The church has been a much-cherished place of worship for succeeding generations since 1878 and is a conspicuous landmark, standing tall on Bunker's Hill.
It was designed in red sandstone by the eminent Victorian architect William Butterfield - also responsible for Keble College, Oxford - in magnificent Gothic revival style. The 150ft high bell tower creates the impression of a large church. It is an extravagant building, reflecting deep devotion to God.
Sir John Betjeman, a leading authority on architecture and particularly Victorian Church architecture, described St Mark's as "Butterfield at his best".
St Mark's has also been described as "one of the few buildings in Belfast designed by an English architect of the first rank".
The renowned Christian apologist, Oxford academic and writer CS Lewis was baptised in St Mark's - the record is to be seen in the baptismal register - and he spent his childhood in the parish.
Visitors come from far afield to see where he spent some of his formative years.
The writer of "Mere Christianity" and of "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" left an imprint on St Mark's.
In 1932 he and his brother presented a window in the south aisle in memory of their parents and the three lights depict St Luke, St James and St Mark.
St James is holding a chalice, similar to that in the Communion Silver presented to the church by the Lewis family in 1908 and still used and treasured today.
CS Lewis also left a portrait of his grandfather - the first Rector of St Mark's - to the parish in 1963, and it hangs in the church hall.
In 1991 the stonework of the church was surveyed and found to be in very bad condition. In some parts the erosion was extensive and alarming. A protective railing had to be placed round the base of the tower to give protection from any pieces of sandstone which might fall.
It was clear that the longer remedial work was delayed, the worse the problems would become and the more it would cost.
Repairs were estimated to cost over £1,000,000. It was a tough decision to spend so much money on a church building, no matter how much it is loved. But St Mark's could not be left to fall down. It either had to be repaired, or demolished and replaced by a modern building. Either would be very costly.
In faith, it was decided to proceed with the restoration work. The sum required was daunting, but the parishioners have themselves already raised £300,000.
Work on the South and North sides of the Church has been completed. Stonework was repaired, and in some cases replaced with red sandstone imported from Scotland. The total cost was £186,000. This phase attracted a grant of £100,000 from the European Regional Development Fund, reflecting the importance attached to the church's heritage.
Work on the East end has been completed at a cost of £107,000 plus VAT and fees. This phase attracted a grant of £47,000 from the Historic Monuments Branch of the Department of the Environment.
That leaves the extensive restoration of the stonework of the magnificent bell tower which is causing most concern. It is expected to cost £553,000 plus VAT and professional fees but the timescale will depend on monies raised.
St Mark's Church is a Grade A listed building and the Historic Monuments section of the Department of the Environment is prepared to pay up to one third of the cost of work, with a limit of £25,000 in any one year.
If you are:
If you would like to help us with a donation or require more detailed information please contact the Rector:
The Reverend James Campbell
4 Sydenham Avenue
Belfast
Northern Ireland
Tel. (01232) 659047
For international calls
(00441232) 659047
The printing of this brochure is the kind gift of a parishioner.
