Learn about the United Methodist Church and what United Methodists Believe
If you are looking for a church home, we invite you to consider uniting with St. Mark's United Methodist Church. Those of us here at St. Mark's have found that a Christian life is best lived a community of faith, where we can nurture each other in the ministries to which God has called us. Church membership symbolizes our commitment to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
If you would like to consider membership at St. Mark's, the next step is to attend one of our New Member Classes. At the class, you will have a chance to learn more about the church, get to know our pastor and to discover what is required of members at St. Mark's.
To find out about the next New Member Class call the church office at 913-722-2310.
For more information, call or e-mail the church office.
The Sacrament of Holy Baptism is an outward and visible sign of God's grace entering the life of an individual in a special way. It is God's activity, and we as the people of God are privileged to participate with God when we celebrate this sacrament. Because we view baptism as God's gracious activity, the United Methodist Church practices infant, youth, and adult baptism. If you desire baptism, please call or e-mail the church for more information.
St. Mark's can trace its heritage to the home of Mary Alice Garrett Cope in 1923, where the first visioneers met to establish a Methodist Church on the Sante Fe Trail. That group soon grew too large for that home and plans were made to build a church building at the corner of 64th and Floyd. The members built the church building with their own hands, completing the job in 1924. The church was named Tower Grove Methodist Episcopol Church South.
Following World War II, the Rev. Dr. William C. Hanson became pastor. The congregation continued to grow, and a larger building could not be placed on the small property, so a bold decision was made to move to a a larger location at the present location.
A building program was launched and the congregation moved, literally walked from the old location to the new location some three blocks away, one bright Sunday morning in 1950. There, St. Mark's On the Santa Fe Trail United Methodist Church came to life to serve Johnson County and the Greater Kansas City area.
In 1954, Rev. Hanson retired, and we were assigned a new pastor, Neil Hiatt, and St. Mark's continued to grow until the then-sanctuary, our present chapel, was again too small. In 1957, the present Sanctuary was completed beside the chapel. God continued to bless St. Mark's with growth, as northeast Johnson County blossomed.
An Education wing and new offices were constructed on the west side of the Sanctuary in 1965.
New pastors have come, served, and gone. New Members have joined, been born, raised in the Christian faith, some have died and been buried, some have moved to other areas of the city and country, but the community of faith has remained strong and continues to reach out in new and more meaningful ways to touch the lives of people all over the world.
Our current Pastor, Larry Keller, inspires each person to learn and grow in their faith-journey. It is with a vision of the future, firmly grounded in a strong heritage, that St. Mark's approaches the 21st Century with Hope and Faith that God will continue to bless and lead this congregation of the United Methodist Church to bring the message of Christ to a world in much need of Love, Grace and Peace.
The Vision for St. Mark's on the Santa Fe Trail Unite Methodist Church, for now, through the year 2010and beyond, is that the entire congregation place Christ first and foremost in their lives.
We envision St. Mark's being strongly engaged in serving the physical, mental and spiritual needs of our church membership, our neighborhood community and our national and world community to the best of our God-given abilities, all to God's Honor and Glory.
We envision that this church will strive to attract children, youth, and adults as active participants in our church and community-related activities, as well as into our membership.
We envision the utilization of the skills and knowledge of our adult members to "spread the Good News" and to nurture our youth in the way of God.
Vision goals are to be pursued through all areas of our church life and activities.
Through God's Grace, guidance and direction, St. Mark's will experience a closer walk with God through or service.