Our History
Since 1869, our beloved St. Mark United Methodist Church has been a part of Christian life in Upstate South Carolina. Our founding fathers had a few resources and little education. But because of their unwavering faith, innumerable sacrifices, and tireless dedication, a great church was born. The rich history of yesterday is the foundation upon which we are building tomorrow.
In the late 1860s , a small group of members left Jubilee Baptist Church to organize a church of their own. In 1869, Father James Rosemond, a great church organizer, began worshipping with them under a "brush arbor." They built as simple brush covered shed to protect them from the elements. And for the next few years, this would be the first meeting place of St. Mark Church.
In 1877, the church leaders saw the need for a permanent gathering place. Sacrificing many personal needs, they contributed the money needed to purchase 14 acres on what would later become St. Mark Road. The deed was recorded November 31, 1877, and signed by church Trustee Board members.
Shortly after the first building was completed in 1879, our first pastor was appointed by the Methodist Conference. Since then numerous updates and renovations have been made. After the completion of our new building the old sanctuary has become the St. Mark Community of Shalom Center.
In 2002 our building project structure was completed and dedicated on August 18, 2002. The new santuary includes a large Sunday school area, fellowship hall, and new 800 seat sanctuary.
In 1972, St. Mark Methodist Church, along with the hundreds if other Black Methodist congregations in South Carolina, made history by joining the White Methodist congregations to form the South Carolina United Methodist Conference. As a result of this history-making merger, St. Mark and the other Black Methodist churches in South Carolina now make up the largest predominately Black constituency in American United Methodism.
