St Mark's Anglican Church

1320 Wilton Ave., London, Ontario

Rector:   Rev. Dr. David Norton

The parish considers itself to be an "east-end" community of worshippers in the City of London, Ontario and as the city continues to encourage industrial development as well as residential growth at its eastern extremity, St. Mark's continues to maintain its 'blue-collar' demography.

The building itself, constructed in 1965 is the third physical location of the parish. St. Mark's began in 1908 as a storefront mission of an Anglican parish, which has since closed, but at that time saw the need for ministry at the eastern end of London. The parish was housed in two further structures, moving progressively eastward as the city expanded in the 1930's. During the 1950's the size of the congregation was then sufficient to warrant the building of the present church, but at that same period two additional Anglican churches were built, St. Barnabas' and St. Timothy's, in the same part of the city. These congregations have now merged with Resurrection and St. Matthew's, sold their buildings and have relocated becoming the East London Anglican Ministries at the extreme eastern edge of London leaving St. Mark's as a small but active parish in an area the residents still refer to as the 'east-end'.

St. Marks' continues to function with considerable vitality. The parish list indicates a membership of 60 families, yet average Sunday attendance frequently numbers in excess of 75 persons. All the programs associated with Anglican parish life function well at St. Mark's: Sunday School and Nursery, Bible Studies in parish homes, facilities for Girl Guides and AA groups from the community to meet, Alpha sessions, Choir and Servers, Education Classes and Social Events designed to bring families together.

Over recent years the parish has developed a close relationship with the members of the Chippewa and Munsee First Nations whose reserve is located just a few miles south-west of London and members of St. Mark's frequently share activities with the congregation at St. Andrew's, Chippewa-Munsey (left).

The building itself is situated on a spacious lot with numerous pine trees and ample parking. It is a tall A-frame structure with a very high roof and with interior walls and furnishings fashioned from Canadian maple. It provides a beautiful warm worship-space which is utilized to the full with a variety of services: two Sunday Eucharist's (informal and traditional) was B.A.S., one Eucharist a month with B.C.P. and music supported by CD's, organ, keyboard, piano and guitar. The beauty of the interior and the variety of worship are central features of parish life.