The History of the St. Mark Baptist Church
Drawing of St. Mark first structure (outside) drawn by
Cedrick Brooks
In the beginning….
In 1866, one year after the Civil War and the end of slavery in America, the Mt. Zion Baptist Church was organized in Hanover, Virginia. Seven years later, in 1873, 83 members of Mt. Zion living in the Dabneys community decided to establish their own church—the St. Mark Baptist Church. Rev. William Hicks of the First Union Baptist Church in Crozier, Virginia was elected as the first pastor of St. Mark. In the early years, members met in different homes throughout the neighborhood in the winter months and outside in members’ yards in the summer months.
Our firm foundation….
On September 2, 1880, St. Mark purchased a portion of its present parcel of land for $50.00 from Mir Brooks, out of a piece of land sold to him by William A. Bowles. Subsequently, the church purchased ¼ acre from Rufus and Cora Bowles for the sum of $25.00. The very first church, a 35x40 foot unpainted structure with a school house built beside it, was erected in 1889. This church building had no choir loft, but had a gallery in the back. There were three doors in the rear— one for each aisle and one door for pastors or preachers to enter. Both the church and the schoolhouse were surrounded with a wire fence. A wood stove standing in the center of the building provided heat in the winter months. The schoolhouse provided a place for black children in the community to be educated, serving children in grades 1-7. The foundation for the present church was laid in 1927 and the new church was completed in 1935.
Serving the Lord….
In the early years, church service was held only on the third Sunday of each month. There were no names for organizations of the church. The members formed groups known as clubs (the #1 club, #2 club, #3 club, #4 club, etc.). The first named committee was known as the Caring Committee.
Though not officially designated as ushers, Bro. Charles Johnson and Bro. David Johnson assumed the usher-like responsibilities of welcoming churchgoers and ringing the tower bell to signal the start of services. The first Sunday School was organized in 1873 with Bro. James N. Lewis serving as superintendent. The first Building Committee began in the 1920’s led by Rev. Hicks and Bro. Thomas Hopkins, and the first Missionary Circle was organized in 1938 with Sis. Cora Bowles as president. Other “firsts” include the Senior Choir in 1937, the Pastor’s Aid Club in 1938, and the Young People’s Club in 1939.
Baptisms were performed once each year. The earliest baptisms were held at Spring Bottom in MickieTown, Fleming Creek, and the South Anna River. After the present day church was built, candidates were baptized in the outdoor pool. In 2000, an indoor pool was installed.
Leading the flock…..
Over the past 150 years, the St. Mark Baptist Church congregation has been led by eight pastors:
Rev. William H. Hicks (1873-1928)
Rev. Edward W. Jeffries (1929-1937)
Rev. Robert L. Taylor (1938-1942)
Rev. Clifton C. Whitaker, Sr. (1942-1960)
Rev. Leroy Jones (1961-1968)
Rev. Marshall D. Burgess (1968-2007)
Rev. Gregory Washington (2009-2017)
Rev. Tracie A. Daniels (2018-present)
Our Vision and Mission….
The St. Mark Baptist Church is a family of faith who are Christ-centered, spirit-led, and bible-driven for the glory of God.
The members of the St. Mark Baptist Church support the vision by striving to be: (1) a worshipping community; (2) a witnessing and evangelizing community; (3) a ministering community; and (4) a teaching community.
As our church family continues to grow, we will uplift this vision and mission through our church theme of “Growing in Grace, Walking by Faith.”
In 1866, one year after the Civil War and the end of slavery in America, the Mt. Zion Baptist Church was organized in Hanover, Virginia. Seven years later, in 1873, 83 members of Mt. Zion living in the Dabneys community decided to establish their own church—the St. Mark Baptist Church. Rev. William Hicks of the First Union Baptist Church in Crozier, Virginia was elected as the first pastor of St. Mark. In the early years, members met in different homes throughout the neighborhood in the winter months and outside in members’ yards in the summer months.
Our firm foundation….
On September 2, 1880, St. Mark purchased a portion of its present parcel of land for $50.00 from Mir Brooks, out of a piece of land sold to him by William A. Bowles. Subsequently, the church purchased ¼ acre from Rufus and Cora Bowles for the sum of $25.00. The very first church, a 35x40 foot unpainted structure with a school house built beside it, was erected in 1889. This church building had no choir loft, but had a gallery in the back. There were three doors in the rear— one for each aisle and one door for pastors or preachers to enter. Both the church and the schoolhouse were surrounded with a wire fence. A wood stove standing in the center of the building provided heat in the winter months. The schoolhouse provided a place for black children in the community to be educated, serving children in grades 1-7. The foundation for the present church was laid in 1927 and the new church was completed in 1935.
Serving the Lord….
In the early years, church service was held only on the third Sunday of each month. There were no names for organizations of the church. The members formed groups known as clubs (the #1 club, #2 club, #3 club, #4 club, etc.). The first named committee was known as the Caring Committee.
Though not officially designated as ushers, Bro. Charles Johnson and Bro. David Johnson assumed the usher-like responsibilities of welcoming churchgoers and ringing the tower bell to signal the start of services. The first Sunday School was organized in 1873 with Bro. James N. Lewis serving as superintendent. The first Building Committee began in the 1920’s led by Rev. Hicks and Bro. Thomas Hopkins, and the first Missionary Circle was organized in 1938 with Sis. Cora Bowles as president. Other “firsts” include the Senior Choir in 1937, the Pastor’s Aid Club in 1938, and the Young People’s Club in 1939.
Baptisms were performed once each year. The earliest baptisms were held at Spring Bottom in MickieTown, Fleming Creek, and the South Anna River. After the present day church was built, candidates were baptized in the outdoor pool. In 2000, an indoor pool was installed.
Leading the flock…..
Over the past 150 years, the St. Mark Baptist Church congregation has been led by eight pastors:
Rev. William H. Hicks (1873-1928)
Rev. Edward W. Jeffries (1929-1937)
Rev. Robert L. Taylor (1938-1942)
Rev. Clifton C. Whitaker, Sr. (1942-1960)
Rev. Leroy Jones (1961-1968)
Rev. Marshall D. Burgess (1968-2007)
Rev. Gregory Washington (2009-2017)
Rev. Tracie A. Daniels (2018-present)
Our Vision and Mission….
The St. Mark Baptist Church is a family of faith who are Christ-centered, spirit-led, and bible-driven for the glory of God.
The members of the St. Mark Baptist Church support the vision by striving to be: (1) a worshipping community; (2) a witnessing and evangelizing community; (3) a ministering community; and (4) a teaching community.
As our church family continues to grow, we will uplift this vision and mission through our church theme of “Growing in Grace, Walking by Faith.”