Soon after its founding in 1932, St. Mark's was served on an alternating basis by two American Lutheran Church pastors from New York City. On July 10, 1932, the Reverend R. W. Schlachter was installed as the first pastor of St. Mark's Church, serving as pastor until April, 1940. On September 1, 1940, the Rev. C. G. H. Menering was installed as the second pastor of St. Mark's and served until February 1946.
The first constitution was considered and adopted in March 1933. Lenten services were begun in 1933 and were held in the homes of members. The first annual church picnic was held on July 30, 1933, and yearly thereafter at the Becraft Lodge picnic grounds, except during 1940-1942. The Mission Society began in 1935 and continued until 1943. Lenten services, held in the homes of members, were begun in 1933.
In February, 1941, the congregation was incorporated and subsequently purchased the building site on which the chapel now stands. On March 30, 1942, ground was broken and work began. The cornerstone was laid on June 16, 1942. In 1942, we held our first picnic at Viebrock's Grove. In spring, 1944, the lawn was laid and trees planted. In October, 1944, the Ladies Aide was organized.
On April 17, 1946, the Rev. A. W. Zell was installed as pastor and served until his retirement in July, 1949. On April 11, 1947, the Luther League was established. On July 27, 1947, the last note was paid off and a note burning service held. On July 6, 1949, a building committee for building a parsonage was formed.
On June 11, 1950, the Rev. Wilhelm Baer was installed as pastor. During the summer of 1950, work began on the parsonage, and it was completed and dedicated on November 12, 1950. During 1956, our first Spiritual Life Mission was held, with Pastor Walck as missioner. In 1956, the basement was finished, heavier electrical cable installed, painting done, and acoustical tile installed.
In 1957, a new electronic organ was purchased. In 1958, a partial parking lot was prepared on the north side of the church.
During 1958, Pastor Baer requested and was given permission to replace a missionary in Palau, Micronesian Islands. A call was sent to the Rev. A. F. G. Daechsel, who accepted and was installed on December 7, 1958.
The final indebtedness on the parsonage having been paid off, a note burning service was held on January 25, 1959. Our first Vacation Bible School was held in 1959. German language services were discontinued, also in 1959.
In December, 1960, a call was extended to Pastor Wilhelm Baer, and he accepted the call and was installed on January 22, 1961. Work on an addition to the sanctuary was begun in October, 1966, and completed in early 1967, with the dedication held on June 25, 1967. On May 15, 1969, Pastor Baer retired after 37 years of active ministry in the mission field and in the United States.
In June, 1969, the Rev. Michael Adams became pastor and served until May, 1971. Between May, 1971, and July, 1974, St. Mark's was served by Pastors Haviar, Redal, Swenson, and intern Marcus Mueller. In July, 1974, the Rev. Marcus Mueller was installed as pastor.
On September 10, 1973, St. Mark's Lutheran Church was officially dissolved, a new constitution made, and all assets turned over to the newly incorporated independent St. Mark's 2nd Evangelical Lutheran Church, the first official meeting of which being held on December 10, 1973.
An Allan Model 200 Organ was purchased in November, 1976. In 1977, the congregation joined the Evangelical Lutheran Federation. In October, 1978, Pastor Mueller left, having been called to a congregation in Ohio. Pastor R. M. Hendricks served as interim pastor from December, 1978, through March, 1979. In April, 1979, the Rev. Raymond Hendricks accepted a call and was installed on May 27, 1979. He served until he was called home by God in September, 1982. The Rev. R. M. Hendricks was called and installed on March 20, 1983, and served until his retirement on July 12, 1989.
The Rev. Stanley Webster accepted a call and was installed as pastor in January, 1990, and served our congregation until accepting a call to a hospital chaplaincy in May, 2005. He served as supply pastor until August, 2006.
During the year 2000, St. Mark's was officially accepted into membership in the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, the Evangelical Lutheran Federation having been disbanded in 1998.
On August 20, 2006, the newly ordained Rev. Roy W. Minnix III was installed as our new pastor by the LCMS Atlantic District president, the Rev. Dr. David Benke.
In December, 2007, a new Allan Organ was installed.
Over the years, St. Mark's has been active in our community, has served the needs of many missions, both local and national, has had an active Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, Food Pantry Mission Outreach, Youth and Adult Ministries, and other outreaches to our community.
What began as a small mission church meeting in a local school has grown into a dedicated Evangelical Lutheran Church, based completely on God's Holy Word and Sacraments, constantly nurtured and led by the Holy Spirit to fulfill our mission to gather, renew, and strengthen disciples for Christ.
