The Sentinel on the Hill
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St. Mark’s Anglican Church, located at 51 King Street in beautiful Port Hope, is surrounded by many other historic landmarks. The church is just a short jaunt from the town’s lovely main street which is designated a Heritage Conservation District. Port Hope is proud to have the largest number of historically and architecturally designated properties in Ontario.
St. Mark's was one of the first buildings in Ontario to be designated for architectural merit and historical interest. Within the aging walls of the oldest public building are echoes of many lives well lived. Come share the whispers of the past. A tiny building doesn’t survive nearly 200 years of rain, fire, and wind without being somewhat the worse for wear. And although painting, restoration and sheer determination have sustained St. Mark’s so far, the need for funds remains to preserve this unique frame church. |
Photograph courtesy of Michael Wallace, Imagelink Studio
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"The history of Port Hope lies inscribed in its oldest church as in some ancient book."
W. Arnot Crai
W. Arnot Crai
Preservation: It's What We Do
Raising Funds for Preservation
The Foundation raises funds which will be used solely for the preservation of one of Port Hope's oldest public buildings, St. Mark's Anglican Church. None of the money raised by the Foundation is used for church purposes. While the Foundation works closely with the leadership of the Church in determining which preservation projects it will fund, it is independent of the Church and the Anglican Diocese of Toronto of which St. Mark’s is a part.
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Some board members and many members of the Foundation are neither Anglicans nor members of St. Mark’s. All, however, are dedicated to preserving one of Ontario’s earliest wood frame churches and ensuring that the building, erected by community effort in 1822, remains structurally sound and aesthetically pristine. In this way, it will continue to be a Port Hope tourist attraction and landmark for generations to come. Some character defining elements of the building include its interior nave, chancel transepts, its square 3-storey tower with castellated roof and its Gothic twin and single pane lancet windows and main entrance with triple lancet doors.
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"How soft the music of those village bells. Falling at intervals upon the ear in cadence sweet!"
William Cowper
Some Church History
Captured in Print
As captured in this 1841 Bartlett print, St. Mark's has graced a beautiful hill in Port Hope for almost two centuries. One of Ontario's earliest frame churches, it was built by community effort in 1822. Elias Smith, founder of the town, donated the land on which St. Mark's was built and his headstone (1736-1820) lies in the churchyard to this day.
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The church burial ground was actually in use prior to the construction of the building and it is thought that the first sermon preached in the church was actually at a funeral. The headstones of this well-kept churchyard trace the history of the town.
Photograph, courtesy of Michael Wallace, Imagelink Studio
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Our Bell is Returned
It is interesting to note that St. Mark's actually had a bell before it had a pastor! Cast by Aspinwall of Albany, New York, it was presented to the congregation in 1826 by town developer Jonathan Walton. When the church was forced to close around 1869, a devoted warden, swearing that the bell would never ring in another church, removed it from the tower and buried it in the nearby orchard for four years!
It was returned safely when the church re-opened, although it did have a mysterious crack in it. The champions of the bell have never been discovered, but thanks to them, that same bell still rings out joyfully from the St. Mark's tower. |
A Touch of Royalty
In 1959 Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip were guests at the home of then Governor General Vincent Massey for three days. During their stay at his Batterwood Estate in Canton, they joined the congregation in worship at St. Mark's on July 26. After the service the royal couple signed the guestbook which remains on display in the church today.
Vincent Massey, first native born Governor General of Canada (1952-59), was a devoted parish member. When he died in 1967, he was buried in the churchyard alongside his wife Alice, his daughter Lilias Evva, and his son Lionel. This plot is situated on the north side of the building. |
Photograph, courtesy of Michael Wallace, Imagelink Studio
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The Church
Historical Richness
Many centuries ago, nobles decorated their shields used in jousting matches. Over time, these artistically powerful coats of arms became grants of honour from the Crown. Eligibility was, and still is, assessed in relation to one's contribution to the country. St. Mark's, with its long vibrant history, more than qualified.
During its 175th anniversary St. Mark's was granted its own coat of arms. The parish’s jubilant motto Spe tradita gaudemus sings out, "We rejoice in the hope that has been handed down to us." |
Photograph courtesy of Michael Wallace, Imagelink Studio
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Breathtaking Interior
Photograph courtesy of Michael Wallace, Imagelink Studio
The breathtaking interior of St. Mark's is painted in unique blue and gold hues. The striking blue pews celebrate the strength of the people, while the darker hue of the sanctuary ceiling indicates infinity.
Photograph courtesy of Michael Wallace, Imagelink Studio
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Gothic Doors
Once upon a time the church entrance had three beautiful Gothic arched doors. During renovations before the 1900s, the side galleries were removed. The two little side doors were deemed unnecessary so they were covered up and forgotten. Tower and west wall restoration almost 100 years later accidentally exposed these two architectural gems! Today the side doors remain as decoration at the front of the church.
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An Extraordinary Triptych
The sun streams into the St. Mark's sanctuary through a stunning set of three stained-glass windows. Gracing the east wall, they are made in a Gothic style and framed in wood. Depicting the theme of sacrifice, these imposing windows were crafted in England and installed in the late 1800s. The Colours of the Midland Regiment and the 136th Battalion, another reminder of sacrifice, also hang in the church. The extraordinary triptych above the altar (a triple picture on hinged panels) was painted by a Toronto artist Sylvia Hahn in 1957 and was given to the church by the Masseys in memory of departed family members.
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Photograph courtesy of Michael Wallace, Imagelink Studio
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Become a Member
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St. Mark’s Heritage Foundation is a federally registered charitable foundation with a single objective – to raise funds to be used solely for the preservation of one of Port Hope’s oldest public buildings, St. Mark’s Anglican Church at 51 King Street. None of the money raised by the Foundation is used for church purposes.
We hope that you will consider becoming a member of St. Mark’s Heritage Foundation. The annual membership fee is $50 for a family and $35 for an individual. If you choose to pay by PayPal or credit card please use the form to the right and the Single Membership or Family Membership payment links below. If you choose to pay by cheque please download and print the form below and send the form and your cheque to: St. Mark’s Heritage Foundation P.O. Box 34 Port Hope, Ontario L1A 3V9 Sincerely, Gordon Thompson, President, St. Mark’s Heritage Foundation 
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Our Donation Page
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St. Mark’s is a small, beautiful National Treasure which continues to face major conservation costs. The program for historically sound structural restoration needed to preserve it for future generations of Canadians proves to be expensive. The parishioners of St. Mark's continue to make best efforts to meet these costs, but help is needed.
How can you support the Foundation's important work? |
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Make a Donation
Send a gift by cheque (address below), by PayPal or by credit card (see link below)
In Memoriam gifts may be made in the same way.
In Memoriam gifts may be made in the same way.
Annual Pledge Gift
Please contact the Foundation at stmarksheritagefoundation@gmail.com or phone John Mowat, Treasurer, at 905-377-0666.
Legacy Gift
If you wish to name the Foundation in your will, please contact your legal advisor. Please contact the Foundation for any other information required.
By Cheque
St. Mark’s Heritage Foundation
P.O. Box 34 Port Hope, Ontario L1A 3V9 |
PayPal or Credit Card
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Please Note:
No part of any contribution is used for the operating expenses or religious activities of St. Mark's Church. Those funds are provided by the members of the congregation.
All gifts are acknowledged with official receipts for income tax purposes.
All gifts are acknowledged with official receipts for income tax purposes.