The Swedish-Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church was established on the second Sunday after Pentecost, June 2, 1902. On November 15-17 the newly built church building was dedicated in Independence Valley outside of Rochester.

 

In 1929 the name of the church was changed to the First Evangelical Lutheran Church. 

What began as a congregation primarily of Swedish speaking Finns, became an all English church a few year later. 

In 1946 a lot in town was purchased, and soon construction was begun on a new church building.  In December 1947 the basement was finished and services were held there until the sanctuary was completed.  On Pentecost Sunday, May 16, 1948, the new red brick sanctuary of Saint Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (yes, another name change!) was dedicated to the glory of God.

 

In December 1980, research started on expanding the building.  In July 1982 the new addition, attached to the red brick church, was dedicated to the glory of God. The new addition included: sanctuary, narthex, offices and bathrooms.  The attached red brick church became the church kitchen, fellowship hall, and Sunday School classrooms.

 

In 2010, Saint Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church voted to leave the ELCA and join the LCMC (see “What We Believe”). 

 

Saint Mark’s thrives today as a worshipping family who stand firmly upon the Word of God, who welcome any and all to worship, learn, and serve with us.