Our Story
Saint Mark’s Lutheran Church was organized in October of 1952 with 72 charter members meeting in the Cold Springs White Chapel. White Chapel’s history began in 1861, when it was built at a cost of $1400 on the corner of Doyle and Cold Springs Roads on land donated by George White. White had settled in the area in 1811. In the early days two wood burning stoves heated the building and outside hitching posts were available for horses. The chapel was non-denominational and hosted weekly Sunday afternoon services usually supplied by Methodist ministers from Liverpool, Baldwinsville or students from Syracuse University.
In 1951, the Board of American Missions of the United Lutheran Church asked to
St. Mark’s Lutheran to lease the church building. St. Mark’s was given a ten year lease and then a ninety-nine year lease with no rental payment for use of the chapel.
The first service of Saint Mark’s was held at White Chapel on September 9, 1951, with an attendance of about 75. The Reverend John Roberts was the mission developer. Ruth Coon was the organist and choir director.
After Pastor Roberts left in 1953, the Reverends Wallace Kemp and Robert Doxey served as part time pastors. In 1959, an educational wing was added to the building and a new heating system and new windows were installed.
1961 brought:
Celebration of the 100th anniversary of White Chapel.
Calling of the Reverend James Blair as the first full time pastor.
Purchase of a parsonage on Gettman Drive.
The congregation of Saint Mark’s made the commitment to build a new church building on its present site in January 1965. The groundbreaking ceremony for the first of the 3 planned units was held on October 31, 1965.
The church opened on June 12, 1966, to a capacity group.
As the sixties drew to a close, Saint Mark’s saw the departure of Pastor Blair in November 1967, and the installation of the Reverend George Mayer on August 1, 1968. Pastor Mayer served until December 1970, when he became director of the Ecumenical Camp Association and moved to Vanderkamp.
The Reverend Nelson’ Gaetz was installed as pastor of Saint Mark’s on September 12, 1971. During the `70′s the congregation reached out to the community, offering the use of the building to many outside groups and in 1972 authorized the organization of a nursery school. Nancy Mykel was the first director.
Due to continued growth several events of note took place in 1973:
Support staff to the pastor
James Karens, a summer intern from Gettysburg Seminary
Jim Anslow, first deacon at Saint Mark’s
A need for more space in 1977, resulted in further addition to the parish hall. This addition was under construction at the time of the 25th Anniversary Celebration.
As the ’70′s ended Pastor Gaetz accepted a call to Atonement Lutheran Church in Syracuse. James Anslow, Deacon, and Pastor Sylvester Bader provided interim leadership during the search for a new pastor.
On October 27, 1980, the Reverend David Roppel was installed as pastor of Saint Mark’s.
Early in 1981 Saint Mark’s moved from mission status to a self-supporting congregation.
Some other happenings of the late 1980′s were:
The 35th Anniversary of Saint Mark’s in 1987, which was celebrated with Bishop Edward Perry preaching at the worship service.
The Lutheran Church in America became part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in 1988, and therefore Saint Mark’s became part of the ELCA.
The 1990′s was a time of growth in both numbers and enthusiasm at Saint Mark’s. Worship attendance was up nearly 26% since 1989. At the time of the 40th Anniversary, Saint Mark’s has 365 baptized members.
St. Mark’s celebrated it’s 40th Anniversary in 1992.
In 1996 St. Mark’s took a risk and built a new worship space. Pastor David Roppel left St. Mark’s and became and intentional intrum pastor in 1999.
Pastor Ken Blyth came to St. Mark’s in 2000.
St. Mark’s celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2002
Pastor Ken Blyth took a new call in Flordia in 2007.
Pastor Joe McGarry was called to St. Mark’s on July 15, 2008 and was Ordained on August 1, 2008.