One hundred twenty years have passed since the building of “The Little Church on the Hill”. We had little experience in building a church in a small community and least of all, no financial resources.  Now one hundred twenty years later, we look back with astonishment and humility at the distance we have traveled, the difficulties overcome, and the lives enriched-not just our own, but the lives of others. The history of our church is not a decaying mass of buried relics, but warm thrilling stories of heroic deeds, heart breaking memories, heartwarming chapters of the lives of a loyal group of people, small in number but great in faith and dedicated in the desires to build a church and worship God therein.

In the year 1887, the present site was selected as an ideal spot for the building of the first black church. This land was purchased from Frank Nelson of the Fannie A. Steel Land Survey. A modest frame building was soon erected which met our needs at that time.

The Rev. W.M. Pickens was the first minister to give himself in the humble beginning of this congregation. He served faithfully for four years (1889-1893). He was followed by the Rev. V. Washington (1893-1894) and the Rev. J. W. Swain (1894-1896). During Rev. Swain’s administration the first public school in this district was organized in St. Mark Church under the principle ship of Rev. Dillard.

The Rev. H.W. Dubose followed Rev. Swain and served for four years (1896-1900). The Rev. Davenport followed serving two years (1900-1902). The Rev. Oliver  served two years (1902-1904); Rev. G. M. Noble (1904-1905); Rev. M.G. Rowe (1905-1907); Rev. W. T. Thomas (1907-1908).

The period known as the “Era of Good Feeling” in the history of our church (1908-1911) was during the pastorate of the Rev. I.W. Mitchell. During this period a warranty deed was issued, witnessed by the following Trustees; J.M. Britton, H.C. Graves, J.M. Patton, J.W. Byrd and John Wooden.

During this time a religious charter was granted St. Mark under the Corporate Law of the State of Alabama. The charter was probated October 5, 1910. The trustees acting for the church were: J.M. Britton, J.M. Patton, Mitchell Lee, John Wooden, and H.C. Graves. Following this period, the ministers who served were: Rev. T.P. Ashford (1911-1912); Rev. V. I. Bailey (1912-1914); Rev. F.W. Weir (1914-1915); and Rev. J.H. Brewster (1915-1916).

Rev. F.A. Bailey followed Brewster and served from 1916-1918. He succeeded by a minister who was affectionately called “The Neighborhood Minister”. The minister was Rev. Humphries and served from 1922-1923. In succession Rev. J.H. Holmes (1923-1925); Rev. B.J. Brown (1925-1927); Rev. J.H. Williams 1927-1929); Rev. E.W. Carter (1929-1930); Rev. D.G. Moore (1930-1931); Rev. L.S. White (1931-1934); Rev. T. H. Copeland (1934-1935); Rev. P.H. Smith (1935-1940); Rev. O.B. Anderson (1940-1941); Rev. J.H. Parham (1941-1947); Rev.  A.J. Hicks (1947-1949); Rev. G.W. Ford (1949-1951).

Rev. J. Williams and Rev. J.W. Parham served St. Mark a second term. Rev Williams served from (1951-1954) and Rev. Parham (1954-1955). Rev. M.F. Jefferson (1955-1956); Rev. G.H. Yarbrough (1956-1960); Rev. W.E. Jenkins (1960-1964); Rev. W. Bonner (1964-1965); Rev. J.A. Crumpton (1965-1967); Rev. H. Gilliam (1967-1968); Rev. O.J. Ford (1968-1974).

Rev. W.N. Owens served St. Mark from 1974 to 1982. Under his leadership the church was revitalized and a church parsonage and church van was purchased.

Rev. Owens was followed by Rev. John Hughes (1982-1983); Rev. John Loving (1983-1985); Rev. Tony Henderson became pastor in 1985 and remained one year. Rev. M.L. Newman followed Rev. Henderson as pastor and remained until his death in May 1987. Rev. Newman’s untimely death prevented his project from materializing.

Rev. L.L. Reddick, III served faithfully from 1987-1990. He brought a new life to our membership, giving instruction and leadership. The ministry of the Rev. Oliver W. Gibson, Sr. and Rev. Curtis Robinson was of a very short duration.

The next pastor was Rev. Seth M. O’Korley. He really lifted up the spirit of the church. Many of the members returned to the church. He was dedicated and worked hard for the building of the new church edifice. He was assigned to St. Mark in August 1994. Under his leadership, the new edifice was built and dedicated in October 2001.

Rev. Troy D. Johnson has served as the humble pastor since August 2002. Under his leadership, God has blessed the church and has added 113 new members. Since Rev. Johnson’s arrival other milestones include refinancing the mortgage that lowered the note and decreased the overall term of the loan by three years; a health ministry was added along with a yearly community health fair. Several children, youth, and young adult’s ministries have been added. They include God’s Sheep children’s choir, New Direction young adult choir, praise team, step team and a praise and worship team as well as a computer lab. To top it all off St. Mark was able by the grace of God to have started a yearly summer camp that has enrolled over 100 children and youth each year for the past five years.

Our future lies beyond. We must keep it alive and with the help of our Heavenly Father there is nothing we can’t accomplish. We must, and we will by the Grace of God, press toward the mark of the high calling which is Christ Jesus.