A Brief History of St. Mark's
St. Mark’s Parish was organized and incorporated in 1867. The original Charter was signed September 26, 1882. For many years the Rector of St. John’s, North Adams, had held services in Adams. The Episcopal women of Adams had been sewing for missions with the Congregational Church when they decided to form their own church and sew for the Episcopal missions. At first, church services were held over a store on Park Street. Later on, Mrs. Levi L. Brown offered the parish $12,000 and a building site. The site was chosen on the corner of Commercial and River Streets in Adams with parishioners contributing the additional $2,500 needed. C. W. Brocklesby of Hartford, CT was the architect and the Bartlett Bros. of East Whately, MA, did the stone work. St. Mark’s is considered an example of the handsomest of small churches in Massachusetts. Confusion about the stone used in the building differs between native blue granite and local limestone. The trim is Ohio sandstone. The steps beneath the chancel are Vermont marble.
Contrary to the usual view held that 19th century Episcopalians were almost all of British backgrounds, St. Mark’s had a very large German population. Henry H. Smythe was rector from 1881-91 and engaged a German speaking assistant in 1882. After the assistant left, Mr. Smythe was approached by a German father wishing to have his son baptized. Mr. Smythe baptized the child and began to study German himself! By 1891 there were more Germans in the congregation than English. When Mr. Smythe retired, the Vestry of St. Mark’s had to specify that the next rector speak German.
St. Mark’s has had many groups over the years...the Frauen Verein, (the German Ladies group, was which disbanded in the 1990s); Choir (junior and senior), the Women’s Guild, the Men’s Group, sports teams, Sunday School, Young Peoples’ Fellowship and Altar Guild. Some are still in existence today.
Click on the picture below to view St. Mark's original Charter
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
39 Commercial Street, P.O. Box 191, Adams, Massachusetts 01220
© 2007 St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Adams Ma.