This text was copied from the 1971 photo directory using Optical Character Recognition scanning. Nothing has been added/removed/changed from the text. Formatting was added to improve readibilty.

The earliest records of our congregation show activity as far back as 1907. The first church book gives dates in 1908 and 1910, recording official acts and presenting the names of Pastors Miessler, Harms, and Mahnke. These men expended real effort to establish a church in St. Charles, but did not succeed because the number of people they had to work with was so limited. No official records are at hand to give the rest of the story in the early period of development. We do know, however, that a personalized ministry was carried out. With the first meetings held in the Lodge Hall on East Main Street, the development of the congregation really began.

The sainted Pastor H. W. Rabe, who had retired from active ministry, came to St. Charles from Elgin each Sunday for which he was reimbursed $1.50 for street car fare. His interest drew the attention of the Mission board which took care of the details of buying a site and of placing a prefabricated building on the newly acquired property.

In April, 1928, Pastor W. Theiss accepted the call to become the first resident pastor. During his ministry a church paper was established, the young people's group was born, hymnals were purchased, an organ was acquired and a parsonage was built at a cost of $5300.00.

On October 14, 1935, Pastor E. Pflug was called to St. Mark's. It was during his pastorate that the congregation added the bell tower, joined the Missouri Synod (April, 1936), established a yearly Vacation Bible School, and in 1937 ended the German service in the parish.

On June 20, 1938, Pastor E. Burgdorf was called to the congregation. During his ministry the congregation struggled to become debt free on all of its properties. On Jan. 17, 1943, the mission became self-supporting, and on Jan. 13, 1947, the last installment on the congregation's indebtedness was paid. An attempt was made to start a consolidated Christian Day School in Geneva, the congregation joined Lutheran Church Charities, and 12% of the receipts were designated to be set aside for future building needs.

Pastor A. Pfotenhauer was installed on November 30, 1947. Under his leadership extensive improvements were made on the properties. His successor, the Rev. W. Zielke, who was installed on August 26, 1951, led the congregation in purchasing a building site on the west side of town to be used for the eventual establishment of a mission and a possible Christian Day School.

In November, 1954, through the generosity of Colonel Edward J. Baker, and the Methodist congregation of St. Charles, St. Mark's congregation was given the present church property. Pastor H. A. Reischauer came in June, 1955, to lead the congregation in the remodeling of its facilities, the purchase of a parsonage and property adjacent to the church, and the introduction of many progressive measures in stewardship, evangelism, education and record keeping.

During Pastor Reischauer's ministry, a full time Director of Youth, Education and Music was called. Mr. Robert Schaeffer capably filled this position from 1965-1968.

Pastor Kenneth Jenks arrived Jan. 23, 1966, and presided over the removal of the old parsonage to make way for the new fellowship-education wing. Upon his accepting a call to North Dakota, a call was extended to the Rev. David Zersen, who was then installed on March 14, 1971.

As the congregation steps into the future under the spiritual leadership of Pastor Zersen, the faithful commitment of the congregation, and the blessings of Almighty God, we may continue to go forth as disciples of Christ and serve our fellowmen in His name.