1849

Rev. Frederick Mooshake, a Lutheran minister from Goettingen University in Germany, arrived to minister to immigrants in San Francisco.

1863

An early church, St. Markus Evangelical Lutheran Church whose name reflected our German heritage, was built on Geary Street in Union Square on the current site of Macy’s.

1894

June 24. Cornerstone laid for present church building, St. Markus Kirche, during the tenure of Rev. Julius Fuendeling, pastor for 29 years from 1883-1912. A German-American architect, Henry Geilfuss, designed the grand unique red brick church with Romanesque Revival style exterior and Gothic Revival interior.

1895

March 10. Present building, costing $56,000, was dedicated. The chandelier from Germany and the Schoenstein organ, both donated by sugar tycoon Claus Spreckels, were transferred from the Geary Street Church to the new church. Ninety four years later, the chandelier was destroyed in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.

1906

April 18. The devastating San Francisco earthquake and subsequent fires destroyed much of the city. Though the church was damaged (the east tower was weakened and the cross melted from heat of the fires), it escaped destruction and served as a refuge for victims made homeless. The church stood even after dynamite explosions were set off a block away at O’Farrell and Van Ness in an effort to stop the fires.

1944

The chancel was refurbished for the 50th anniversary of the building’s construction.

1947-1949

Renovations to interior of church and installation of Moeller organ

1949

Centennial Celebration of the founding of St. Mark’s.

c1950

Renovations to altar and installation of Ascension Window.

1966

Martin Luther Tower residence for seniors and the Urban Life Center (containing auditorium, meeting rooms, and offices) were constructed during urban renewal of the Western Addition vicinity, as dilapidated Victorian houses made way for redevelopment. These two buildings, the plaza, and the existing St. Mark’s Church formed what became known as St. Mark’s Square.

1971

St. Mark’s was designated San Francisco Landmark #41 in recognition of the church’s historical and architectural significance.

1982

Launched “Vision ’87” fundraising program to restore the church and build a new front entry plaza and ramp.

1984

June 1. Adopted an LGBT-inclusive Statement of Welcome, becoming one of the first Reconciling in Christ congregations. The statement is updated to its present form about 3 decades later.

1986

St. Mark’s obtained full ownership of Martin Luther Tower.

1987

Groundbreaking and dedication of new front entry plaza and ramp.

1989

October 17. Loma Prieta earthquake caused minor damage to the church. City-mandated seismic retrofit was subsequently required for all unreinforced masonry buildings, including St. Mark’s.

June 4. Garrison Keillor gave benefit performance in sanctuary as a kick-off fundraiser to retrofit the church building.

1998

Launched “A New Century Dawns” capital campaign for renovation of church.

2005

Scenes for the Hollywood movie “RENT” filmed in St. Mark’s sanctuary.

2005

Launched “Forward in Faith—Serving a New Century” capital campaign for renovation of church.

2005

October 9. Opened a time capsule found by a worker under the church foundation soon after renovation work began. The copper strongbox was discovered in a large sandstone block snuggled under an arched brick niche. The fragile water damaged contents included several San Francisco newspapers in German and English, a German hymnal, a German copy of the Augsburg Confession, an 1863 US silver half dollar coin minted in San Francisco. The newspapers dated the time capsule as 1863. The capsule was probably brought from the previous church on Geary Street during construction of the present church. Our church archives indicate there is another time capsule sealed in 1894, probably encased within the old cornerstone of the present church.

2005-2006

Church building closed for $11 million extensive renovation and earthquake safety retrofit. (June 2005-December 2006)

2006

December 10. Beautifully restored church reopened and rededicated in “Fling Wide the Doors” celebration following the extensive retrofit and restoration project. Despite the many improvements and complete restoration (including, structural systems designed to withstand earthquake forces, new slate roof, exterior repairs, expanded Heritage Hall, and new nursery, kitchen, bathrooms, flooring, plumbing, electrical, lighting, audio system, painting, stenciling, gilding, carpet, pew cushions, and magnificent organ) great care was taken to preserve and restore the exterior and sanctuary much like they appeared in 1895.

2007

March 25. Dedication of tracker organ made by Taylor & Boody Organbuilders in Virginia and installed in balcony of sanctuary.

2007

September 15. St. Mark’s awarded a 2007 Preservation Design Award by the California Preservation Foundation.

2007

October 28. A new time capsule was sealed on Reformation Sunday for reopening in fifty years in 2057 by our future sisters and brothers in Christ.

2008

Launched “Forward in Faith—Together in Mission” capital campaign to reduce renovation debt, and a tithe toward an elevator fund and ministry to our sister congregation in El Salvador.

2018

Following a successful capital campaign, another round of much-needed rennovations is complete, including a new Sanctuary floor, repaired stained glass windows, and an elevator connecting all three stories of the church building.

2022

St. Mark's adops a Land Acknowledgment Statement. A mural titled "All Creatures Great and Small" is painted on the North side of the Urban Life Center; the mural celebrates Bay Area native plants and animals.

Late 2024

St. Mark's breaks ground and begins construction on a new 95-unit senior affordable housing building on St. Mark’s Square, Ella Rohlffs Place. Numerous other rennovations to the Square are part of this plan.
On Reformation Sunday, the Congregation of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church takes the opportunity to give thanks to God for leading and guiding us in our 175-year history. Bishop Jeff Johnson preaches.