ST. MARK’S CATHOLIC CHURCH HISTORY

LINKING OUR PAST WITH OUR FUTURE

 

April 25, 1797, the feast day of Saint Mark, Father Junipero Serra’s Missionaries with a small band of soldiers happened upon this vast region of beautiful valleys.  To honor Saint Mark they called it “Los Vallecitos de San Marcos (The Little Valleys of St. Mark.)”  They brought the Catholic Faith to this place.

Our Parish was founded in early March 1963.  The first Mass was held in an “Ol Opry House” southwest of San Marcos in the Meadowlark Ranch Theater.  Reverend William D. Spain was the founding pastor.

Later in March 1963, Father Spain received use of a home from Mr. and Mrs. Yonkers.  This became our first rectory.  Located on the Northeast corner of Myrtle and La Moree Roads, it was identified by a large Celtic cross placed in front of the rectory.   

On May 7, 1964, seven and one-half acres of farmland were purchased from the McCleese family.

An old lumber shed was procured and moved to the present site.  Families gathered quickly to help build a church and rectory.  Through contributions and many parish volunteers, the building was completely remodeled.  On July 4, 1964, this building became St. Mark’s first church.  The entire parish enjoyed a special Independence Day with the celebration of its first Mass.

A run down cottage came with the land.  The parishioners contributed all the work and money needed to make the cottage livable.  It served as a rectory until a permanent one could be built.

February 1966, an annex was added to the church.  The annex was supported by wooden beams down the center of the building.  Each beam was etched with the names of those who helped pioneer the first St. Mark’s Church. 

Today, in honor of all our founders, those same beams support our new Gathering Plaza.

In 1969, Father Spain was succeeded by Father Robert F. Dickie who, despite periods of serious illness, carried our two-hundred fifty registered families forward.  A building fund drive began in 1973 and led to the completion of a new rectory in January 1975.  Father Dickie died August 28, 1976.

Father Dickie was succeeded by Reverend Thomas P. Healy who received his appointment to St. Mark’s October 4, 1976.

Father Healy was invested as Honorable Prelate October 13, 1985.  For the next twenty-two years his leadership guided and inspired St. Mark’s parish.

Ground breaking for our new church was celebrated in the spring of 1978.  Construction began in April and the first Mass celebrated in the new church was on Easter Sunday, 1979.  Dedication, along with Confirmation, was held May 6, 1979, with Bishop Leo T. Maher as Presiding Prelate.  Our new church could now be seen across the valley and held capacity seating for eight-hundred worshipers.

Under the administration of Father Healy, a second building was started in 1982 which would serve as a multipurpose facility and parish center. 

Completed in September 1987, St. Mark’s parishioners dedicated “Healy Hall” on January 1, 1988, in honor of Monsignor Thomas P. Healy.  Bishop Maher blessed the new Parish Center, March 13, 1988.

A horse ranch was purchased in late 1993 for our Mission Church.  The barn was converted to seat two-hundred fifty in a beautiful country setting.  The first Mass celebrated in the Mission Church was by Monsignor Healy on February 20, 1994.  

Bishop Robert H. Brom blessed the Mission Church May 14, 1994. 

Today the Mission Church continues to grow and is an active part of our St. Mark’s Parish today.

Monsignor Healy died May 14, 1998.  Reverend George A. Dunkley served as Interim Pastor and was appointed Pastor July 1, 1998.

As our parish has grown to over 4,700 households with over 14,000 registered parishioners in the past 10 years, our need to expand and grow has become more critical.  In March of 2006 we broke ground on our new John Paul II Catechetical Center.  The modern two-story building has 18 classrooms, a large multi-purpose room, commercial kitchen and resource room.

In September of 2007, the dedication of our new facility was celebrated by Bishop Brom and many priests and guests.  Today the center is alive with activities for the entire parish and community.  Healy Hall is as busy as ever. 

With the rapid growth of St. Mark’s parish, we are bursting at the seams.  Most Masses are standing room only.  We need to expand.

Through the eyes of our patron, Saint Mark, we are richly blessed with the history, stewardship and ever-growing vision of our parish.