A Brief History of St. Mark's
St. Mark’s on the Mesa Episcopal Church’s first services were held in a store at the corner of Carlisle and Central Avenue in Nob Hill on February 8, 1948. Three months later, services moved to Jefferson Junior High School in the gymnasium where they remained until the Chapel (now the Parish Hall) was completed on April 3, 1949. The present church building was first used by the clergy and congregation after December 19, 1954. The church was dedicated by The Rev. James Moss Stoney, Bishop of New Mexico and Southwest Texas, on February 13, 1955.
With the forward-looking vision and objective of the first rector of St. Mark’s on the Mesa Church, The Rev. George Pascales La Barre, the congregation, and the Vestry, led by Harold E. del Castillo, became dedicated to establish a Parish Church when he wrote in 1952,
May it stand in the years to come as a monument of our love of God, a lasting symbol of our unity as a Parish and our answer to the admonition of “Rise Up and Build.”
By 1952, when the congregation, Vestry, and general chairman of the Expansion Fund Campaign began the planning for the construction of St. Mark’s on the Mesa Episcopal Church, the objectives and philosophy for the new Church had been expanded and clarified. The brochure “Rise Up and Build” noted that “our original contention was that an Episcopal Church would meet with enthusiastic response not only from Episcopalian families residing in the University Heights section but also from many unchurched families.” The Church was to be built by communicants, neighbors, and friends of St. Mark’s Church that “will be an additional service to all who seek within its walls friendship, knowledge, worship, and the true Spirit of Jesus Christ.”
Perhaps the best expression of the philosophy for the establishment of St. Mark’s on the Mesa Episcopal Church occurred in 1952. It stated:
Our Father’s House must be a special place, for mighty things transpire here. The minds of child and youth when nourished by His Word become the conscience of a nation under God. Here, commonplace things like dollars and hours are sanctified for Holy tasks. Here, marriage of a man and a woman transcends the cold requirements of law, becomes a blessed bond ordained by Him who made them both. Here, water gives birth through baptism into the family of God and the body of Christ. Here, bread and wine become the sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood.
Over the past 50 years, St. Mark’s has continued to expand our ministry to the city of Albuquerque. The church has been capably led by fine leaders such as the Revs. Charlie Fish (1956-1982), and Chuck Collins (1990-2001).
In the fall of 2009, many of the very conservative members of the congregation, increasing uncomfortable with the direction that The Episcopal Church was taking, left St. Mark’s to form an Anglican church. The remaining members, stunned at the exodus of major leadership, briefly despaired at the huge holes left in the ministries of St. Mark’s. However, deliberately moving forward, a newly elected nine-member vestry under the leadership of Senior Warden, Al Ussery, called the Rev. Mother Constance Delzell to be our Interim Rector.
During this troubled time, we had many challenges, which served to encourage growth and renewal. Following the split, new leadership stepped forward. The music program was, and continues to be, ably overseen by Jacque Zander-Wall, associate professor of music at the University of New Mexico. We have a thriving UNM Student Music Ministry under her tutelage. Heather Gaume, former Christian Education Director, came out of retirement to re-organize and energize the Children’s Ministries. Joanne Swinson continued our long-standing ministry, Friends Feeding Friend, to support Albuquerque's Project Share. Joyce Miller continued to meet with the Daughters of the King for Bible Study and Fellowship. Allen Lowery and Heather Gaume designed and painted the Parish Hall to become a gallery space for art shows that Allen continues to curate.
As a Resurrection people, we rejoice in the rebirth of St. Mark’s. Following a year-long search process, in September 2011, we called a familiar Albuquerque priest, the Rev. Father Christopher McLaren, to be our permanent rector. We open our hearts to the exhilarating potential God has in store for us and our church's continued service to the city of Albuquerque under his leadership.
Please know that ALL are welcome to join us for our worship services and programs, and there are many opportunities for you to share your gifts and talents in the service of our Lord, Jesus Christ.