History of Saint Mark's United Methodist Church

Each week until our August 14th, 2010 50th Anniversary we will be adding facts from our History.

The first fifteen years coverd are from The First Fifteen Years by Charles A. Nicholson

In August of 2010 St. Mark's will be celebrating 50 years of ministry to the people of happen. Please check back here for weekly Historical Tidbits and information on Upcoming Events related to the Anniversary.

Saturday August 14th there will be a social time with previous pastors as well as members both current and past. There will be pictures avaliable for viewing and you're welcome to bring your own. Sunday August 15th there will be only one service at 10:30 AM followed by lunch in the Family Life Center. There are at least 6 past Ministers who will be attending and some if not all will be taking part in the service in addition to our 3 current Minisiters.

St. Mark's Steven's Ministry begins

Consecration of the new Family Life Center was held in November

St. Mark's leads District Mission Team to Misssissippi to help with the clean-up after hurricane Katrina devasteted that area. The Ground Breaking Ceremony for the new Family Life Center was held.

Twelve members from St. Mark's worked with the Busch Gardens spring volunteer program earning #3000.00 for the church.

St. Mark's welcomed a new choir director, Jerry Sowers. Later on in the year a new organist, June Chappell was welcomed to the church. Church attendance averaged 132 people for the year.

Youth Choir Director, Lesley Hartley ordered the first set of chimes and plans to begin rehearsals for the new chime choir in February. The Chimes Choir consisted of members of all ages. The Blue Bus driven by the Bus Guy (Alan Keller) was on the road on a mission, a trip or some kind of excursion almost every month. There was a lot of fun on those trips.

New minister Mark Burgess. Mae Sarco, a young Filipino woman who was being held (essentially a slave) by a fmily from Arabia that were in Hampton on a visit, escaped and showed up at our church with the homeless. St. Mark's was a big factor in helping to return her to the Philippine Islands. She arrived there safely and started the process of getting her legal papers straightened out.

Our new Minister, Tom Reynolds. One of the missions taken by St. Mark's under the Mission Chairperson Ruth Ann Sprague was to help the district's Habitat for Humanity House build a house on Queens Street. Among the volunteers were Bill Derby, Jim Kiss, Dave & Evelyn Minniear and Chet Sprague.

St. Mark's began participating in the SHARE Program. SHARE was a non-profit food and community network. For $13.00 plus 2 hours of volunteer service anyone could receive a SHARE food package (worth $30.00 +) full of frozen meat and poultry, fresh fruits and vegetables and staple items. There were around 30 families partcipating in the program at St. Mark's.

St. Mark's agreed along with ten other Hampton Churches, to participate in the start up of H.E.L.P's homeless winter shelter program "A Night's Welcome". There was much apprehension in all of the churches in this new endeavor. No one knew what to expect from the homeless. The unknown can be fearful. St. Mark's arose to the task with over seventy volunteers. One of those volunteers was Charlotte Dillow who is now the Director of H.E.L.P. St. Mark's hosted the Homeless twice during the winter of 1994.

New sound system installed in sanctuary. The Pastor began involving families to perform the lighting of candles for the Advent season. Six weeks Bible study coducted for Lenten Season.

The Beale home (donated to St. Mark's, Mr. Beale's Sister and the Masonic Lodge in 1989) wass sold. After expenses the Church received around $15,000 from the sale. Pastor reported that there was no loss of members for the first time in 5-6 years. Membership stands at 623.

New pastor David Hampton. Chet Sprague was Administrative Board Chairman. Gwen Galusa was Sunday School Superintendent. Celebration of 30th Anniversary of groundbreaking held in January.

St. Mark's began sponsoring the Boy (Cub) Scouts Pack 168. 75 persons (25-30 classified as adult) attended Summerfest (Children's Bible School) each night June 25-29. Missionary family David and Nancy Forrest, partialy sponsored by St. Mark's gave a report on their work with the people of Sierra Leone.

Dedicated new organ in April with a Special Music Program. The Lay Leaders for the year were Ed Gouldner and Wally Hunt. The Church was willed one third of the Francis Beale home to be shared with the Masonic Lodge and Mr. Beale's sister.

Jack Lynch was the Pastor. Dave Minniear became Chairman of the Admin. Board, replacing Randy Brown. Much of the action on upgrading the Church facilities during the year concerned the prioritizing and financing needed to accomplish the goals. During the April Board Meting Pastor Lynch stated "the tugging and pulling that had taken place was alrightif we were doing it for the Lord and not thinking of our selves." He expressed excitement over the activities and encouraged us to love one another.

New minister Jack Lynch. Chet Sprague, chairman of the Long Range Planning Committee, stated that the basic belief of the COM is that St. Mark's has stopped growing and that the goals of the planning committee are geared towards enhancing the growth of the church. The following items should be adopted in priority as listed to fulfill the goals and needs of St. Mark's: remodel\expand the Fellowship Hall, replace oof area, replace heating and AC System, purchase Van, purchase organ, construct Activity Center & School Annex, pave parking lot, install security fencing and lighting, complete landscaping. Total estimate of cost $400,000. The Fellowship Hall would include an area adjacent to the existing area, a room divider in the present area and other dividers to permit small rooms for conferences, classes etcetra. The Activity Center would provide facilities for a variety of activities id est volleyball, shuffleboard, table tennis, a large assembly area for conferences or seminars, large receptions and kitchen and restroom provisions. The School Annex would provide 8-12 classrooms with restroom facilities and have a joint use of the kitchen area.

June 1986, Pastor Lee Roy Brown retired ending 42 years (5 years at St. Mark's) of active minitry. The new minister appointed to St. Mark's was Dr. Gerald Miller. Dan Hayes donated a new church steeple which was installed on May 7, 1986 and dedicated June 5, 1986.

The Pairs & Spares Sunday School Class presented their Sixth Annual Pigmania ham dinner and talent show on Sunday May 5th, 1985. Hank Eure the Annual MC for the event described it very well when as part of his remarks he said "fellowship and food, ingredients that are cornerstones in each of our lives"

In 1984 the following were Chairpersons and leaders of the church: Administrative Board - Chester Sprague, Council on Ministries - Wallace Hunt, Trustees - Billy Wood, Finance Committee - Bill Derby, Treasurer- Calvin Broome, Lay Leader- Ed Guldner, Minister - Lee Roy Brown

In 1983 the Council on Ministries approved that the church become a part of the H.E.L.P. Organization which assists in meeting needs of people within the community. The Church commitment would be to donate food to the food pantry, provide volunteers for the pantry and donate funds as avaliable to assist people who are in dire financial need. The Finance Committee reported $1000.00 from Kay Carmine's estate was applied on the mortgage as specified in her will. Un August three stain glass windows were dedicated as gifts from Mr. & Mrs. Laurence Butler, Mr & Mrs Gayle Mitchell and the Adult Christian Fellowship Class.

The pulpit was filled by Rev. Robert Forrest on July 25, 1982, Jeff Cannon on August 1st and Ed Guldner on August 8th while Rev. Leroy Brown was on vacation. In 1982 a Treasurer Report stated that there was $80,262 pledged representing 137 pledges, 57 persons gave 100% of their pledges and 11 persons (8%) of those pledged had not contributed. The total pledges received were $71,999,

In 1981 Evangelism (Chairperson Julia Cohen) instituted several programs including New Member Orientation, New Member Reception, Registration of Attendance Forms, Greeters in the Narthex, 3 X 5 cards for New Members, Coffee Time in the Narthex and letters to be sent by the Miniter to welcome new members with a 6 month follow up. When a member has to leave someone on the Evangelism Committee is to call and thank them for being a part of our church family. Tape Minitry started, two tapes are recorded each Sunday and delivered to the home bound.

The church welcomed new Minister, Kirk Robinson, on June 22, 1980. The Pairs and Spares Sunday School sponsored a Ham Dinner and Talent Show called Pigmania which was held annually for many years. A new telephone system with two lines and an intercom with a privacy feature was installed. New secretary Frances Kelly began working in December.

New church secretary Liz Luttrall sold ball point pens to raise money for the purchase of an electric typewriterfor the Church Office. Gayle Mitchell negotiated with the company that made the stained glass windows to cut ehough glass for all the remaining windows before the change in dyes and colors that the company planned to make. Price of the windows will be $450.00 each. The Christmas Music program consisted of 50 voices directed by Linda Gendron and Georgia Brown

An Open House was held so church members could view the new Parsonage. The first stained glass window for the Sanctuary was donated by the MYF (Methodist Youth Fellowship). During the month of April Church attendance averaged 311 people and Sunday School averaged 162. The offering for April was $8404.84. Jack Grizzard was the Minister.

Dave Minniear elected President of the Adult Fellowship Class (later changed to Christian Fellowship Class) replacing Henry Gross who left the area. George Curtis was elected Vice President of the same class. Purchased new Parsonage (2700 sq. ft.), located on Riversedge Drive, for $55,000. There were 712 persons on the membership roles this year.

A decision was made to have one Church service at 10:00 am during the summer months (June through August). The United Methodist Youth Felowship went on a retreat at Makemie Woods. St. Mark's recognized 15 High School graduates (Class of 1976). The annual United Methodist Conference was held n June at the Hampton Coliseum. St. Mark's membership was called upon to help provide housing. In December the Chance Choir had 26 members led by Jean Curtis; the Chapel Choir had 23 members and the Youth Choir had 13 members, both led by Linda Gendron.

Church membership reached 656 after adding 54 new members, and losing 30 to death and other causes. The "Helen Renninger Memorial Fund" was started in October and proceeds were used to purchase the memorial case and stand in the Narthex. On November 9th the church observed its 15th Anniversary. Charter members were special guests and a reception was held in the Social Hall. The Treasurer's Report given by Alton Hockaday indicated the total income for 1975 was $71,604 with expenditures of $70,477. The mortgage indebtedness on the church as of February was $98,884. The parsonage mortgage indebtedness as of December 1975 was $9,357. The parsonage in 1975 was located at 16 Longwood Drive and Rev. Jack Grizzard was the Minister.

On March 3rd "Project Outreach" was started. Members were asked to bring canned goods on the first Sunday of each month, and they were donated to Hampton Social Services to provide food for those in need. The Bible Class completed a landscaping project in front of the Narthex window. In September, they proposed a sidewalk along the parking lot from the Fellowship Hall to the Sanctuary entrance. The Methodist Women held a bazaar on November 1st and raised $2,000 for carpeting for the Sanctuary. An additional $1,500 was donated to this project by a church member who desired to remain anonymous. Church membership reached 632, with 109 new members added during the year.

1973 brought continued growth to the spiritual life of the church. Sunday services served to motivate and strenghthen the Christian activities of the church. Weekly Bible study classes provided Christian knowledge and an understanding of the scriptures. Communion breakfast was held on Palm Sunday and Holy Communion on Maunday Thursday. Our members supported a community service on Good Friday and Sunrise Service at Fort Monroe on Sunday. Youth, Women's and Men's groups remained active. Visitation of both inactive and prospective members received emphasis and information was provided to residents of apartment complexes about the activities and spiritual opportunities avaliable in our church. The first Teacher Recognition and Dedication Service was held September 30, Education Sunday.

The church gained 73 new members bringing the total full membership to 509. Vacation Church School had an average attendance of 100. In July the United Methodist Men started a "Buy A Brick" campaign at one dollar each to raise money for a new sign. The sign was installed in October. St. Mark's Marker (The Newsletter) continued to provide members with information about the church and its activities. Info about Administrative Board meetings and budget requirements were included. With contributions, fund raising and donations an Everett piano was purchased for the choir room.

In February eight teachers began training and a traing session was held in March for all teachers. Vacation Bible School was attended by 73 students. In June the first ceremony of presenting Bibles to graduating seniors was held and seven were awarded. During the year 70 new members were received by the church exceeding the goal set in January. Paraments in all liturgical colors were acquired with the purple and white paraments being donated. A Memorial Book was placed in the Narthex to record all gifts and donations.

During this period, work was begun on establishing a church library. A Christian Flag and an American Flag were donated. The Worship Commission purchased a Processional Cross for the church. The Christmas season included "Hanging of The Greens" early in December, a play presented on the 20th and 24th, with a live Nativity Scene prior to the evening communion service. 1970 presented many challenges for the church. Financial affairs became critical. Members demonstrated Christian concern for the new church in its tenth year of existence. Some extended personal loans and one member used his home as collateral to secure a financial loan to the church.

In addition to fundraising, the church was challenged with planning for and establishing a new Church Laity Service organization. Merger with the Evangelical United Brethren church required restructuring of the system and created the Official Board Council of Ministries, responsible for initiating, developing and coordinating proposals for the church strategy for missions. The Music Committee presented some outstanding programs during this time.

On April 23rd the Methodist Church, and the Evangelical United Brethren Church merged, to become the United Methodist Church. August 4th the Ground Breaking Ceremonies for the new church building and sanctuary took place. This was the third unit of construction in the growth of St. Mark's. The Cornerstone laying for the new church building and sanctuary was held on December 15th.

In June 1967 the Reverend Christopher L. Morse was transferred to Union Theological Seminary in New York City and Reverend Ervin Thomas Murphy Jr. was assigned. Members of the WSCS tutored public school children in an effort to increase the child's reading ability. During the year the Methodist Men purchased 125 new hymnals for the Church.

The Official Board appointed a building committee to study Church facilities needed for worship and education. On May 8,1966 the committee recommended: (1) construction of an additional wing to consist of five classrooms, two restrooms, and equipment room and furnishings, at an estimated cost of $60,000; (2) A new Sanctuary plus a paved parking lot at a cost of $148,844 and (3) completion of the remainder of the church school wing at a cost of $51,000.

During this period many church members were lost through military and civilian transfers. Reverend Tom Murphy was pastor during this time. Total membership was 384 with church service attendance remaining high. Lay interest and participation was excellent. A church=wide study course "Introduction of Christian Ethics" was well attended.

On April 28th the second unit of new classrooms was consecrated. Then on August 19th the first parsonage was purchased at 16 Longwood Drive, at a cost of $14,000. The previous parsonage located at 49 Cherry Acres Drive was occupied by a Lease Agreement. The church "continued to provide the reverance of serious worship with the warmth of small church fellowship", as reported by Charles Nicholson. Sixty new members were added. Since the charter service on November 6th, our church had received 288 members. Fifty-five of those had been received on profession of faith. Since it is a military community, numerous members are lost due to transfers to new duty posts.

In June Reverend Christopher Ludwig Morse was assigned as Pastor of St. Mark's; following Mr Lazenby's transfer to Waynesboro, VA. The WSCS held a reception for the newly assigned minister and new Church School teachers. On October 7, the first Senior MYF was organized. By the end of October, the total full membership of the church was 146. In December a seperate building fund was started with a goal of $10,000 for construction of a unit of additional classrooms.

January 22, 1961
Ground was broken for St. Mark's Methodist Church on January 22, 1961. Participating in the ceremony were Reverend Ashby Lazenby, Mr. Arthur W. Woltz and Miss Martha Ferguson age 16 months, who was the first child to be baptized after the official organization of the church, The service was conducted with Dr. R. Orman Bryant, Peninsula District Superintendent.

The first morning worship service was held in the new building on June 15, 1961. The complex consisted of a combined chapel and social hall with a seating capacity for 150 people. In the afternoon the first wedding was performed in the new chapel by Dr. Bryant when the Rev. Lazenby was married to Miss Royal Dixon Prevette of Hickory N.C.
During the first year church membership increased to 116 members. The Women's Society of Christian Service began a tradition which continues today, serving dinners for the Methodist Men's monthly meetings.

The Charter was received by St. Mark's Methodist Church August 15, 1960

The first service was held June 16, 1960

Reverend Ashby Louis Lazenby was assigned to the new parish.

July 15, 1958
Land located at the junction of Curle Road and Military Highway (renamed Mercury Blvd. in honor of Project Mercury) was purchased for a New Methodist Church.

SAINT MARK'S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

99 E. Mercury Boulevard Hampton, Virginia 23669