History

Since 1853 St. Mark's Fitzroy has been a sign of the Christian faith and the presence of the Church.

Over the years Fitzroy has had its ups and downs, and so has St Mark's. The first parishioners built a fine large building in the English style, and the services of the Church of England were celebrated with due reverence. Faithful vicars ministered to successive generations.

With the Depression came an increase in crime and poverty in Fitzroy, whose inhabitants were ministered to by the Rev. R.G. Nicholls known as 'Brother Bill' and later by the Brotherhood of St. Laurence and the Community of the Holy Name. St. Mark's Community Centre stands as a testimony to 'Brother Bill' and his work. Even after the war and the ensuing decline in most inner-city parishes, St Mark's continued its life of worship and witness.

In 1973 the Parish took on a new lease of life under Fr Ernest (Michael) King who established a tradition of daily worship. During this time the Community of St. Mark, a male religious community, was established by Fr Michael; the Brothers lived in the vicarage and assisted with parish visiting and counselling.

In 1980 the Community, feeling called to a Benedictine form of life, left Fitzroy and became St. Mark's Priory, the Benedictine monastery at Camperdown.

The Catholic tradition of worship and service at St. Mark's continued The Community Centre was established and a Social Worker and other staff and volunteers appointed.

In 1985 Fr Tony Noble was inducted as Vicar. Under his leadership the church was restored between 1991 and 1998. In 1999 the famous Harrison organ was installed to complete the project. The restoration has cost over $1 million - a tribute to the hard work and enthusiasm of the congregation.

St Mark's History

• 1849 Mission Church established
• 1853 Foundation stone laid - 1st July
• 1855 Church opened for worship - 21st January
• 1865 Gallery and stairs completed
• 1875 Tower completed
• 1885 Fr J.F. Stretch inducted as Vicar, daily services commenced
• 1889 Parish Hall and verger's cottage erected
• 1890 Mission of the Holy Redeemer begun (first welfare centre of St Mark's)
• 1894 Spire struck by lightning (first time)
• 1910 Vicarage built
• 1922 Brother Bill Nicholls inducted as Vicar, after asking Archbishop Lees "for the hardest job he could give me!"
• 1926 St Mark's Social Settlement erected (second welfare centre)
• 1945 Fitzroy changes after World War 2 - parish suffers loss of people
• 1973 Fr E. King becomes Parish Priest - church interior refurbished. Daily Mass introduced
• 1975 Community of St Mark formed
• 1980 St Mark's Community Centre established (third welfare centre)
• 1982 Spire struck by lightning (second time)
• 1985 Fr Tony Noble inducted as Vicar. Daily Mass recommenced
• 1986 AIDS Ministry started
• 1991 Restoration Appeal launched
• 1992 Major restoration work begun. Spire struck by lightning (third time)
• 1994 Stage 1 of Restoration Project completed (cost $250,000)
• 1997 Restoration Stage 2 commenced - external stonework (cost $130,000)
• 1998 Restoration of church completed (cost $350,000). Harrison Organ obtained from St Luke's Church, Cowley, England. Restored church reopened on 1st November
• 1999 Installation of Harrison Organ
• 2000 Total cost of restoration exceeds $1,000,000
• 2003 St. Marks celebrates 150 years since the first foundation stone was laid. Fr Tony Noble accepts position as Rector of All Saints', San Diego U.S.A., Fr David Robarts takes over as locum tenens Vicar
• 2004 Fr Philip Murphy inducted as Vicar