"Don’t downgrade your dream to match your reality. Upgrade your faith to match your destiny.” -DeVon Franklin
Dear Friends –
Eight years ago, a small group of Saint Mark’s community members met in the Brown Library to discuss how our campus might evolve to meet the needs of church and school families over the coming decades. It was immediately clear that in taking up the challenge of dreaming, planning, energizing, and financing a project to build on our legacy and transform our future, we would be asking a lot, maybe too much, but we never doubted that the faith and dedication of the Saint Mark’s community would see us through.
Now, after a thorough master planning process, a capital campaign that to date has raised $6.5 million from church and school families, a two-year pandemic delay, and a design approval process that often resembled “Mister Toad’s Wild Ride,” we are thrilled to announce that Phase 1A of our campus master plan, starting with demolition of the old meeting house, followed by construction of a new preschool facility and renovated sports court, will commence during the school’s winter break in December. This marks the start of a transformative multi-phase project that will serve the Saint Mark’s community for years to come.
The Saint Mark’s Church Vestry and Saint Mark’s School Board of Trustees have approved a contract for construction with Slater Builders, a contractor experienced in working with schools. Together, we are committed to keeping the health and safety of students and everyone on campus our top priority throughout the project. According to the proposed schedule, the heaviest demolition will be done over the holiday break while students are away. Construction is slated to begin as soon as possible in 2024.
As Christians, we understand what it is talk about and reflect on faith, but opportunities like this one, filled with significant challenges and incalculable rewards, help us to experience faith as a practice, an act of intention, that can truly work miracles. Your faith has changed our destiny, setting the table for a bright future for Saint Mark’s. We are filled with gratitude for your support.
We look forward to keeping you informed with regular project updates and to celebrating together in the new year. Please save the date of February 8, 2024, and look for an invitation to join us for a groundbreaking celebration as we mark this momentous occasion.
Yours in faith,
Matt and Marianne Wright
Co-Chairs, The Campaign for Saint Mark’s
Carri Patterson Grindon
Rector
