.gif)
St. Mark's Episcopal Church (Washington, D.C.)
Encyclopedia
St. Mark's Episcopal Church, also known as St. Mark's, Capitol Hill, is a historic Episcopal church
located at 3rd and A Streets, Southeast in the Capitol Hill
neighborhood of Washington, D.C.
. Built 1888–1894, the church is an example of Gothic Revival
and Romanesque Revival
architectures.
The red brick structure has a modified basilica floorplan with no apse. The interior features cast iron columns and hammerbeam
trusses.
in 1867. In 1868, the mission organized its own congregation and built its first permanent structure on Beale Terrace between 2nd and 3rd Streets, a site now occupied by the John Adams Building
of the Library of Congress
. In 1869, it became St. Mark's Memorial Parish and in 1870, St. Mark's Parish.
In 1880, the congregation acquired the land where the present church stands and began raising funds for construction. The cornerstone was laid September 17, 1888 and the first services were held February 23, 1889. Initially, the new building was connected to the existing chapel which then was used as a parish hall. The old structure was demolished in 1894 allowing the nave to be extended and the chancel, high altar and spire to be added.
When the Diocese of Washington
was created from the Diocese of Maryland
in 1895, St. Mark's was chosen as the first cathedral in 1896 and served in this capacity until 1902. The Munich stained glass
windows were installed between 1888 and 1947 and include a Tiffany
window in the baptistry created in 1888.
In the 1940s and 1950s, church membership declined as residents moved from the area to the expanding suburbs. A group of dedicated members set out to revitalize the congregation in 1954 and began programs to relate to new residents of the neighborhood. Among the new programs was a ministry to the deaf.
In 1965, the church underwent a major renovation with movable chairs replacing the pews allowing the nave to be used for events other than worship services.
On May 8, 1973, St. Mark's Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places
. It is a contributing property
to the Capitol Hill Historic District.
Today, the church sponsors a number of education programs, community groups, conerts and markets its own craft beer known as Winged Lion Lager. The beer is an outgrowth of its popular weekly pub lunch after Sunday services.
Local church
A local church is a Christian congregation of members and clergy.Local church may also refer to:* Local churches , a Christian group based on the teachings of Watchman Nee and Witness Lee, and associated with the Living Stream Ministry publishing house.* Parish church, a local church united with...
located at 3rd and A Streets, Southeast in the Capitol Hill
Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.
Capitol Hill, aside from being a metonym for the United States Congress, is the largest historic residential neighborhood in Washington D.C., stretching easterly in front of the United States Capitol along wide avenues...
neighborhood of Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
. Built 1888–1894, the church is an example of Gothic Revival
Gothic Revival architecture
The Gothic Revival is an architectural movement that began in the 1740s in England...
and Romanesque Revival
Romanesque Revival architecture
Romanesque Revival is a style of building employed beginning in the mid 19th century inspired by the 11th and 12th century Romanesque architecture...
architectures.
The red brick structure has a modified basilica floorplan with no apse. The interior features cast iron columns and hammerbeam
Hammerbeam roof
Hammerbeam roof, in architecture, is the name given to an open timber roof, typical of English Gothic architecture, using short beams projecting from the wall.- Design :...
trusses.
History
St. Mark's began as a mission of Christ ChurchChrist Church, Washington Parish (Washington, D.C.)
Christ Church — known also as Christ Church, Washington Parish or Christ Church on Capitol Hill — is an historic Episcopal church located at 620 G Street SE in Washington, D.C., USA....
in 1867. In 1868, the mission organized its own congregation and built its first permanent structure on Beale Terrace between 2nd and 3rd Streets, a site now occupied by the John Adams Building
John Adams Building
The John Adams Building is one of three library buildings of the Library of Congress in the United States. The building was originally built simply as an annex to the Library's Main Building . It opened its doors to the public on January 3, 1939...
of the Library of Congress
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the research library of the United States Congress, de facto national library of the United States, and the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States. Located in three buildings in Washington, D.C., it is the largest library in the world by shelf space and...
. In 1869, it became St. Mark's Memorial Parish and in 1870, St. Mark's Parish.
In 1880, the congregation acquired the land where the present church stands and began raising funds for construction. The cornerstone was laid September 17, 1888 and the first services were held February 23, 1889. Initially, the new building was connected to the existing chapel which then was used as a parish hall. The old structure was demolished in 1894 allowing the nave to be extended and the chancel, high altar and spire to be added.
When the Diocese of Washington
Episcopal Diocese of Washington
The Episcopal Diocese of Washington is the ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Episcopal Bishop of Washington in the United States. The territory comprises the District of Columbia and the Maryland counties of Charles, St. Mary's, Prince George's and Montgomery...
was created from the Diocese of Maryland
Episcopal Diocese of Maryland
The Episcopal Diocese of Maryland forms part of Province 3 of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America. It is made up of the northern and central Maryland counties of Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard, and Washington...
in 1895, St. Mark's was chosen as the first cathedral in 1896 and served in this capacity until 1902. The Munich stained glass
Munich-style stained glass
Munich-style stained glass was produced in the Royal Bavarian Stained Glass Manufactory, Munich, in the mid-19th century.King Ludwig I of Bavaria planned for the first time in Continental Europe the revival of the art of stained glass and established in 1827 the “Königliche Glasmalereianstalt” /...
windows were installed between 1888 and 1947 and include a Tiffany
Tiffany glass
Tiffany glass refers to the many and varied types of glass developed and produced from 1878 to 1933 at the Tiffany Studios, by Louis Comfort Tiffany....
window in the baptistry created in 1888.
In the 1940s and 1950s, church membership declined as residents moved from the area to the expanding suburbs. A group of dedicated members set out to revitalize the congregation in 1954 and began programs to relate to new residents of the neighborhood. Among the new programs was a ministry to the deaf.
In 1965, the church underwent a major renovation with movable chairs replacing the pews allowing the nave to be used for events other than worship services.
On May 8, 1973, St. Mark's Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. It is a contributing property
Contributing property
In the law regulating historic districts in the United States, a contributing resource or contributing property is any building, structure, or object which adds to the historical integrity or architectural qualities that make the historic district, listed locally or federally, significant...
to the Capitol Hill Historic District.
Today, the church sponsors a number of education programs, community groups, conerts and markets its own craft beer known as Winged Lion Lager. The beer is an outgrowth of its popular weekly pub lunch after Sunday services.
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in the District of Columbia