History
St. Mark's was organized as a mission church in May 1895, a few months after Bay City itself was established as a town and the seat of Matagorda County. Previously, the county seat had been located on the southern edge of the county in the town of Matagorda. A large part of the congregation of the oldest Episcopal church in Texas, Christ Church of Matagorda, became the founding members of the church in Bay City in 1894 and 1895.
Bishop Kinsolving placed the cornerstone of the present building on November 23, 1910. The building was completed early in 1911 and consecrated the same year. This was when most of the lovely stained-glass windows were installed. These windows memorialize lives of men and women linked with the development of Bay City and Matagorda County. Names of their descendants can still be found on St. Mark's roles today! Our congregation has brought forth four bi-vocational priests.
Bishop Kinsolving placed the cornerstone of the present building on November 23, 1910. The building was completed early in 1911 and consecrated the same year. This was when most of the lovely stained-glass windows were installed. These windows memorialize lives of men and women linked with the development of Bay City and Matagorda County. Names of their descendants can still be found on St. Mark's roles today! Our congregation has brought forth four bi-vocational priests.
Because of St. Mark's vision to expand health care to underserved citizens of Matagorda County, Matagorda Health Outreach Program (MEHOP) originated. It grew from a mobile van to multiple buildings providing dental, medical, surgical, maternal child health, and mental health care. MEHOP has become a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and has rebranded to Vibrance Health.
St. Mark's was the birthplace of the Medical Mission to Honduras which we organized for many years. Annually, we hosted a tremendously successful Fajita Dinner to raise funds for the mission. Medications were procured and packaged for transport by church members. In time, this medical mission to Honduras has ceased to exist.
St. Mark's was the birthplace of the Medical Mission to Honduras which we organized for many years. Annually, we hosted a tremendously successful Fajita Dinner to raise funds for the mission. Medications were procured and packaged for transport by church members. In time, this medical mission to Honduras has ceased to exist.
