A Brief History of

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church

1915 to present

In May 1915, Rev. R.E. Reed who was then serving St. James Lutheran Church in Bradner, undertook to organize Lutherans in Bowling Green.  The mission congregation, “The First English Lutheran Church” was born in February 1916.  The new congregation was comprised of 28 communing members.

The first services were held in numerous buildings in Bowling Green - often at odd times to avoid conflict with the building’s regular occupants.  The first permanent building was begun in 1916, and finally dedicated in 1924 as St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.  The construction of the current building at 315 S. College Dr. entered the “dreaming stage” in 1955. 

Dreaming began again to further the ministries of St. Mark's in the early 1990's.  With those dreams came suggestions of renovation to the existing structure  and the additional space.  These improvements included adding office, classrooms, choir rooms, kitchen and a Family Life Center.  Other renovations were made to the existing building, making it completely handicapped accessible.  The dedication of these new additions was in held in 1999.

We continue to dream and grow in Christ's love.

Our current pastoral staff:

Rev. Dale L. Schaefer, Senior Pastor

Rev. Chris Young, Associate Pastor 

            From 1915 to the present, St. Mark’s members have worked to enhance

our community.  The presence of the Holy Spirit has allowed us to continue

to reach out to others and to remain a growing community of believers.