“St. Mark A.M.E. Church History”
updated October 2018
The St. Mark A.M.E. Church was organized June 26, 1912 as a result of the desires and determination of a group of dedicated people whom God gave a vision of “a local place of their own, where they could worship,” according to the African Methodist Episcopal denomination
On March 19, 1912 under the leadership of Rosa Washington, this group met in the home of Betty Sterling at 1312 Montier Street, where they held the first meeting and worship service, and set their plans in motion.
God blessed them and added to their number and they attained a storefront at 1314 Montier Street, which served as their first meetinghouse.
Presiding Elder Askew, assisted by Rev. D. S. Bentley, of the St. James A.M.E. Church, Euclid Avenue, East Liberty, PA. organized the Church.
Some of the known original members included Ella Barnes Brevard, Betty Sterling, Molly Fletcher, Elizabeth Williams, James Williams, Bro Brown, Sister Hackley, Elmira Young, Roxanna Barnes, Lucy Gregor and Alice Monroe.
Rev. Bently preached the Organization sermon and chose for his text, Luke 12:31 “Fear not little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.”
Sister Alice Monroe offered the first prayer, and the first hymn sung was “O For a Faith That Will Not Shrink.”
Rev. James Davenport served as the first pastor from June 1912 until the convening of the Pittsburgh Annual Conference in September 1912, where Bishop Shaffer appointed Rev. J. H. Dandridge as the pastor.
A one-story building was erected for worship and the house on the property became the parsonage.
During the next twelve years the following ministers served as pastor: The Reverends W. H. Trust, A. S. King, W. L. Johnson, H. I. Hughes and W. S. Becks.
In 1929, under the pastorate of Rev. W. S. Becks, the present auditorium was built and dedicated by Bishop William H. Heard, who was assisted by Presiding Elder Joseph W. Jarvis.
Each minister leaves the print of his hands in the molding and making of our great heritage, and each leaves his foot prints in the sands of time that have led to the Solid Rock, which is Christ Jesus, on which the Church is built.
The St. Mark A.M.E. Church was pastured by the following ministers: Reverends Charles Crumidity, J. W. Curry, C. N. Thompson, A. E. Martin, J. E. Roebuck, J. O. Edwards, C. S. Butcher, C. C. Carter, A. E. Lyles, S. McBee, J. W. Moorehead, Charles D. Johnson, Samuel A. McGill, Charles W. Burckner, Donald E. Owens, Donald A. Clisby, Bryon N. Jordan, Geoffrey E. Tate, II and Arthur E. Doctor, Jr. Presently we are under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Helen Milner Burton.
We praise God for our founding members and the dear saints that have preceded us. We accept the great challenge that they have passed on to us, to carry on in faith and determination and to keep the vision alive, as we now endeavor to hold up the blood stained banner, and to lift up the name of Jesus.
Deepest appreciation to: John Harvey Moore, Deaconness Dora Moore, James C. Barnes, Roxanna Barnes for helping to make the edifice possible through their unselfish sacrifice. We give thanks to God for the little church on the corner known as St. Mark A.M.E. Church where God is worshipped in spirit and in truth.
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“St. Mark A.M.E. Church History,” St. Mark A.M.E. Church, updated October 2018.