and houses the Reverend Isaac McNeal Library was held.
Under the leadership of Pastor Brown, St. Mark has continued to grow in leaps and bounds. Four Ministers were licensed; Minister Thomas Whitlock, the late Minister Charles Williams, the late Minister Demetrius Perkins, and Minister Anthony Miffin, and eight new Trustees were added to the Board. In December 2004 Pastor Brown ordained six Deacons and added two additional Deacons. On February 10, 2013 another seven Deacons were ordained and Minister Reginald Rhett was welcomed aboard.
The idea of Reverend Brian Brown following the leading of the Holy Spirit, Vision 2017 began immediately after the 2012 Church Anniversary. All funds given towards the Anniversary were applied to the principal of the mortgage and the membership was asked to give toward Debt Reduction. On April 1, 2018, the Lord blessed us to make the final payment on our mortgage. A Mortgage burning ceremony was held in conjunction with the celebration of our 87th Church Anniversary; October 21, 2018, with Family and Friends. To God be the Glory!!!
