St Mark's History

In 1914, St. Columba’s Mission was begun by a small group of worshipers in a private home on Ortega Point as an outgrowth of St. John’s Parish in downtown Jacksonville. In 1919, the first services were held near the present site in a former Army building, with the Reverend Douglas B. Leatherbury serving as priest-in-charge. In 1922, the mission was fully organized as a parish and named St. Mark’s. The Reverend Dr. Leatherbury was named as the first rector.

The location at the corner of Oxford Avenue and Ortega Boulevard was purchased in 1923. The cornerstone of the present church building was dedicated in September 1942. During the past 84 years, growth and construction have continued with the building of the church parish hall in 1953, church expansion in 1975, and the renovation of the parish hall and other buildings in 1987.

St. Mark’s Episcopal Day School was established as an outreach ministry of the parish in 1970. In 1990, to meet the needs of a growing parish, the church underwent major renovation and expansion. Construction in 1994 added a new 2000 square foot youth center. In 1997, Grace House was dedicated as a pastoral care, hospitality and resource center. In 1998, an Early Learning Center was completed which added dedicated church nursery space, classrooms for school pre-kindergarten and extended day programs and a common room/chapel.

From its small beginnings 89 years ago, St. Mark's has grown to include 2,098 communicants and 990 families. The total membership breaks down as follows:

• 0-18 years - 25%
• 19-40 years - 26%
• 41-65 years - 32%
• over 65 years - 17%