St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church
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A Brief History of St. Mark's​

The first documented activity of Lutherans in the north Alabama region began with 
Mrs. Joseph C. Hawkins, of Huntsville, in 1942. She assumed the responsibility of 
contacting a Lutheran pastor to conduct services for a few Lutherans residing in 
Huntsville. The services were first conducted in her home; later, the group assembled 
in the Russell Erskine Hotel for Lutheran worship.

During the immediate post-World War II period, activities at Redstone Arsenal were 
sharply curtailed. Then in 1950, the Army transferred its small group of German 
rocket and missile scientists to Huntsville to re-activate Redstone Arsenal and 
develop Marshall Space Flight Center. These men and their families had come to 
America under the guidance of the U.S. Army and were 1st settled in El Paso, TX.
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From this initial small group, they were able to secure earnest money to purchase 
the first church property, a funeral home to be converted into the first church 
and a house for the parsonage. This property was located on the northwest corner 
of Franklin and Longwood Drive.

On February 1, 1951, mission developer, the Reverend George F. Hart was sent to 
organize the work in Huntsville. By October 1951, 77 adults and 43 children were 
enrolled for membership. 66 of the confirmed members were German scientists and 
their wives when the congregation was organized formally on Reformation Day, 1951.

On February 5, 1952, the Reverend George F. Hart was installed as St. Mark’s first 

pastor. On September 9, 1956, a ground-breaking service was held for the original 
sanctuary on the southeast corner of Franklin Street and Longwood Drive (current 
location).
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On April 28, 1957 the church facility was officially dedicated. The new structure 
consisted of the church proper, a parlor and a pastor’s study. The seating capacity 
of the nave was 250. An additional 150 could be seated in the adjoining parlor at 
the rear of the nave.

Since this humble beginning, St. Marks facilities have been updated and renovated 
numerous times:
  • 1963: Educational Wing
  • 1965: Westmoreland Avenue property purchased
  • 1966: Nave addition including a balcony
  • 1990: Renovation of entrance, the narthex, the fellowship hall & kitchen
  • 2004: New sanctuary
  • 2010: Parking lot​
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St. Mark’s has been blessed with its spiritual leadership through the years. The 
following list of pastors have faithfully led the congregation here:
  • Rev. George F. Hart
  • Rev. Curtis E. Derrick, Jr.
  • Rev. Robert H. Loshuertos
  • Rev. Henry M. Williams
  • Rev. W. Vernon Luckey, Jr.
  • Rev. Dennis R. Fakes
  • Rev. Gary Soop​
​But, the full story of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church can be told by its devoted and 
diverse members through the years. The faces, hair and clothing styles may have 
changed, but the commitment of service to our Lord has remained strong and unwavering.
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