history and
architecture
Architecture
St. Mark's is an architectural gem, featuring an interior designed in full
by Tiffany Studios of New York.
The building is Italian Romanesque in style, designed in the pattern of the early Christian Basillica. Erected in 1898, it was dedicated on November 6.
Architect: Joseph Evans Sperry
Builders: Henry Smith & Sons
Decorators: Tiffany Studios of New York City; design work by M. Rene de Quelen
The altar, lectern, pulpit, and baptismal font are of Rubio marble and inlaid with gold and mother-of-pearl, executed by J. & R. Lamb of New York City.
The decorative scheme is Byzantine.
A mosaic lion in the church narthex is dedicated to the members and friends of St. Mark’s lost to the HIV/AIDS crisis. The artist is Rick Shelly.
History
Founded in 1860, St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church has a long history in the city of Baltimore. Originally located on Eutaw street, St. Mark's focused on developing a thriving Sunday School.
As the area around the church became more commercial, the church sought a new location more convenient to the majority of members and a building that would support their growing Sunday School. Church members and businessman Waldo Newcomer played a significant role in selecting the new location and the style of the building. The new building, designed by Baltimore architect Joseph Evans Sperry, was dedicated in November, 1898.
Through World War II, St. Mark's grew to some 800 communing members and hosted nearly 400 children for weekly Sunday School. The 1980's brought renewal with an emphasis on liturgy, music, outreach, and ecumenism. Our adoption of a 1985 statement welcoming gay and lesbian persons was an important step toward becoming a safe harbor for LGBTQ Christians.
In 2006 we dedicated a new organ built by Patrick Murphy. In 2009 the church exterior achieved Baltimore City historic landmark status. In January, 2013, our interior became the first church interior to achieve city historic landmark status.
More than 150 years after our founding, St. Mark's continues to glorify God through liturgy and music and build deep relationships with God's people in our neighborhood.
