St. Mark has celebrated the 86th Anniversary of its founding. The official date of its founding was August 5, 1923. The original name of the church was St. John the Baptist Lutheran Church. The congregation started with 100 people coming from Steubenville, Mingo Junction and Plum Run, Ohio and also Weirton and Colliers, West Virginia.

At that time, worship services were held at Swartz Hall or Lincoln School depending on which location was available for the day. Just 21 months after the establishment of the organization, the congregation decided on a permanent place for worship. On October 17, 1926, the dedication of the new church was held. Pastor J. Manka served the congregation from October 1923 to 1928 as their first Pastor. In 1955, the name of the church was changed from St. John the Baptist Lutheran Church to St. Mark Lutheran Church to avoid confusion with another St. John Lutheran Church in the Steubenville area. 1956 brought a search for a site to build a new church.

1958 saw the purchase of the site and in August of 1963, architectural drawings for the new church building were reviewed. In 1964, members of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of Wolf Run, Ohio joined into full membership with St. Mark Lutheran Church.

By May of 1966, the new church was dedicated at the present location-133 Lovers Lane. The church, through the Men's Club, Mary of Bethany Guild - LWML and our local AAL Thrivent Branch have been active in supporting community organization such as the Urban Mission as well as mission work in other communities and countries. During the holidays, we distribute food baskets to those in need as well as maintaining a small food bank year round. Vacation Bible School provides outreach to the children of our community and their parents.

In 2002, a group called The Holy Rollers was formed. This gifted and dedicated group gets together every Wednesday to bake nut, fruit and poppy seed rolls which are sold at the Farmer's Market in downtown Steubenville. Proceeds go to various needs within the local community.

Not every moment of the last 85 years has been easy. History shows times of overwhelming trials along with peace and joy - the fruit of faith and success. But there will be more challenges ahead. With the guiding Hand of God, we rejoice, for it is His Plan, His Purpose and His Kingdom we are called to serve by His Grace.

The future of our congregation looks bright in the knowledge that while there are still many new and perhaps trying times ahead,
God is with us as He has always been. So let us go forward, united and full of trust in Jesus, who alone is the Way, the Truth and the Life. He will accompany us as we continue on our journey!


We would like to acknowledge with gratitude the past and present Pastors and Vicars of St. Mark Lutheran Church.
They are as follows: