The former St. Mark the Evangelist Parish
In Service to the People of the Church of Columbus around Lancaster
Erected on 1 September 1959 and Suppressed on 30 April 2024
Sacramental Records from St. Mark the Evangelist
As part of the merger of St. Mark the Evangelist into St. Mary of the Assumption, and the suppression of St. Mark the Evangelist in April of 2024, the sacramental records are now held at St. Mary of the Assumption. If you are in need of a sacramental date or record, please contact the St. Mary of the Assumption parish office: 740.653.0997.
Emerald Campus
Due to the suppression of St. Mark parish, the reference to St. Mark as a parish or as the St. Mark campus can no longer be used.
Given the rich tradition of St. Mark, the St. Mark campus will be known as The Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption – Emerald Campus. The main building housing the former worship space, classrooms, and Food Pantry will be known as the St. Mary of the Assumption Center for Evangelization and Faith Formation. The former worship space will be named St. Mark Assembly Hall while the St. Raymond Room will continue to be known by that name.
St. Mary of the Assumption
Emerald Campus
324 Gay St. | Lancaster, OH 43130
The Emerald Campus will play a pivotal role in the efforts aimed at evangelization. Future activity possibilities include enhanced outreach efforts, Bible studies and other catechetical programs, music events and concerts, social events and festivals, youth activities and recreational events, retreats, and other activities. The Emerald Campus will be the center of efforts to renew the Catholic community in Lancaster as well as reach out to those who do not know the Lord. The locus of sacramental and worship activities will occur primarily at the St. Mary of the Assumption campus and the locus of faith formation and outreach ministry primarily at the Emerald Campus. In addition, the locus of education will continue at St. Mary pre-school and grade school.
Real Presence - Real Future for the Diocese of Columbus | Closing of St. Mark the Evangelist
An Initiative of the Diocese — Real Presence Real Future
For the Sake of Mission
Visit the RP-RF Website to learn more about this years-long initiative and see the data, models and input that was received.
From the RP-RF Study, Models, and Input, plans were finalized by the Bishop and local Transition Teams were established to work together in moving toward the decided goals.
From our local Transition Team for St. Mary of the Assumption and St. Mark – January 2024 Update:
“The September 2023 Transition Team Update reported that on May 25, 2023, Bishop Fernandes completed his review of the Real Presence Real Future. This study took over a year to complete and was accomplished by seeking the input of every person in the Diocese of Columbus. Twice, after a model for a grouping of parishes was presented, anyone who saw a defect in that model was invited to provide an alternative model for the restructuring of that grouping of parishes. The final model which was approved for St. Mark and St. Mary was, One Parish, One Church, One Pastor, One School.
On September 28, 2023, Bishop Fernandes issued a Decree of Suppression for St. Mark Parish effective April 30, 2024. The decree set April 30, 2024, as the date St. Mark would no longer be a parish and the merger with the St. Mary of the Assumption parish would occur.”.
Bishop Earl K. Fernandes visited St. Mark the Evangelist to celebrate the final parish Mass with any clergy who formerly served there….