pgcr Information

Saint Mark's is a growing, urban parish with strong emphases on the worship of God and service to God's people, especially the poor and needy. A parish of theEpiscopal Diocese of Pennsylvania, we treasure our Anglo-Catholic tradition and outlook, joined to a Eucharist-centered, socially progressive, deeply sacramental expression of Christian faith. Service to those in need is the one of two markers of the parish's identity. Saint Mark's has operated a Food Cupboard for more than 30 years that provides pantry staples, and the Saturday Soup Bowl feeds nearly 200 hungry people every Saturday morning. Saint Mark's was also instrumental in the 2011 founding of St. James School - a tuition-free independent urban middle school for children from low-income families - at an abandoned church in North Philadelphia. Ministry to and with families with children is an area of necessary growth and renewed attention in the parish. On Sundays during the school year, the 9 a.m. Family Mass is designed to be more accessible for families with young children and the continued growth of this Mass is one of the top long-term goals identified by the parish. The Family Mass also features the Saint Mark's Choir of Boys & Girls, established in 2013. The choir provides children and youth ages seven to 17 with an outstanding after-school music education with professional choral training, music theory, and leadership development. A Summer Choir Camp is held at Saint Mark's annually in early August. Saint Mark's seeks to provide opportunities for Christian formation for young and old and for people in various stages of their spiritual journey. The parish community is always aware that this kind of formation happens best when being attentive to developing the gifts of the community, and providing individuals paths to discovery and transformation in the context of an active parish.