The St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church began as a mission organized in September of 1968 by our founding Pastors, John L. and Fannye B. Walker. This mission started in the basement of their home and through God’s grace grew into the first floor of their home. Their sons Ronald, John Jr., and Paul along with William Chambers and other community youth canvassed the neighborhood and harvest a living room full of young people and some of their parents. Three years later the St. Mark Mission became St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church.
In 1971 the church moved into its first official building on Linden Boulevard and 130th Street. St. Mark continued to be blessed by the Lord and under the leadership of Pastor John and Pastor Fannye Walker many lives were changed. Everyone was welcomed into the church and we all became one family. We often heard quoted “The family that prays together, stays together.” There vision continued to grow and lead the church to the building it currently occupies on Lloyd Road and Liberty Avenue.
The church has experienced leadership unparalleled by many. Rev. John L. Walker, Sr. encouraged his lifelong friend the late Rev. Theodore Jackson to become Assistant Pastor. During this time, the Superintendent of our Sunday school, the late Deacon George Nickens was being prepared by the Lord to accept his calling. Rev. Nickens was there to guide St. Mark through many transitions. His guidance helped to prepare St. Mark for the search for a Pastor. This search has lead us through many roads. Through the direction of Pastor John L. Walker Sr., St. Mark is on the right road now.
It is through the vision of our Founding Pastors that Rev. Owen E. Williams has taken on the leadership role and continues to shepherd the flock. Under the leadership of Pastor Williams, the church experience much growth; we have purchases a new boiler and heating and ventilation system, refurbished our fellowship hall and kitchen, purchase new air conditioners and refrigerator, increased our annual fellowships, developed a new annual St. Mark calendar, added new anniversary services, ordained two Ministers and one Deacon, implemented new beginners Christian classes, feeding and clothing ministries, health care ministry, men’s fellowship ministry, annual workshop seminars on Deaconship, Missions Work and Ushering. We continue to thank God for all the blessings He’s bestowed upon us for these last fifty-four years and hope to keep serving the Master and bring His Word to the World and the World to the Word under the leadership of Pastor Owen E. Williams.
In these difficult times that we find ourselves traveling through, where our eyes and ears see and hear the sufferings of so many from heartbreaking losses, where Grief, Discouragement, Depression and Doubt has taken root in the lives of millions. We asked ourselves "how can I help? What can I do? The Lords answer to us is simple "Love the Lord thy God with all your heart, soul and mind" and "Love your neighbor as yourself". Beloved small acts of kindness towards the stranger is all that is needed to begin to rebuild the community, the church and the person. 1 Peter 3:8 "Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. God bless you and thank you for your sacrificial gift.
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