“What does it mean to be welcomed?” Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church in Glendale answers this question with open arms and hearts. It extends genuine joy in welcoming all. No matter who you are, where you’ve been, what you suffer, or what questions you may have about God, Christ, faith, or church.
Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church stands beautifully situated at a boundary. It is between the urban and the suburban in Glendale. This church’s story began in the 1880s. A small group of English expatriates settled in a farming town. This town was a few miles north of Los Angeles. On Sunday mornings, they gathered in a farmhouse parlor. They worshiped in the style of the church they left in England.
Soon, American-born settlers joined them. Their small English prayer services became an Episcopal mission. Over the next century, the congregation grew with the city. They suffered internal divisions and controversies. They saw their church boom in the 1920s. The church floundered in the Great Depression. They endured sacrifices and anxieties during the Second World War. They rallied to build a beautiful new church in the post-war years. In the tumultuous 1960s, they lost their bearings. They struggled to remain true to their faith as Christianity evolved.
Theirs is a unique story, yet typical of Christian communities. It reflects experiences of countless others living through a century of great change. Their history shows one church congregation’s experience. It provides a prism through which larger world events can be viewed.
Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church is known for its beautiful garden. The garden is open every day. It provides a peaceful place to rest. Its red doors swing wide open every day. Anyone may enter and pray. A bronze, life-size statue of Jesus carrying his cross stands here. It has become a pilgrimage site for Glendale residents. They stop to reverence it and bring flowers. Some even bring buckets of water. They lovingly wash Jesus’ face.
In 2009, the church acquired a high-quality pipe organ. It was built in 1929 by Ernest M. Skinner. The Ahmanson Foundation helped acquire it. Saint Mark’s also runs a preschool and pre-Kindergarten program. It serves children between two and five. A book detailing the parish’s history was published in 2013.
The Very Reverend Canon Mark A. Weitzel currently leads Saint Mark’s. This church has also become a popular venue. Many concerts and stage productions happen here. So, whether you seek solace, community, or artistic inspiration, Saint Mark’s welcomes you. It invites you to share your journey and spiritual quest.