What United Methodists Believe
The United Methodist Church, just under 8-million-strong, is a global church that opens hearts, opens doors and opens minds through active engagement with our world.
John Wesley and the early Methodists placed primary emphasis on Christian living, on putting faith and love into action. They desired to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ. Together they pursued “holiness of heart and life,” which Wesley described as “universal love filling the heart, and governing the life." The dual emphasis on both what we believe and how we live, is essential to United Methodism today and is referred to as “practical divinity.” It has continued to be a hallmark of United Methodism today.
Wesley taught that God's grace is with each of us throughout our lives. By grace God pursues us, prepares us, justifies us, and then continues grow in and through us as followers of Jesus Christ.
We invite you to learn more about our rich theological heritage here.
Our Mission Statement
Our Saint Mark Mission Statement is Be and Make Disciples.
Our Purpose
As Christ’s church, our purpose is two-fold:
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
Matthew 22: 37-39
Our History
1874 Founding of the “Union Church”
1901 Building destroyed by fire
1903 Construction of new sanctuary
1924 New educational annex
1951 Name changed from Seneca Methodist Episcopal to Saint Mark Methodist
1956 New parsonage
1958 Purchase of property at present site on Quincy Road
1960 Dedication of debt-free building
1967 Construction of present parsonage
1968 Name “United” added to Saint Mark United Methodist Church
1975 Merging of Newry United Methodist and Saint Mark United Methodist churches
1986 New kitchen, conference room, classrooms, and music suite
1995 Construction of atrium and gymnasium
1997 Opening of Saint Mark Child Development Center
2008 Construction of a new Annex, Narthex, and entrance plus renovation of the Sanctuary and Music Suite