Chronological Highlights of our Church
March 28, 1853
First church dedicated, located at about 25842 Gratiot Ave., just south of Frazho Rd.
Name - German Evangelical Lutheran St. Peter's Congregation
February 5, 1872
Incorporated under name German Evangelical Lutheran St. Peter's and St. Paul's Congregation
1891
A bell tower was built on the church and a bell installed.
1907
Due to economic factors, and so many old members moving to larger farms, the church had to be satisfied with part-time non-resident pastors.
June 20, 1920
First Communion Service conducted in the English Language
1921
Synod Mission Subsidy granted - Rev. G.C. Becker became the first resident pastor since 1907.
July 27, 1924
Rev. Becker organized Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Roseville, which in 1932 became affiliated with the Missouri Synod.
1926
Rev. Becker moved to Denver, Colorado, due to ill health. Rev. Walter Fritschel became pastor. The present site of the church was purchased, and the parsonage built, at a cost of $8,500.00.
May 14, 1927
The congregation incorporated under the name of St. Mark's Lutheran Church.
1932
The congregation received $14,965.29 from the State Highway Department for its Gratiot frontage. In fall, the building of the church was started.
February 12, 1933
The small stone church was dedicated.
1935
The remaining property on Gratiot was sold for $4,500.00.
1938
Rev. Walter Fritschel was called to Charles City, Iowa and terminated his ministry here in the Spring.
June 26, 1938
Rev. Walter Wiggert was installed as pastor.
1940
The Parish House and four lots on 11 Mile Road were purchased for $2,600.00.
1943
The church was free of debt, and the mortgage was burned on the 10th anniversary of the dedication.
1944
The congregation voted to dispense with German language services (which were held every 1st and 3rd Sunday at 8:30 a.m.) in order to have two English language services every Sunday.
May 12, 1948
The congregation authorized the Trustees to enter into a contract for the construction of the basement of the new and larger church.
May 15, 1949
Ground-breaking ceremony was held.
January 15, 1950
The new basement was dedicated.
May 1953
Parsonage was moved to new location at 17321 Eleven Mile Road to make room for the new expansion project.
September 1953
Financial campaign for building funds began.
November 11, 1954
Excavation started
March 20, 1955
Cornerstone of church laid.
May 13, 1956
Church dedicated
June 1959
Parsonage purchased at 29868 Park St.
July 19, 1959
Rev, Jacob E. Knoedler installed as Assistant Pastor, terminated his ministry at St. Mark on October 1, 1960.
August 1960
Eleven Mile Road parsonage replaced by the one at 29868 Park St.
April 9, 1961
Rev, Harold R. Blay installed as Assistant Pastor, terminated his ministry at St. Mark on July 21, 1963.
July 12, 1964
Rev. Kurt W. Borows, Jr. installed as Assistant Pastor.
October 1, 1966
Rev. Kurt W. Borows, Jr. accepted a call to St. James in Toledo and terminated his ministry at St. Mark.
November 6, 1966
Burning of the mortgage
November 27, 1966
Rev. Walter Wiggert terminated his ministry at St. Mark and went into retirement.
December 4, 1966
Rev. Fred W. Wolff was installed as pastor.
January 22, 1967
Rev. Walter Wiggert was appointed as Pastor Emeritus.
December 1, 1967
Rev. Dennis R. Scoville installed as Assistant Pastor
September 28, 1969
Rev. Fred W. Wolff accepted a call to Peace, Bessie, Oklahoma and terminated his ministry at St. Mark.
October 18, 1970
Rev. David A. Paul installed as Pastor.
March 1974
The state of Michigan purchased the East Park parsonage.
February and July 1976
Two pieces of property on East Park to be improved for parking facilities.
December 31, 1976
Rev. Dennis R. Scoville terminated his ministry at St. Mark.
June 1977
Park Street parsonage sold.
March 28, 1978
St. Mark celebrated its 125th Anniversary.
Fall 1979
The parking lot on East Park opened for use; to be black-topped in Spring 1980.
November 1982
Electrical work completed for handicapped access project. Driveway off 11 Mile Service Drive for handicapped access project also completed.
December 1982
Two chair lifts installed for handicapped access.
January 3, 1983
Chair lifts inspected and put into operation.
Spring 1983
Sunday School rooms in old church, downstairs, were painted and carpeted, and folding doors were installed to divide classrooms.
Spring and Summer 1983
Old storage room refurbished with closets, drop ceiling, mirror, and carpeting for Youth and Junior Choirs.
July 1983
Ladies restroom painted and paneled, and handicapped facilities added.
Summer 1983
Canopy over drive for handicapped entrance completed.
Winter 1983-84
Carpet installed in open area of Sunday School room in old church, downstairs.
Pastor Paul's office remodeled - carpet, wall panel, drop ceiling and vertical blinds were installed.
Spring 1984
Secretaries office painted, recarpeted, and new drapes hung.
Hallway outside of office painted and drop ceiling installed.
Old stage in fellowship hall removed. Senior Choir room and storage room built in its place.
Fall 1984
Fellowship Hall/Sunday School renovation begins. Drop ceiling, new lighting, mini blinds and carpet tiles installed.
Spring 1985
Old Senior Choir room remodeled as work room for secretaries and office supply room. Intern's office painted and new drapes hung.
Winter 1985
Oak panels installed to replace Dossal Drapes, with one cross per panel.
September 7, 1986
Rev. George A. Oberle installed as Assistant Pastor.
Winter 1986-87
Boys and girls restrooms in old church completely renovated.
March 1987
Canopy for office door installed.
August 1989
Pastor Oberle's office renovated with drop ceiling, wall paneling, and carpeting.
November 1990
Original carpet replaced with royal blue carpeting to match blue in big picture window.
October 1994
Cross over front entrance replaced after being struck by lightning.
April 1996
Additional organ pipes installed.
October 13, 1996
Re-dedication of organ, along with afternoon concert given by Dr. David Wagner.
December 4, 1996
Glass block windows installed in kitchen and pantry.
April 19, 1998
Dedication of carillon system.
August 1998
Inside of old church painted by Boy Scouts as Eagle Scout project.
Outside carillon speaker re-wired.
April 25, 1999
Reverend David A. Paul retired as Senior Pastor after 28 years of dedicated service.
November 14, 1999
Reverend George A. Oberle installed as Senior Pastor.
October 7, 2001
Reverend Kurt J. Fangmeier installed as Associate Pastor.
First church dedicated, located at about 25842 Gratiot Ave., just south of Frazho Rd.
Name - German Evangelical Lutheran St. Peter's Congregation
February 5, 1872
Incorporated under name German Evangelical Lutheran St. Peter's and St. Paul's Congregation
1891
A bell tower was built on the church and a bell installed.
1907
Due to economic factors, and so many old members moving to larger farms, the church had to be satisfied with part-time non-resident pastors.
June 20, 1920
First Communion Service conducted in the English Language
1921
Synod Mission Subsidy granted - Rev. G.C. Becker became the first resident pastor since 1907.
July 27, 1924
Rev. Becker organized Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Roseville, which in 1932 became affiliated with the Missouri Synod.
1926
Rev. Becker moved to Denver, Colorado, due to ill health. Rev. Walter Fritschel became pastor. The present site of the church was purchased, and the parsonage built, at a cost of $8,500.00.
May 14, 1927
The congregation incorporated under the name of St. Mark's Lutheran Church.
1932
The congregation received $14,965.29 from the State Highway Department for its Gratiot frontage. In fall, the building of the church was started.
February 12, 1933
The small stone church was dedicated.
1935
The remaining property on Gratiot was sold for $4,500.00.
1938
Rev. Walter Fritschel was called to Charles City, Iowa and terminated his ministry here in the Spring.
June 26, 1938
Rev. Walter Wiggert was installed as pastor.
1940
The Parish House and four lots on 11 Mile Road were purchased for $2,600.00.
1943
The church was free of debt, and the mortgage was burned on the 10th anniversary of the dedication.
1944
The congregation voted to dispense with German language services (which were held every 1st and 3rd Sunday at 8:30 a.m.) in order to have two English language services every Sunday.
May 12, 1948
The congregation authorized the Trustees to enter into a contract for the construction of the basement of the new and larger church.
May 15, 1949
Ground-breaking ceremony was held.
January 15, 1950
The new basement was dedicated.
May 1953
Parsonage was moved to new location at 17321 Eleven Mile Road to make room for the new expansion project.
September 1953
Financial campaign for building funds began.
November 11, 1954
Excavation started
March 20, 1955
Cornerstone of church laid.
May 13, 1956
Church dedicated
June 1959
Parsonage purchased at 29868 Park St.
July 19, 1959
Rev, Jacob E. Knoedler installed as Assistant Pastor, terminated his ministry at St. Mark on October 1, 1960.
August 1960
Eleven Mile Road parsonage replaced by the one at 29868 Park St.
April 9, 1961
Rev, Harold R. Blay installed as Assistant Pastor, terminated his ministry at St. Mark on July 21, 1963.
July 12, 1964
Rev. Kurt W. Borows, Jr. installed as Assistant Pastor.
October 1, 1966
Rev. Kurt W. Borows, Jr. accepted a call to St. James in Toledo and terminated his ministry at St. Mark.
November 6, 1966
Burning of the mortgage
November 27, 1966
Rev. Walter Wiggert terminated his ministry at St. Mark and went into retirement.
December 4, 1966
Rev. Fred W. Wolff was installed as pastor.
January 22, 1967
Rev. Walter Wiggert was appointed as Pastor Emeritus.
December 1, 1967
Rev. Dennis R. Scoville installed as Assistant Pastor
September 28, 1969
Rev. Fred W. Wolff accepted a call to Peace, Bessie, Oklahoma and terminated his ministry at St. Mark.
October 18, 1970
Rev. David A. Paul installed as Pastor.
March 1974
The state of Michigan purchased the East Park parsonage.
February and July 1976
Two pieces of property on East Park to be improved for parking facilities.
December 31, 1976
Rev. Dennis R. Scoville terminated his ministry at St. Mark.
June 1977
Park Street parsonage sold.
March 28, 1978
St. Mark celebrated its 125th Anniversary.
Fall 1979
The parking lot on East Park opened for use; to be black-topped in Spring 1980.
November 1982
Electrical work completed for handicapped access project. Driveway off 11 Mile Service Drive for handicapped access project also completed.
December 1982
Two chair lifts installed for handicapped access.
January 3, 1983
Chair lifts inspected and put into operation.
Spring 1983
Sunday School rooms in old church, downstairs, were painted and carpeted, and folding doors were installed to divide classrooms.
Spring and Summer 1983
Old storage room refurbished with closets, drop ceiling, mirror, and carpeting for Youth and Junior Choirs.
July 1983
Ladies restroom painted and paneled, and handicapped facilities added.
Summer 1983
Canopy over drive for handicapped entrance completed.
Winter 1983-84
Carpet installed in open area of Sunday School room in old church, downstairs.
Pastor Paul's office remodeled - carpet, wall panel, drop ceiling and vertical blinds were installed.
Spring 1984
Secretaries office painted, recarpeted, and new drapes hung.
Hallway outside of office painted and drop ceiling installed.
Old stage in fellowship hall removed. Senior Choir room and storage room built in its place.
Fall 1984
Fellowship Hall/Sunday School renovation begins. Drop ceiling, new lighting, mini blinds and carpet tiles installed.
Spring 1985
Old Senior Choir room remodeled as work room for secretaries and office supply room. Intern's office painted and new drapes hung.
Winter 1985
Oak panels installed to replace Dossal Drapes, with one cross per panel.
September 7, 1986
Rev. George A. Oberle installed as Assistant Pastor.
Winter 1986-87
Boys and girls restrooms in old church completely renovated.
March 1987
Canopy for office door installed.
August 1989
Pastor Oberle's office renovated with drop ceiling, wall paneling, and carpeting.
November 1990
Original carpet replaced with royal blue carpeting to match blue in big picture window.
October 1994
Cross over front entrance replaced after being struck by lightning.
April 1996
Additional organ pipes installed.
October 13, 1996
Re-dedication of organ, along with afternoon concert given by Dr. David Wagner.
December 4, 1996
Glass block windows installed in kitchen and pantry.
April 19, 1998
Dedication of carillon system.
August 1998
Inside of old church painted by Boy Scouts as Eagle Scout project.
Outside carillon speaker re-wired.
April 25, 1999
Reverend David A. Paul retired as Senior Pastor after 28 years of dedicated service.
November 14, 1999
Reverend George A. Oberle installed as Senior Pastor.
October 7, 2001
Reverend Kurt J. Fangmeier installed as Associate Pastor.