OUR STORY OFFICIALLY BEGAN IN 1949.
More than 70 years later, St. Mark Lutheran is still dedicated to sharing our love for Jesus Christ by caring for people and equipping them to live out their faith in the world.
In August of 1948, Pastor Ed Keiper was called by the Texas District of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod to serve as a Missionary at Large in the Spring Branch area.
He found other Lutherans in the area and also canvassed the neighborhood, knocking on the doors of homes and businesses, inviting them to worship together. Since this was before St. Mark was officially formed, Pastor Keiper arranged for worship services to be held in the American Legion Hall. Just three months into the area in November 1948, plans were already adopted for a Sanctuary to be built – the first building to be constructed.
St. Mark was officially organized as a congregation on January 9, 1949. There were 130 people in attendance that day.
Historical Highlights
The first building on Long Point and Silber was dedicated on April 24, 1949
St. Mark Lutheran School opened in September 1949 with 18 students
Approximately eight acres was purchased from the Hillendahl estate in January 1958. You know you're in Texas when the church had one stipulation regarding the move: It must have a BBQ pit!
Our facilities were expanded to include a gym, cafeteria, education center, parlor and offices in 1965
St. Mark purchased 9.4 acre plot west of Pech Road in January 1991 for just over $1.25 million
The new ministry building, including a choir practice room and several classrooms, was dedicated on August 19, 1993
A $10 million dollar state-of-the-art school building for K-8 students was constructed in 2018