Our Vision
Making disciples of Jesus Christ who love one another and transform our community through the love of God.
Our Story
In the spring of 1893 Reverend S. C. Gooseley was sent to Chicago to organize a Methodist Church among blacks. This was the beginning of St. Mark United Methodist Church. The first worship service was held in a storefront located at 33rd and State Street. In 1895, St. Mark moved to 4645 S. State Street. It was a building originally owned by a white Methodist congregation which had been damaged by fire.
The new congregation repaired the church to such a great state that the white congregation reclaimed the property two years later. Unfortunately, during this period there was no recourse for St. Mark since "Negroes" were not recognized as having equal rights.
The congregation found another storefront at 47th and State Street. The congregation remained determined, and in 1900, they bought the white church they had been forced to leave earlier. Due to the rapid growth of the church membership, in 1907, St. Mark moved to 50th and Wabash Avenue, and the congregation worshipped there until 1959, when it moved to its present location.
50th and Wabash location from 1909-1959
To commemorate St. Mark's 125th Anniversary, in 2019, a history book was published.
The United Methodist Church (UMC)
St. Mark United Methodist Church is proud to be part of the worldwide United Methodist Church and the Northern Illinois Conference—a connection of congregations united in sharing God's love, serving others, and transforming lives through Jesus Christ.
The mission of the United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Together, we equip local churches for ministry while connecting with one another to serve our communities, our nation, and the world. Our shared vision is to nurture vibrant Christians and thriving congregations that work for peace, justice, mercy, and hope.
At St. Mark, we believe God's love is for everyone. We celebrate God's grace, welcome all people, and strive to follow the example of Jesus Christ through worship, service, compassion, and community.
As United Methodists, we embrace the call to Love Boldly, Serve Joyfully, and Lead Courageously. Through our connection with churches across the globe, we are able to make a greater impact than any one congregation could alone—sharing Christ's love through missions, disaster relief, community outreach, education, advocacy, and faithful service.
We invite you to discover what it means to be part of a connected community of believers who are growing in faith, serving with purpose, and making a positive difference in the world. We would love to welcome you into the St. Mark family.
Whether you are exploring faith for the first time, returning to church, or looking for a place to grow spiritually, you are welcome here. Wherever you are on your faith journey, you'll find open hearts, open minds, and open doors at St. Mark. We invite you to join us as we worship, grow, serve together, and experience God's love in community.
Sunday School 50th Church Anniversary (1944)
Cotillion, 1977
Join St Mark Chancel Choir and First CKorean Choir Concert, 1991
St. Mark History
The 1930s marked a period of significant growth and community engagement for St. Mark. As the congregation expanded, ministries were established to nurture the spiritual, educational, and social development of young people. Cub Scout Pack 3534 was organized in 1935, followed by Boy Scout Troop 534 in 1938. Troop 534 continues its legacy of leadership and service to this day.
In 1939, several Methodist denominations united to form The Methodist Church. While this reorganization strengthened the denomination, racial segregation remained within the church through the Central Jurisdiction, a separate governing structure for African American congregations. St. Mark faithfully continued its ministry during this challenging period in Methodist history.
In 1944, the congregation celebrated its 50th Anniversary, giving thanks for five decades of faith, perseverance, and service. The church's commitment to economic empowerment and community support was further demonstrated in 1955 with the incorporation of the St. Mark Credit Union.
The 1960s brought historic changes both within the church and throughout the nation. In 1965, the Lexington Conference merged with the Rock River Conference, reflecting growing efforts toward racial integration within Methodism. In 1967, the Central Jurisdiction was dissolved, ending a formal structure of racial segregation within the denomination. One year later, in 1968, The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church united to form the United Methodist Church, and St. Mark proudly became part of this new denomination.
Since that time, St. Mark has continued to honor its rich heritage while embracing new opportunities for ministry and outreach. From celebrating its 75th Anniversary with a memorable performance of Handel's Messiah to bringing neighbors together through community events such as the Juneteenth Block Party, St. Mark has remained committed to serving God and the community.
Today, we continue our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ through worship, service, fellowship, and outreach. Guided by God's grace, we remain dedicated to living out our commitment to open hearts, open minds, and open doors for all.
Black Methodists for Church Renewal (BMCR)
African Americans have participated in the life of Methodism since its inception in 1784. By the 1960's African Americans still experienced racial inequality within the denomination. To address these issues and ensure that African Americans were equal members of the United Methodist Church, a group of clergy and members convened to form the Black Methodist for Church Renewal (BMCR). The mission of BMCR is to raise up prophetic and spiritual leaders who will be advocates for the unique needs of Black people in the United Methodist Church.
