History of St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church

 In the summer of 1903, the idea of organizing the Saint Mark Missionary Baptist Church was conceived in the minds of religious leaders of the city of Dallas. These leaders felt that the people of the east Dallas area and community needed another place of worship to meet the needs of a growing Christian fellowship.

Concerned members of the Saint John Baptist Church, supported by equally concerned members of New Hope Baptist Church, who resided in the community, set about immediately to accomplish this goal.

Under the leadership of Rev. C.L. McPherson, Saint John Baptist Church, Rev. A.S. Jackson, Sr., Pastor, New Hope Baptist Church, Rev. Z.T. Partee, Pastor, Macedonia (now Good Street) Baptist Church, and Rev. S.G. Gates, the Saint Mark Missionary Baptist Church was born.

Early in 1917, the initial structure, a 20 by 30 box, was updated with a building of a wood frame church, complete with a Baptismal pool and a bell tower that could be heard throughout the neighborhood. The church membership grew under the leadership several dedicated ministers. We thank God for their contribution.

In 1954, under the pastorage of Rev. A.D. McCraw, A brick building was built. Rev McCraw was called to pastor in Ennis, Texas after 4 1/2 years of service.  Rev. McCraw had become pastor after Rev. L.D. Bell accepted another calling. Rev. Bell hailed from the Munger Ave. Baptist Church, as did Rev. E.W. Thomas, who became pastor after Rev. McCraw.

In 1962, Rev. C.A. Wilson was called to pastor. During his ministry, the church was completely destroyed by fire.  The pastor and members held to their faith and trusted wholly on the Lord. During the period of restoration, Roe's Chapel Baptist Church, Rev. J.D. Ogletree, opened their doors to us for service.  In nine months, the church was rebuilt. Classroom facilities were added and a Hammond organ was purchased. In 1969, Rev. Wilson accepted a calling in his home city, Ft. Worth, Texas.

In 1970, Rev Charles Reed, a local minister, became pastor.  During his pastorage, two adjoining lots were purchased and all of the church's indebtedness was paid in full.

In July 1984, Rev. Allen G. Madison accepted the call to pastor the church. Again the  Lord had smiled on us. We do give Him all the praise for our progress both spiritually and financially. Since Rev. Madison became the pastor, the congregation continues to increase in membership. During this an additional eight lots were purchased, the church bus, outreach and educational ministries were implemented.

In 1995, a complete renovation of the existing sanctuary was completed. During this time a concerted effort was initiated to complete the necessary purchase of the surrounding lots on Philip and Bank streets. The Lord has given the pastor the vision to build a Family Life Center to meet the spiritual and educational needs of this congregation. Through persistent prayer and the untiring efforts of the pastor, deacons and building committee the majority of land was secured to pursue phase I of the building plan. Also during this time, new ministries were added. They include the health, prison, drama, praise dancers, steppers and hostess ministries.  The Outreach Ministry under the leadership to Rev. and Sister James Bigham published the first St. Mark Outreach Newsletter in 1999.  This publication is distributed quarterly to inform the church family o positive information regarding people, accomplishments and events relevant to the growing congregation.  In July 1999 Pastor Madison celebrated fifteen years as the pastor of this church.  This accomplishment gave him the longest tenure of any pastor of Saint Mark Missionary Baptist Church. We thank God for this blessing.

The decade of 2000 challenged our congregation to begin the construction of the Family Life Center and Educational Facility.  The growth of the congregation required more classrooms and space for all of it ministries.  The growth also provided the opportunity to establish Leadership Council under the Direction of Rev. Louis Berry, Assistant Pastor. The Council was instrumental in keeping the congregation aware of the progress of the building program.  This Leadership Council also provided training for current and future leaders within the church family. Through the grace of God the Family Life Center/Educational Facility became a reality when construction began in December 2002. When completed this year the facility will housed 10 classrooms, a conference room, fellowship hall and commercial kitchen.  The center will become Saint Mark's primary education facility.  It is the vision of Pastor Madison  that the church become more active in the East Dallas community by establishing a daycare and faith - based ministry for youth at risk and senior citizens within the center.  The rest of Saint Mark's  legacy remains in the vision of Pastor Madison to begin phase II of the building program by erecting a new sanctuary in 2004. Phase III of the vision include a mission facility that will care for the needs of displace families.  We continue to pray for our building projects and the vision God has given our pastor.

It has been by the grace of God that we have come this far.  We give Him the praise and glory for His faithfulness and long - suffering toward us.  We thank Him for the predecessors He placed in this church who paved the way and left a legacy of devotion to God and love of their church.  Our prayer is that Saint Mark will continue another 100 years of kingdom building.  Through God's blessings Saint Mark will be a beacon of light and love to those who travel this way.

We solicit the prayers of our brothers and sisters in Christ for the continued growth of this Church.