About St. Marks

St. Marks Church History



St. Mark's Church 1896-1965

The origins ​​of St. Mark's goes back to 1866 as Dalton endured the bleak uncertainties of the Reconstruction era immediately following the Civil War. "War and the torch have left us very poor", wrote the Wardens and Vestry to the Diocese of GA in 1867, but with remarkable optimism, a cornerstone was laid in 1869 for a building capable of seating 300. Over the next generation the congregation's growth was modest, however, and in 1896 a smaller church was built, seating about 100. 


For the next six decades St. Mark's languished, reduced to the status of an organized mission and surviving only through the tireless dedication of a small core of laypersons. In the early 1950's national church authorities recommended the closure of the church, but thanks to sympathetic support from the Diocese of Atlanta, a new era began in 1952 with the appointment of a resident priest who was the parish's first genuine pastor. Under his leadership and that of his six successors, St. Mark's grew from an aided parish on the periphery of the diocese to that of a "program" church. In 1965 the congregation built the present facilities, which were expanded in 1978 and again in 1988. From this place it established a tradition of diverse and penetrating outreach to the community that has ranged from an ongoing inclusive preschool for both typical and special needs children to the founding of the local Hospice movement to the opening of a medical clinic for low income and homeless people. 



After 20 years of ministry at St. Mark’s, the departure of Reverend Charles Dean Taylor in 2010, along with the devastating impact of the economic recession on the local economy, had a profound influence on the spirit and strength of St. Mark’s. The following seven years brought a series of changes and turnover in the leadership of the church clergy. These ministers to St. Mark’s faced the challenges of decreasing budgets, smaller administrative staff, and difficulties in parochial ministry. These circumstances led the church to a period of conflict and uncertainty. The Rev. Beth Royalty, along with the vestry, started the church on the path of discernment of who we are as a church family and what we are to become as a church working in love within our walls and within our community. 

White church with steeple and cross amid trees, viewed from a quiet roadside.

The spring of 2017 was a period of celebration for St. Mark’s. Our 150th anniversary as an Episcopal Church included the Bishop, the community, current and former members of the parish and several former Priests. The two day observance brought us together in worship, thanksgiving, fellowship and honor of the history of St. Mark’s.  The arrival of our current Interim Rector, The Father Rick Tiff,  has brought new inspiration and direction to St. Mark’s. Our church has achieved a new level of stability under her leadership and the vestry and the parishioners have found renewed dedication and energy. Together we are completing a path of discovery, are achieving financial stability, and have become a more harmonious church.  Now over halfway through its second century, St. Mark’s looks to the future in a spirit of service, outreach, and joy; worshiping together as we continue on God’s journey.

BELIEFS

What is an Episcopalian?

While the beliefs of individual parishioners may vary widely, we as a collective church look to guidance from the Holy Scripture, Tradition, and Reason.

The Three Legged Stool, or Tower of Anglicanism


The classic Anglican theologian to whom later Anglicans have looked in speaking od sources of authority in the church is Richard Hooker. Hooker listed the source of authority as scripture, Tradition, and reason. Later writers have, by way of analogy, described these three sources as a “three legged stool”. Some view Scripture , Tradition, Reason as the three ascending levels of a tower: Scripture is the foundation; Tradition, sets on Scripture and is built upon it but cannot go where there is no foundation; reason rest on Scripture and Tradition and builds up to it but again cannot go where there is no supporting foundation. Thus , Scripture provides the matter upon which our faith is based. Traditions (such as the Nicene's Creed) are the guide to our interpretation of scripture, and reason is the guide to our contemporary application of scripture and tradition.

 We as a collective church body look to guidance from the Holy Scriptures, church leadership (which includes Priests, Laypersons, our local Diocese and the National Episcopal Church), and one another.


Diocese of Atlanta


St. Marks is a member of the Diocese of Atlanta, whose presiding Bishop is the The Right Rev. Bob Write. To discover more about the diocese, press the link below.

Smiling clergyman in black jacket and white collar against a gray background

National Episcopal Church


St. Mark's is also a part of the greater Episcopal communion of the United States. The presiding Bishop of the National Episcopal Church is The Most Rev. Sean W. Rowe. To discover more about the National Episcopal Church, Press the link below.

Smiling priest in a black suit with a gold cross pendant, seated outdoors against greenery

Our Staff and Volunteers

Leading St. Mark's life and ministry is a shared responsibility of members, clergy and staff. The Staff includes professional worship leaders and administrators. Many other members are involved leading ministry teams and groups. You will find more information about those areas under 


St. Marks Staff


Smiling person in a dark clerical collar against a blue studio background

Father Rick Tiff

Rector

Smiling person wearing glasses and a white blouse with a red patterned collar against a dark backdrop

Eunice Cooper

Office Administrator

White shield with a red cross and a blue canton filled with white crosses.

Jordan Schmidt

Assistant Administrator

Portrait of a smiling woman in a black sweater against a blue studio backdrop

Beth Nicols

Music Directoraph

Smiling woman with straight brown hair wearing a blue top against a blue studio backdrop

Christy Martin

Preschool Director

Lay Leadership

St. Marks Vestry


Group of people smiling in front of a decorative wall and black chairs in a classroom or meeting room.

The Vestry is an elected governing board whose members have designated responsibilities and serve for three year terms. The Senior Warden is appointed by the Rector for a one year term, and the Junior Warden is elected each year by the Vestry.​

St. Marks Vergers
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The office of verger goes back as far as the 12th century in the Church of England. If you see coronations or royal weddings from England, the procession is led by a verger. The verger is a church official who keeps order during services or serves as an usher or a sacristan and carries a ceremonial rod called a virge. It is traditional for the verger to go first in the procession, but at St. Mark’s and several other churches in our diocese, the cross goes first, followed by the verger. Originally, the verger’s job was to lead the procession and clear the animals from the aisles so the bishop could make his way. In present times and here at St. Mark’s, the verger organizes the acolytes and checks to be sure Eucharistic Ministers and lectors are all present. The verger may also act as crucifer, gospeler, Eucharistic Minister or lector. In a nutshell, the verger takes care of the details so that the service flows smoothly. The typical robe of a verger is a black open front gown worn over a black cassock. Some of the vergers in our diocese have gray robes. Twenty years ago, vergers were found only at the cathedral or in larger churches. Today there are over 275 vergers in the Diocese of Atlanta. ​