A GUIDE TO OUR CHURCH BUILDINGS
Built on ground given by Dr. James Thomas Maddox, the Church was dedicated on the 25th day of July 1849. Life at Saint Mark’s saw the formation of a vested choir in 1923 and the installation of a Moeller pipe organ in 1927, donated by Miss Anne Maddox. In 1949, as the “Centennial Anniversary” of Saint Mark’s approached, the entire interior of the Church was redecorated and furnished. In May 1977, during the tenure of the Rev. Charles R. McGinley, an addition to the church was built with a sacristy, choir and clergy vesting area, and storage for altar ware and worship accessories. Seating is comfortable for 80 people.
In the back of the Church…you will find shelves and racks with helpful information and resources: spiritual tracts including Forward Day by Day and information about the Episcopal Church. Children’s bulletins and large print prayer books are on the shelves along with various handouts, newcomer packets and copies of the Diocesan newspaper, The Maryland Church News.
Adjacent to the Church building on the southwest side, a bench and garden area have been established to provide a quiet, sacred place for prayer and meditation.
In 1899, Miss Anne Maddox donated the funds used to build the Rectory which formerly served as the home for several Priests. Renamed "The Walter McKinley Center” in 2001, in honor of our 7th Rector who served Saint Mark’s from 1917-1956, the building now serves as the Parish Office Center.
You will find the following in the McKinley Center
First Floor: restrooms, emergency telephone, Rector’s office, Parish Administrator’s office, Church mailboxes, kitchen, lounge used for small meetings, Bible study and counseling.
Second Floor: restroom, two youth Sunday School rooms, Treasurer’s & Parish Nurse office.
The existing Parish House was dedicated in 1955 and was built from a portion of a bequest from Mr. George Wilson. This building is handicapped accessible. Many parish activities, including Sunday School, take place in our Parish House.
You will find the following in the Parish House:
Restrooms, a large Parish Hall suitable for classes, fellowship and community events, a large kitchen, classrooms and the “Wilson Room,” a small lounge.
The Growing Tree Pre-School is located in the Parish House:
The Growing Tree Pre-School is a locally owned, fully accredited half-day pre-school for children aged two through four. One of its co-owners is a member of Saint Mark’s and the school rents space in an old, converted bowling alley. School meets September through June and offers many early childhood development programs as well as a morning snack and outdoors play on the new “ark,” donated by a church member in 2001. For information regarding program and registration, you may contact the Growing Tree directly at 301-582-0728.