Welcome to St. Mark's parish, founded in 1792.

St. Mark's Anglican Church had its beginnings in 1791, when Reverend Robert Addison was commissioned as minister of Niagara. He brought with him from England a silver chalice and his library of more than 1,500 books, which today are located in Addison Hall at St. Mark's.

Addison's parish covered all of the little settlements from Niagara to Burlington and Brantford, including the Native People along the Grand River. The church built in the few years had among its congregation Sir Isaac Brock, Daniel Claus, Joseph Brant, John Graves and Elizabeth Simcoe.

During The War of 1812, the church was used as a hospital by the British and as a barracks by the Americans. The Americans occupied the town in 1813, destroying Fort George and digging rifle pits in the cemetery surrounding St. Mark's. The rifle pits can still be seen today.

Before retreating, the invaders burned most of the town and gutted St. Mark's. The walls of the church remained and the British were able to put a roof on them and use it for stores until Fort George could be rebuilt.

St. Mark's remains the oldest Anglican Church in continuous use in Ontario.

Thank you for visiting our web page and enjoy your stay.