St. Mark's History
St. Mark's began as a dream for a Methodist church in Marple Township in 1943. Ground was purchased in 1948 to begin the church. A stone farmhouse on the property was renovated for a chapel and parsonage. The first service was held in that building on September 25, 1949. Sunday School opened on October 9, 1949, and so began St. Mark's busy years.
On January 7, 1951, ground was broken for the church building. The first service in the new sanctuary was held December 2, 1951. A Sunday School wing was added in 1958 and a new parsonage was built in 1964.
Many people in the Marple Newtown area have entered the portal of St. Mark's for one reason or another since its founding. The congregation has a long and rich history of being a center for community service. Indeed, its motto is
"a church with a ministry of caring."
As demographics changed, the church found a niche in community involvement and ministry. It provided "seed money" and leadership for the founding of the Ecumenical Coalition of Food Centers of Delaware County, Inc. (now known as DIFAN [DelCo Interfaith Food Asistance Network] a coalition of 11 centers in Delaware County) providing over 500,000 meals a year to needy families.
While its members participate in Sunday Worship, Sunday School, Bible studies, and a variety of committees and task groups while ministering to each others needs, St. Mark's hearts, minds, and doors remain open to the community-at-large.
The Food Center continues its ministry, embracing the willing hearts and hands of volunteers from several local churches and synagogues and the generosity of area businesses. Those same volunteers welcome youth organizations from public and parochial schools in serving the Food Center and preparing sandwiches for the homeless.
In a rapidly changing world, St. Mark's will continue to leave its mark on the community and add to its rich history by continuing to meet the needs of the local community as those needs are identified.
On January 7, 1951, ground was broken for the church building. The first service in the new sanctuary was held December 2, 1951. A Sunday School wing was added in 1958 and a new parsonage was built in 1964.
Many people in the Marple Newtown area have entered the portal of St. Mark's for one reason or another since its founding. The congregation has a long and rich history of being a center for community service. Indeed, its motto is
"a church with a ministry of caring."
As demographics changed, the church found a niche in community involvement and ministry. It provided "seed money" and leadership for the founding of the Ecumenical Coalition of Food Centers of Delaware County, Inc. (now known as DIFAN [DelCo Interfaith Food Asistance Network] a coalition of 11 centers in Delaware County) providing over 500,000 meals a year to needy families.
While its members participate in Sunday Worship, Sunday School, Bible studies, and a variety of committees and task groups while ministering to each others needs, St. Mark's hearts, minds, and doors remain open to the community-at-large.
The Food Center continues its ministry, embracing the willing hearts and hands of volunteers from several local churches and synagogues and the generosity of area businesses. Those same volunteers welcome youth organizations from public and parochial schools in serving the Food Center and preparing sandwiches for the homeless.
In a rapidly changing world, St. Mark's will continue to leave its mark on the community and add to its rich history by continuing to meet the needs of the local community as those needs are identified.