{ St. Marks Episcopal Church }
 

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ST. MARKS' EPISCOPAL CHURCH INFORMATION

According to the Palatka News of April 25th, 1913, St. Marks' was celebrating their 60th anniversary. The article gives the following account:

In 1847, Reverend W. B. Whipple, afterwards a Bishop of Minnesota, on the invitation of Mr. James Burt, a few other communicants gathered and held services. It was not until 1853, were steps taken to erect a church building. They met on December 12, 1853, and voted Judge Isaac Hopkins Bronson, a warden, with James Burt a secretary.

The cornerstone of the ediface was laid in 1854, however, it did not become property of the Episcopal church until 1857, the building remained unconsecrated until another religious house of worship was erected in Palatka.

On April 12, 1857, St. Marks' complied with original condition, and the building was duly consecrated by Bishop Rutledge, The Reverend W. M. Carmichael, D. D. , rector of the parish read the requiem to consecrate. Rev. W . W. Bours of St. Johns' Episcopal Church, in Jacksonville, read the sentance of consecration and Reverend W. E. Eppes, of Christ Church, Montana assisted in service.

The chalice and paten made of silver, was a gift of a church school in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1854.

The "fine toned bell" was a gift of the towns people, and "until 20 years ago, the bell was used as a city fire alarm." It originally stood on a tower alongside the church, however, in 1874, under the ministry of Mr. Roache tower was built on east side.

During the ministry of Mr. Williams a parachoial school was built and the present Bishop of Cuba was one of the masters.