St Mark's Church, Salisbury facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St Mark's Church
St Mark's Church
Religion
Affiliation	Church of England
Ecclesiastical or organizational status	Active
Year consecrated	1899
Location
Location	Salisbury, Wiltshire, England
Architecture
Architect(s)	Joseph A. Reeve
Architectural type	Church

St Mark's Church is a special Church of England church located in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England. It was built between 1892 and 1894 by an architect named Joseph A. Reeve. This church is considered an important historical building and has been a Grade II listed building since 1974.

Building St Mark's Church

St Mark's Church was built to serve the growing northern part of Salisbury. Many new homes were being built there at the time. Before the main church, the community used two temporary churches. The first was St. Mary Magdalene, set up in 1880. It could seat 250 people. The second was an iron church built in 1882 on St Mark's Road, which held 160 people.

As more people moved into the area, there was a need for a bigger, permanent church. In September 1890, a group led by the Bishop of Salisbury, Rev. John Wordsworth, decided to build one. A piece of land was offered, and a building committee was formed. Several architects submitted their ideas, and Joseph A. Reeve's design was chosen.

Construction Begins

The first stone of the church was laid on April 27, 1892. This special event was attended by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rev. Edward White Benson, and other bishops. The church was expected to cost about £9,000. However, only £2,500 had been raised when construction started. Because of this, they decided to build the church in stages.

The first part of the church was built by Mr. Hayes of Bristol. This included the chancel (the area around the altar), the transepts (the parts that stick out like arms of a cross), and one section of the nave (the main part where people sit). This first stage cost £6,500. When this part was finished and dedicated on April 28, 1894, there was still a debt of £2,700.

Completing the Church

Once the debt was paid off, St Mark's Church was officially consecrated (made sacred) on April 29, 1899. This ceremony was led by the Bishop of Salisbury, with help from other bishops. This event also completed the formation of the St Mark's church district.

The rest of the nave, which is the main seating area, was built between 1914 and 1915. A special entrance area called a narthex was also added. However, the planned upper part of the tower could not be built because of World War I. After the war, a memorial chapel was added to the church. The south porch, which is a covered entrance, was built in 1922. Later, in 1969, an extra section called an annexe was added. This was designed by Moss and Denham of Salisbury.

Church Design and Materials

The outside of St Mark's Church is made from stone from the Hurdcott quarries. The decorative parts and window frames use Doulting stone. Inside the church, the stone comes from Corsham Down.

When the first part of the church was finished in 1894, it could hold 500 people. The church has a Cruciform plan, meaning it is shaped like a cross. It includes a five-bay nave with aisles (side sections), a narthex, and other spaces. It also has transepts, a tower where the arms of the cross meet, a chancel with a south chapel, a south porch, an annexe, and an organ gallery.

The chancel still has its original oak fittings. It also features a window designed in 1960 by M. Maybee. The Lady chapel has beautiful stained glass windows created by Horatio Walter Lonsdale in 1898.

Historic England, a group that protects historical places, has called the church's design "ambitious." They also noted that St Mark's is important because of its connection to Bishop John Wordsworth's efforts to expand the Anglican church in Salisbury in the late 1800s.

Notable Clergy

William Wand served as the priest of St Mark's Church after his time in World War I. He later became an Archbishop in Australia and then the Bishop of London.