St. Mark's 35th Anniversary
A year-long journey to the 35th Anniversary
November 2015: Dan Ashmead and Candy Burger started us on our one-year journey, telling the story of the 17 founders of our Church in 1980, the designation as a Mission Station in February 1981, the adoption of the name, St. Mark’s, and the advancement/promotion from a Mission Station to Organized Mission status in January, 1982.
.Then, Father Rod Kochtitzky, on January 11, 2015 picked up the storyline in 1983 and told us about buying our current location, remodeling the house thereon and building a small sanctuary. Father Kochtitzky was named our first Vicar in July, and on Rally Day, September 22,1985 our first service was celebrated in our very own location! One of the original founders, Ruffner Simmons joined Father Rod between services on January 11 and added many interesting comments about those first years at St. Mark’s, 1983 -1986.
Father Bob Dedmon who joined St. Mark’s as our second Vicar in 1986, visited us on February 8 and continued our history lesson. (Father Dedmon spoke of his love for St. Mark’s-- best years of his Ministry?) He led us thru the addition of Reynold’s Hall named for Bishop George Reynolds who also had a special place in his heart for St. Mark’s and the addition of about 30/40 feet of sanctuary, an alcove for the choir and a sacristy for preparing the bread and wine for communion and a place to “dress” (Robe?) for the Service. In April, 1989, during Father Dedmon’s tenure, Jim Pace was ordained to the sacred order of Priests at St. Mark’s by Bishop Reynolds. (A lot going on for such a small Church on the hill in Antioch, TN) The first worship service in the new enlarged worship space was held on December 22, 1991. In April, 1994, Father Dedmon was promoted to the Diocese as Canon to the Ordinary and said goodbye to St. Mark’s.
Father Bob spoke of the many fun events during his time at St. Mark’s. (We agree we would not share all of them, especially the overnight Vestry meetings at St. Mary’s!) Between the 8:00 and 10:30 Service, we had a wonderful breakfast (Compliments DOK) with Father Bob during which the stories were continued. (1986-1994)
Leg four on our journey. On Sunday, March 15, Father Scott Lee traveled almost 1000 miles from Stratford, CT, to continue the—our—story. Father Scott actually joined St. Mark’s way back in July 1987 when he was assigned by Bishop Herlong to St. Mark’s as VEP Person, and in April 1988, Scott was invited to apply as Postulant for Holy Orders in the Diocese of Tennessee. In September, 1989 he entered Seminary at Sewanee and in September, 1994 Father Scott Lee was appointed Vicar of St. Mark’s by Bishop Herlong.
Then in January 2000, approximately 60 members of St. Mark’s congregation gathered at Christ Church Cathedral for Holy Eucharist that opened the 168th Annual Convention, and marched behind St. Mark’s banner, when The Right Reverend Bertram N. Herlong announced Saint Mark’s had become a parish. A few moments later, Bishop Herlong announced that Reverend Scott Lee was formally installed as St. Mark’s first Rector. (Knowing Scott, the tears of joy had to be flowing! I suspect he could not utter a sound!) On January 30, 2000, St. Mark’s first service as a Parish was celebrated.
November 2015: Dan Ashmead and Candy Burger started us on our one-year journey, telling the story of the 17 founders of our Church in 1980, the designation as a Mission Station in February 1981, the adoption of the name, St. Mark’s, and the advancement/promotion from a Mission Station to Organized Mission status in January, 1982.
.Then, Father Rod Kochtitzky, on January 11, 2015 picked up the storyline in 1983 and told us about buying our current location, remodeling the house thereon and building a small sanctuary. Father Kochtitzky was named our first Vicar in July, and on Rally Day, September 22,1985 our first service was celebrated in our very own location! One of the original founders, Ruffner Simmons joined Father Rod between services on January 11 and added many interesting comments about those first years at St. Mark’s, 1983 -1986.
Father Bob Dedmon who joined St. Mark’s as our second Vicar in 1986, visited us on February 8 and continued our history lesson. (Father Dedmon spoke of his love for St. Mark’s-- best years of his Ministry?) He led us thru the addition of Reynold’s Hall named for Bishop George Reynolds who also had a special place in his heart for St. Mark’s and the addition of about 30/40 feet of sanctuary, an alcove for the choir and a sacristy for preparing the bread and wine for communion and a place to “dress” (Robe?) for the Service. In April, 1989, during Father Dedmon’s tenure, Jim Pace was ordained to the sacred order of Priests at St. Mark’s by Bishop Reynolds. (A lot going on for such a small Church on the hill in Antioch, TN) The first worship service in the new enlarged worship space was held on December 22, 1991. In April, 1994, Father Dedmon was promoted to the Diocese as Canon to the Ordinary and said goodbye to St. Mark’s.
Father Bob spoke of the many fun events during his time at St. Mark’s. (We agree we would not share all of them, especially the overnight Vestry meetings at St. Mary’s!) Between the 8:00 and 10:30 Service, we had a wonderful breakfast (Compliments DOK) with Father Bob during which the stories were continued. (1986-1994)
Leg four on our journey. On Sunday, March 15, Father Scott Lee traveled almost 1000 miles from Stratford, CT, to continue the—our—story. Father Scott actually joined St. Mark’s way back in July 1987 when he was assigned by Bishop Herlong to St. Mark’s as VEP Person, and in April 1988, Scott was invited to apply as Postulant for Holy Orders in the Diocese of Tennessee. In September, 1989 he entered Seminary at Sewanee and in September, 1994 Father Scott Lee was appointed Vicar of St. Mark’s by Bishop Herlong.
Then in January 2000, approximately 60 members of St. Mark’s congregation gathered at Christ Church Cathedral for Holy Eucharist that opened the 168th Annual Convention, and marched behind St. Mark’s banner, when The Right Reverend Bertram N. Herlong announced Saint Mark’s had become a parish. A few moments later, Bishop Herlong announced that Reverend Scott Lee was formally installed as St. Mark’s first Rector. (Knowing Scott, the tears of joy had to be flowing! I suspect he could not utter a sound!) On January 30, 2000, St. Mark’s first service as a Parish was celebrated.
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