CHURCH HISTORY:
The St. Mark Church of God In Christ is a part of the nation's largest Pentecostal body, the predominately black 6.5 million-member Church of God In Christ denomination headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. The Church of God In Christ also is the nation's fastest growing Protestant body, with churches throughout the world. The St. Mark Church of God In Christ is an active part of the South Carolina Jurisdiction of the Church of God In Christ under the leadership of Bishop Johnie James Johnson.
The St. Mark Church of God In Christ ministry started in 1929 in the home of the late mother Grace Jones on York Street Camden South Carolina. In the same year, a preacher by the name of Elder Worth was appointed as the first Pastor. He later moved the church to a storefront on Lyttleton and York Street.
In 1932 Elder Maven became the second Pastor and moved the church to Market and York Street, the next year 1933 he moved the church to 710 Calhoun Street along with deacon Charlie Alexander, mother Lizzie Alexander, mother Joesire Jones the church secretary, sister Rosa Bell Robinson, and sister Rebecca Brown. The church at that time was a tent and the floors were sprinkled with sawdust. When the “Old Saints” got together and filled the tent with praises and songs, they would shout up a cloud of dust from the floor, that’s how they arrived with the name of the church Sawdust Trail Church of God In Christ.
In 1937 Bishop J.W. Wilson became the third Pastor of the church. He rebuilt the church and name it Saint Mark Church Of God In Christ. He later became the state bishop of South Carolina and the continue to grow under his leadership. He served until 1974 when the Lord call him from labor to reward.
In 1976 Elder Carson McKenney became the fourth Pastor of the Saint Mark Church Of God In Christ and served until he was placed on emeritus status in 1993.
In 1993 Supt. Sammy C. Smith became the fifth Pastor of the Saint Mark Church Of God In Christ. He later turn the work over to one of his sons in the gospel Elder Thomas C. Bell.
In 1994 Elder Thomas C. Bell became the sixth Pastor of the Saint Mark Church Of God In Christ, where served until the Lord gave him a new vision in July 2001 at that time Supt. Smith sent Elder Shelly Hardy Jr., another son of the gospel to work with the Saint Mark Church.
In 2002 Elder Shelly Hardy Jr. became the seventh Pastor of the Saint Mark Church Of God In Christ. Elder Hardy and his late wife Carolyn and children Anthony and LaTanya has been a blessing to the ministry. Saint Mark under the leadership of Pastor Hardy has remodel the sanctuary paved the parking lot, purchase Church sign and steeple. On May 11, 2017 First Lady Carolyn J. Hardy was called home by the Lord from labor to reward.
Saint Mark is growing and expanding to new heights unknown. On December 5, 2018 Pastor Shelly Hardy Jr., married First Lady Nicole M. Hardy, they have continue to build Saint Mark Church of God In Christ Church by adding a handicap ramp to the front of the Church and inside the building, starred a Facebook live bible study class, created a Church cash app, the vision is coming into fruition.
The St. Mark Church of God In Christ is a part of the nation's largest Pentecostal body, the predominately black 6.5 million-member Church of God In Christ denomination headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. The Church of God In Christ also is the nation's fastest growing Protestant body, with churches throughout the world. The St. Mark Church of God In Christ is an active part of the South Carolina Jurisdiction of the Church of God In Christ under the leadership of Bishop Johnie James Johnson.
The St. Mark Church of God In Christ ministry started in 1929 in the home of the late mother Grace Jones on York Street Camden South Carolina. In the same year, a preacher by the name of Elder Worth was appointed as the first Pastor. He later moved the church to a storefront on Lyttleton and York Street.
In 1932 Elder Maven became the second Pastor and moved the church to Market and York Street, the next year 1933 he moved the church to 710 Calhoun Street along with deacon Charlie Alexander, mother Lizzie Alexander, mother Joesire Jones the church secretary, sister Rosa Bell Robinson, and sister Rebecca Brown. The church at that time was a tent and the floors were sprinkled with sawdust. When the “Old Saints” got together and filled the tent with praises and songs, they would shout up a cloud of dust from the floor, that’s how they arrived with the name of the church Sawdust Trail Church of God In Christ.
In 1937 Bishop J.W. Wilson became the third Pastor of the church. He rebuilt the church and name it Saint Mark Church Of God In Christ. He later became the state bishop of South Carolina and the continue to grow under his leadership. He served until 1974 when the Lord call him from labor to reward.
In 1976 Elder Carson McKenney became the fourth Pastor of the Saint Mark Church Of God In Christ and served until he was placed on emeritus status in 1993.
In 1993 Supt. Sammy C. Smith became the fifth Pastor of the Saint Mark Church Of God In Christ. He later turn the work over to one of his sons in the gospel Elder Thomas C. Bell.
In 1994 Elder Thomas C. Bell became the sixth Pastor of the Saint Mark Church Of God In Christ, where served until the Lord gave him a new vision in July 2001 at that time Supt. Smith sent Elder Shelly Hardy Jr., another son of the gospel to work with the Saint Mark Church.
In 2002 Elder Shelly Hardy Jr. became the seventh Pastor of the Saint Mark Church Of God In Christ. Elder Hardy and his late wife Carolyn and children Anthony and LaTanya has been a blessing to the ministry. Saint Mark under the leadership of Pastor Hardy has remodel the sanctuary paved the parking lot, purchase Church sign and steeple. On May 11, 2017 First Lady Carolyn J. Hardy was called home by the Lord from labor to reward.
Saint Mark is growing and expanding to new heights unknown. On December 5, 2018 Pastor Shelly Hardy Jr., married First Lady Nicole M. Hardy, they have continue to build Saint Mark Church of God In Christ Church by adding a handicap ramp to the front of the Church and inside the building, starred a Facebook live bible study class, created a Church cash app, the vision is coming into fruition.