St. Mark’s is Not a Place, But a People.

 In 2020, the people of St. Mark’s made a courageous and faithful decision to be a congregation without a permanent church building. This decision was motivated by a sense of mission and not simply survival. Until early 2023, we had Sunday and occasional weekday worship at the ACT II building of Abilene Community Theatre. In March 2023, we were able to get our furniture and fixtures out of storage when we moved to our own full-time space at 3301 S. 14th, Suite 15. It is located in the River Oaks Shopping Village and is easy to find, just next to the United Supermarket at S. 14th and S. Willis. Our primary outreach ministry is the Baby Room, which provides basic needs for infants, from diapers to car seats, for free. The St. Mark’s Baby Room, founded by Deacon Peggy Valentine, is located inside Grace Lutheran Church, 1202 S. Pioneer Drive. Although located at Grace, The Baby Room is still operated by St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, with Valentine as its director. Hours are 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Wednesdays. The Baby Room is closed on fifth Wednesdays. The St. Mark’s Columbarium, which houses cremains of deceased members, has been relocated to Heavenly Rest Episcopal Church, 602 Meander Street.

A Short History of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

Upon land, once part of the Mack Merchant Hash-Knife ranch, given by Jim and Jeri Skinner, St. Mark’s began as a parochial parish out of Heavenly Rest in 1960. It became a Diocesan Mission in 1961. The first nave on Vogel Street was built in 1960 and the first service was held on September 11, 1960, led by Bishop George Quarterman. The Rev. Bill Eastburn came as Vicar in 1961, and a library and offices were added to the first building around that time. A number of individuals and families from Heavenly Rest committed themselves as original members in the formation of St. Mark’s. A number of other early members came from Dyess AFB personnel. The early membership fluctuated greatly - between 40 and 90 - as Dyess personnel were relocated  during the Vietnam era. For the first several years, there were at least two confirmation services per year with around 10 people per service… soon increasing membership to over 100. In 1970, St. Mark’s became a parish – indicating that it was fully self-supporting financially - and Father Eastburn became Rector. Original ministries at St. Mark’s included Christ House daycare center, the St. Francis Food Pantry, regular folk masses, an A.A. chapter, and joint events with neighboring St. Vincent Pallotti Catholic Church.

In 1980, a new nave was completed and dedicated by Bishop Willis Henton. The old nave became the parish hall and was dedicated as Pinkerton Hall in honor of some original members. Eastburn left in 1981 and Charles Chatham became Rector in 1982. Ruby Caldwell, a founding and devoted member, was the first woman Senior Warden, elected in 1985. Father Bernardo Martinez offered Spanish masses and classes in 1989. Elizabeth Newnam, who served for a time as choirmaster, became the first woman seminarian in the Episcopal Diocese of Northwest Texas and later served as a priest in Canyon.

In 2000, St. Mark’s celebrated 40 years. A highlight was the burning of the mortgage on the nave building. During the ‘80s and ‘90s, the membership numbers – but not the dedication of the members! – fluctuated greatly and steadily declined. This reflected both national trends in all denominations but also a lack of development and access in far northwest Abilene. Chatham was the last full-time rector. Part-time ministries were led over the following years by the Rev. E.P. Dentzer, the Rev. Anne Finn, Deacon Greg Sinclair, and the Rev. Kelly Schneider. An intense parish discernment process in the early 2000s resulted in the calling of Jim Smart and Peggy Valentine to study and seek ordination as priest and deacon, respectively. In 2011, Mary Glover was appointed Priest-in-Charge and later became Rector.

Acknowledging declining numbers and expenses of maintaining and meeting in the nave, the congregation returned their worship to the original nave/parish hall over time…but permanently by 2018. Since that time, the vestry and members explored various avenues of moving forward - closing the church was never an option - finally determining that selling the Vogel Street property was the best way forward. This decision coincided with the suspension of services in March 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic. But, thankfully, after one prospective buyer backed out, another came forward almost immediately and a contract was signed in May, with a closing planned for July. One reservation from the sale of the property was an oil royalty interest that had long been held by the church. Admitting this might seem “a bit mercenary,” the decision was more truly seen as a way for St. Mark’s to maintain a permanent tie to the land that had been given to and served the people so well. Even as the virus precautions continued, St. Mark’s resumed meeting for limited services in June in order to say goodbye to the Vogel Street property. Part of this was the Service of Thanksgiving and De-consecration led by Bishop Scott Mayer on June 21st. The last service at Vogel Street was on July 5th.

As the move out approached, instead of experiencing an ending, St. Mark’s found itself spreading out around Abilene. The St. Mark’s Baby Room, started by Deacon Peggy Valentine and operating continuously for over a dozen years, is now being housed in the former nursery at Grace Lutheran Church on Pioneer Drive. The Columbarium has been given a permanent place at Heavenly Rest Episcopal Church. And, after a few years at the ACT II Theatre space on Barrow Street, the Sunday worship and daily activities of the congregation are now being held at 3301 S. 14th, Suite 15, in River Oaks Shopping Village. This current space is more permanent, but we continue the venture we began in 2020 – with joy and expectation - under the banner: “St. Mark’s: Not a Place, but a People.”