Church History

On November 6, 1931, a small group of Christians holding a prayer meeting decided to start a church.

With great vision and hope, this group called The Reverend J.S. Stokes as their Pastor, purchased land on 11th Street North, and named their humble gathering St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church.

In 1932, the Reverend James Atkinson was called as St. Mark’s second Pastor. Under his direction, the first Sunday School was organized as well as the church’s first choir. The construction of the first sanctuary took place under his leadership. This edifice was designed with a pool under the choir stand and indoor rest rooms.

St. Mark’s third Pastor, The Reverend S.C. Caldwell was called in October 1939. Under his leadership, the first sanctuary was dedicated in 1939. He served 10 years.

With the calling of The Reverend W.J. Glover in November 1949, St. Mark experienced tremendous growth. In the following decades, a new edifice and fellowship hall were constructed, a parsonage was added, a marquee was installed as well as the laying of the Corner Stone.

During the illness and demise of The Rev. W.J. Glover, we were under the divine leadership of The Reverend Isaac McNeal. With the passing of The Reverend W.J. Glover in 1988, St. Mark began its search for a new Pastor.

Installing its fifth leader, The Reverend David Thompson, Jr., on February 16, 1989. Under his leadership, our new edifice was constructed at 1301 37th Street South and dedicated on March 24, 1991.

Our current leader, The Reverend Brian K. Brown, was installed as St. Mark’s sixth Pastor on June 13, 1995. Under his leadership, we have been blessed with the following events: • New church van purchased in November 1995 • A new marquee was installed in May 1996 • A double-wide shed was built in May 2001 • March 2005 - Ground Breaking for The Rev. W. J. Glover Education Wing, housing the Rev. Isaac McNeal Library, and Administrative Offices. • May 28, 2006 - Dedicatory Services for the new Education Wing, Library, and Administrative Offices.

Knowing where we’ve come from helps us understand who we are and where we’re going. Each generation of leadership from those early prayer‐meetings, through building ministries and facilities, to the present has laid a foundation so that we can serve our community, worship in truth and live out the Gospel in the 21st century. We honor our past so that we can more faithfully follow Christ and disciple one another into the future.

From our earliest days, St. Mark has sought to be more than a building we strive to be a place where people experience hope, receive help, and find healing through Christ. As a Bible-based church, our teachings and ministries align with God’s Word, and we aim to offer sanctuary, instruction, service, and community. This slogan captures our mission and identity in the greater Tampa Bay area.

Our chronological journey from a prayer meeting in 1931, through multiple building and ministry expansions, stable pastoral leadership under Rev. Brown, and organizational growth positions us to minister effectively in today’s world. Our past investments in infrastructure and people enable us to engage families, youth (especially important for your sons!), community outreach, and discipleship. In short, our history informs our present and shapes our future as we follow Christ together.