St. Mark's Church

KEMP, RINGGOLD, THOMPSON, TRIMBLE, CHAMBERS

Posted By: Anne Hermann (email)
Date: 4/9/2009 at 17:10:56

Maquoketa Excelsior
December 10, 1881

St. Mark’s Church.

This edifice is nearly completed. Opening services will be held in it on Wednesday, the 21st inst., when Dr. Kemp of Independence, and Revs. Messrs. Ringgold and Thompson of Cedar Rapids, Trimble of Clinton, and Chambers of Anamosa will assist the rector. Dr. Kemp will preach in the morning at 10:30 o’clock, and Mr. Ringgold in the evening at 7. The services will be initiatory, not dedicatory.

The church is a small, neat brick structure, 42 feet in length by 27 in width, erected at a cost of $2,000. The front is to the south, and in an alcove in the north end is the chancel, underneath which is the vestry. In front of the chancel is the lectern, and to the right of it is the choir. The windows are glazed with stained glass, those at the side and over the alter being Gothic, while that over the door is trefoil in shape. The chancel window bears the name of Mrs. A. Farquahar, whose liberal donation paid for it. The ceiling is groined, and the pews are placed on each side of a single aisle in the center. The building is heated by a furnace in the basement. Smith Warren was the architect.

The new church is a creditable monument as well to the liberality of our citizens as to the energy and perseverance of the rector, Rev. S. F. Myers, who has labored earnestly and unceasingly for its building – first in procuring the necessary means, and during its erection by doing anything his hands found to do, working with trowel, hammer and saw, and even carrying the hod. So well has he managed that the debt of the society is comparatively small.