Our Church Community
On behalf of everyone at St Mark’s Church a very warm welcome to your local Anglican Church and the village of Mark Cross.
St Mark’s continues to play a full and active role within the village of Mark Cross and surrounding areas.
The Congregation covers all ages and attempts to offer a variety of styles of worship to accommodate various tastes all within a broadly evangelical outlook.
Mark Cross parish church was built in 1851, not as a church, but as a national school for village children aged between 4 and 11. This explains why it doesn't have the customary east/west alignment. In 1873 a new larger school was built on land bought and the old school building was then adapted and extended to provide a chapel and consecrated as the parish church, dedicated to St Mark.
The remarkable church clock was given by the parishioners and their friends to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. The clock face is mounted over the front entry door and the mechanism is installed in the kitchen at the back of the church. The ingenious overhead linkage is worthy of particular note.
The church in recent years undertook considerable re-ordering and a new vestry and the addition of a toilet, kitchen and a creation of a lounge area has enhanced the appearance of the church building and at the same time provided facilities for a modern day congregation and its mission activities.
The last resident vicar of Mark Cross died in 1975 and the vicarage was then sold and the Parish linked with Rotherfield in a Combined Benefice in 1984.
The congregation at St Mark’s is warm and friendly, providing a generous welcome to all newcomers. And whilst the parish may be numerically small, the local church family is big in heart. It continues to provide weekly acts of worship both traditional and modern and seeks to support school and community and in all it does, it hoping to make Christ known both in words and action.
You are most welcome to join us. Those who do so are often surprised to discover such a thriving, all-age, family orientated community.
On Thursdays the pupils at Mark Cross CE Primary visit the Church for an assembly with Mr Rogers or our RE lead, Mrs Balmer.
Sunday Services
St Mark’s enjoys a good relationship with its Benefice partner, St Denys’ Church at Rotherfield.
1st Sunday of the month:
11.15am Family Service
For all ages and is child friendly, lasting around 40 minutes.
2nd Sunday of the month:
8.00am Holy Communion
A traditional service following the Book of Common Prayer.
3rd Sunday of the month:
11.15am Parish Communion with Children's Sunday Club
A traditional service following the Book of Common Prayer, with Sunday Club for children.
4th Sunday of the month:
8.00am Holy Communion
A traditional service following the Book of Common Prayer.
11.15am Matins (BCP)
A traditional service without communion.
5th Sunday of the month:
10.00am United Morning Worship
(Alternate 5th Sundays with St Denys', Rotherfield.
Evening Services:
6.00pm Evening Worship (taking place at St Denys’ Church, Rotherfield)
1st Sunday – Holy Communion
2nd Sunday – Reflective services of Taize, Celtic and Night Prayer
3rd Sunday – Evensong (BCP)
4th Sunday – Refreshment Praise (modern worship songs)
5th Sunday – Prayers around Church
House Group
Our House-group play an important role within the life of the church. The Group meet alternate weeks to study, discuss and reflect on passages from the Bible. It provides an opportunity for church-members to grow in their faith and understanding in a warm and relaxed atmosphere. The Group are very supportive and is an ideal way for newcomers to get to know others. Please do speak to the Vicar if you would like to know more.
Baptisms, Weddings & Funerals
For enquiries and further information, please contact the Vicar.
Rotherfield St Martin (RSM)
RSM is a benefice church-in-community project to provide support and a variety of activities for elderly residents within Rotherfield and the surrounding area. For further information, please contact the office on 01892 853021.
MC Jolly Tots
Mark Cross baby and toddler group welcomes parents and carers to meet and socialise. A friendly relaxed environment with toys to play with, songs to sing and tea to drink. Please come and join us at Mark Cross Church, meeting every 1st, 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month at 9.15am - 11.15am.