Our church has history
St Mark the Evangelist Anglican Church is part of the Anglican Diocese of Brisbane. A church on this site has served the people of Clayfield, Albion and Wooloowin since 1887. The church building you are in was designed by architects Conrad Gargett and completed in 1964. Some important items from the previous church on this site have been incorporated.
The triptych included in the stained-glass war memorial window behind the altar was designed by Charles Tute, a renowned English stained-glass artist who migrated to Australia before World War I. It was made by R S Exton & Co of Ann Street, Brisbane and first installed in the original church. The middle panel was donated in 1917 by Mrs Fullerton and her daughters in memory of son and brother Lieutenant Jack Treverne Hockin. The panels either side were added after the war ended and represent St John and St Mary.
Subsequently this triptych was installed in the new church as the central focus of a larger window and now includes large Army, Navy, RAAF and Red Cross crests as well as a red, white and blue flag set in leadlight glass. This work was undertaken by Oliver Cowley of Brisbane.
The text at the base of the window reads:
This group of windows is dedicated to the Glory of God and in loving memory of the men and women of this parish who made the supreme sacrifice in world conflicts since 1914 and is a thanks offering from those who cherish the freedom thus ensured by their sacrifice.
The windows on either side of the sanctuary were also relocated from the previous building. On the left these depict St Mark as the lion, a signifier of the Gospel of Mark. On the right at the western end of the church is a timber World War I Honour Board. It lists 111 men from the congregation who served during the war and identifies the 32 who lost their lives. A current parishioner has visited and photographed all these graves.
In the north-western corner of the church is a memorial to the Revd John Frederick Barge. His sister, a Mrs Armstrong, lived in this parish, so when Revd John stayed with her, he visited St Mark’s and occasionally preached. Redv John accepted a post in New Guinea and when the Japanese invaded stayed to continue working with his congregation. On 31 October 1943 he was killed with sword and shot by the Japanese. His walking stick, citation and photograph is on display next to the World War I honour board. Of the 333 Christians considered to be the Martyrs of New Guinea during World War II, 197 were Roman Catholic and 12 Anglican.
The stained-glass window in the west wall of the church is a memorial to Canon Osborn, who served in various south Queensland parishes from 1878 to 1920, including the adjacent parish of Lutwyche.
In 2017 the church was heritage listed by the Brisbane City Council.
Today the parish remains strong in living out a rich ministry and mission that has been built over the decades by the ministers who have served and a continuous community of faithful parishioners.
Services on Sundays are at 8.30am and all are welcome to experience the traditions and joy of worshipping God through Christ in this historical and well-loved place.