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2009 marks the 150th anniversary of St. Mark’s as a worshipping congregation. May God grant us the grace and strength to continue giving God all honour, glory and praise for another 150 years!
November of 2008 saw the start of the year long celebration begin with bulletin inserts. These inserts contained historical facts, fond family memories, information about Sunday School, and explanations for some of the traditions we have here at St. Marks. This has become a welcomed addition to our bulletin and often is what people seek out to read first once at church. A selection of some of the bulletin inserts can be read below, a fact a week for a complete year.
In October 2009 we capped off our year long celebration with a "Giving Back" dinner that was catered to so all members of the congregation could enjoy the meal. There was no cost for the dinner and many of our congregation, past ministers and staff were able to attend. Afterwards we celebrated with a wonderful evening of song and stories. A free will offering was collected to support the West Side Food Bank. Some who attended commented that it was like a home coming, a testament to the wonderful church family we have here at St. Mark's.
Two of St. Mark’s former church buildings as they look today:
Torch of Truth Tabernacle
Lancaster Baptist Church
125th Anniversary newspaper article
150th Anniversary newspaper article
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Written by Jennifer MacNeill
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In the summer, the kids could be found “rolling” the clay tennis courts that the church owned and the picnics were held up river at Crystal Beach. The SS Purdy provided the transportation for a day of fun! Truly the event of the year!
submitted by Evelyn Small
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Written by Jennifer MacNeill
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There was always lots of exercise to be had at St. Mark’s. Did you know the organ used to be pumped? Well, if the boys didn’t show up for junior choir, the girls took up the poles and started pumping to bring beautiful music to the congregation.
submitted by Evelyn Small
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Written by Jennifer MacNeill
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The CGIT was a going concern at St. Mark’s at one time. Lots of plays were performed. One year, we had a play “Around the World.” I got to represent Japan. I wore a kimono and had to walk across the stage holding a teacup. My mother told me you could “hear” me before you actually saw me as I was so nervous the cup rattled in my hands.
Submitted by Evelyn Small
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Written by Jennifer MacNeill
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After Jon and I started attending services at St. Mark’s, my parents sometimes joined us. My mother, a longtime member of St. Mark’s, commented one day on the “flashy” mustang parked outside the office entrance. I explained it belonged to our minister, Rev. John Fraser. She quickly said she hoped the congregation was more forgiving than they were in her day. It seems when Mr. Armstrong (the new minister) arrived, he found that the church owned a lovely grassy field, perfect for a grazing cow! I guess a few of the congregation took exception, thinking it was not very appropriate of a minister to own a cow! Thus, Mr. Armstrong and his cow were soon moving on to another church!
Submitted by Lora Skead
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Written by Jennifer MacNeill
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Years ago , if you ever wanted to learn how to make a great potato salad, you just needed assist the UCW as they got ready for one of their Spring Teas or Luncheons. I learned that when you peeled the potatoes all eyes needed to be removed to ensure the salad had no dark markings. Mashing the cooked potatoes took great upper body strength as the pots were placed on the floor and a long, long handled masher was employed. No lumps were allowed to remain in those mashed potatoes, none! If cubed potatoes were desired for potato salad, then those cubes had better be uniformed in size. You used real mayonnaise, fresh onion (although this was not always a necessary addition), celery, milk and butter.
It is true that if you want to learn how to do something well, go learn from the experts. My expert was Dorothy English.
Submitted by Jennifer MacNeill |
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