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A Brief History of St. Mark's Lutheran
Church
During the beginning of the gold rush, a young pastor by
the name of Frederick Mooshake came from Germany to San
Francisco. He wanted to organize a church made up of the
German Lutherans coming to the city. The congregation
that he founded, St. Mark's Lutheran, is the oldest
Lutheran congregation west of the Rocky Mountains.
In the early days, the congregation was so small that
services were held in the pastor's and members' homes.
In 1895, the congregation dedicated the church building
still used today. The building survived the devastating
earthquake of 1906, serving in the days following as a
first aid station and a place where people came to look
for relatives and to take shelter. The major earthquake
in 1989 also left the building standing, but caused the
need for a seismic retrofit.
As the area changed during periods of neighborhood
redevelopment, so did St. Mark's. In 1966, Martin Luther
Tower, a thirteen-story senior residence building, was
constructed. The Urban Life Center followed, with space
for church offices, non-profit agencies, and other
programs. Landmark status was given to St. Mark's in
1971. The needs of the neighborhood and the commitment
of the congregation have resulted in a remarkable list
of ministries provided by St. Mark's. Among these
programs are Martin Luther Tower, Cathedral Hill Senior
Center, Super Saturday for the youth of the Tenderloin,
a homeless shelter every year for two to three weeks for
65 men, the Friendship Banquet for people living with
HIV, a nursing home ministry, Project Open Hand, and the
Cathedral Hill Food Bank.
In November 1999, the congregation ratified the proposal
that Martin Luther Tower Corporation enter into
partnership with a senior living company to build on St.
Mark's Square. This partnership, along with a successful
capital campaign, will provide the funds to retrofit and
renovate the historic church building.
Under the current leadership of Pastor Elizabeth Ekdale, Associate Pastor Christian Jennert, Music Director Rodney Gehrke, and many dedicated
members, St. Mark's continues to offer special
opportunities to worship, learn and serve. You are
invited to become a part of this historic faith
community in San Francisco.
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