Get to Know: St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Portland

Family... faith... history... love.

These are just a few of the sincere ways members of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Portland describe their church community.

"I think they really have a deep love for one another and their community," said the Rev. Jessica Wachter. Jessica is the newly assigned transitional deacon at St. Mark's (her priestly ordination is scheduled for December 2022).

Portland is located on Highway 94 in Callaway County, about 90 miles west of St. Louis. St. Mark's members estimate the town has a population of 60 to 80 people... around 300 if you count the entire zip code.

This tiny town sits on the north bank of the Missouri River. As its name suggests, Portland was once a thriving river trade center, where shipments of leaf tobacco, livestock, grain, and railroad ties were exchanged.

It may be fair to say that Portland's most active institution today is St. Mark's Episcopal Church. It is one of only two churches in the town (the other is a Baptist church). The dedicated members of St. Mark's are responsible for the majority of Portland's community events.

St. Mark's core membership consists of about a dozen (mostly) women who are as comfortable leading worship services as they are organizing fish fries, family movie nights, and trips to Branson -- not just for their church members, but for the entire community.

"We support each other," said Vickie Catalina, a longtime St. Mark's member. "Neighbors who are not actual members want to see us remain in the community. They support us because they don't want to lose us!"

St. Mark's has a long history in Portland. St. Mark's school was founded in 1890 on a 175-acre campus. A chapel, two dormitories and classrooms were built to serve approximately 55 boys, ages 10 to 14, the school's faculty and a housemother.

In 1909 the Archdeacon of the Diocese acquired a tract of land and raised money to build the present St. Mark's Church. It was one of four beautiful identical rock structures built under the direction of Bishop Daniel Sylvester Tuttle (the others were in Fulton, Bonne Terre, and Salem). The first worship service in the new building was held in April 1910 and the church has served the community for more than a century. In November of 2021, Bishop Deon Johnson honored the entire congregation with a Bishop's Medal for their outstanding ministry.

"It's definitely a unique situation," Jessica said. "It's a country church that's very much alive to love and welcome in the name of Christ in their community."

Vital Stats

Church name: St. Mark's Episcopal Church

Address: 10488 County Road 466

City: Portland

Phone:

Email:

Worship Services: Sundays at 10 a.m.

Clergy: The Rev. Jessica Wachter, Transitional Deacon (scheduled for priestly ordination December 2022)