Welcome

Our Core Values

Spirituality:   We have a long history, rooted in the Book of Common Prayer, a spiritual resource, which recognizes our God given liberty to explore and study our spirituality and relationship with God.

Community:   We are an open Christian Community, seeking to grow in our friendship with God and in compassionate engagement with the world. We welcome anyone who would like to join us in our journey.

Worship:   Engaging and empowering our relationship with God through prayer, praise, and thanksgiving.

Outreach: We seek and serve Christ in the world, healing and supporting our families, parish family, university students, faculty, and staff. 

Children & Youth:  We are committed to be an intergenerational community, which includes children and youth in fellowship, spirituality, and mission.

Who We Are

Have you ever wondered if you belonged at a church?  Have you ever been curious about a faith that is ancient and contemporary, solemn and joyous, traditional and yet somehow warm?  Then St. Mark’s is for you.  

​We don’t care where you come from or where you’ve been.  We don’t care if you are rich or poor, healthy or sick, dressed up or casual, gay or straight, married, divorced, or single, old or young, got it all together or just barely holding on.  We hope you’re happy in your life, but we know that a lot of folks aren’t.  We know that life can be tough, and we know that a lot of us take things for granted.  We want to celebrate with you, and we want to walk with you in the struggle.  We want to meet your in-laws and your outlaws, your friends and your neighbors, or just come alone… we know how much courage it takes just to walk through the doors.  We think that this community has something special and we hope to share it with you. 

We want you here, because chances are, we’ve been there too… we are cradle Episcopalians, former Baptists, recovering addicts, soccer moms, university professors, republicans, democrats, independents and haven’t quite made up our minds yet.  We are from San Marcos, Wimberley, Canyon Lake, and a hundred other communities...  We grew up as Christians, and we had no idea what church could be when God called us to be together.  We are not of common mind, but you can bet that we work hard to be people of Common Prayer.  We read the bible and we follow Jesus, and we know that somehow we are better together than we could ever be apart. 

The faith that we share at St. Mark’s is one that is deep and genuine and it is the heart of our community. We are a church.  Imperfect, loving, open, hopeful and driven by the Grace of God that is so much bigger than just one story…. So if you’ve ever wondered if you belong somewhere... Come join us.  St. Mark’s is for you.

We worship in the style of the Episcopal Church.  When you get here you’ll find people who know what they are doing, and people who haven’t got a clue.  We don’t know what brought you here, but we trust that God’s love is what draws you.  We’re grateful that you’d take a look at this wonderful congregation and we hope that one day, you’ll find your way right in the midst of this Joyful Community that Loves God.

Our History

Texas became a state in 1845, Hays County was organized in 1848 and the City of San Marcos was laid out and established in 1851.  Two years later Deacon J. W. Dunn from Lockhart held the first Episcopal services in San Marcos. Several years passed before the Reverend Wallace Carnahan began holding regular Episcopal services in the Presbyterian Church.

 Then on February 10, 1874, a meeting was held to organize a parish to be known as St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.  A lot was purchased for a new church for $300.00.  In May of 1875, Bishop Elliott laid the cornerstone for the first church building, a 16 x 24 ft. frame structure at what became 208 West Hopkins St.  A rectory was purchased across the street in 1889.  In 1902, the frame structure was replaced by a new red brick building completed in 1904.

 In 1950, the Vestry purchased the old East End School property on Wood Street.  A parish hall was built in 1954 and, soon after, the building on Hopkins St. was declared structurally unsafe and worship was moved to the Parish Hall.  In 1966, the new church was completed under the rectorship of Reverend Eugene Jennings.

 1968 saw the arrival of the Reverend James E. Folts as the new rector.  The 1970’s saw growth at St. Mark’s as well as mission outreach extended to the students at Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University).  St. Stephen’s Mission was organized in Wimberley.  Reverend Folts did double duty by serving as rector at St. Stephen’s and at St. Mark’s.  The annual Parish Picnic became a much anticipated event.  

In 1980, the Reverend Frank E. Fuller became the new Rector. St. Stephen’s became an independent parish.  During the 1980’s, regular services were held in Spanish by Dr. Richard Carlisle. The Computer School started in 1994 and continues to be a wonderful outreach to the San Marcos community.  The Women of the Church held the first of many “Paper Parties” in 1985.  A “Goodtimers” social group met frequently.  The Men of the Church became active and the “Sages” Seniors group was organized.  St. Mark’s continued to be a close family. 

1996 brought the Reverend Bruce Wilson to be the new rector.  Sadly, 1996 also brought a devastating fire at St. Mark’s. Services were held at UPAC at Southwest Texas State University.  Under the leadership of Father Bruce, everyone pitched in and the St. Mark’s Church family, with much rejoicing, moved back to the church in 1998. Sunday School classes, especially for adults, became very popular and the Monday night School of Wisdom brought many new members to St. Mark’s.  A third service—a more contemporary folk mass-- was added on Sunday mornings.  St. Mark’s pre-school was organized and continues to be a success. 

In 1999, the parish voted to start looking for a new location.  It became obvious that we were running out of room.   A twenty acre tract was purchased from the San Marcos Baptist Academy and on February 14, 2010, the beautiful new church was dedicated at 3039 Ranch Road 12, beginning an exciting new era at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.

Celebrating our First 150 Years!