Cathedral Church of St. Mark
Share a story
History of the Cathedral Church of St. Mark
Daniel S. Tuttle, a native of New York state, was elected by the Episcopal Church to be missionary bishop to the new territory of Montana with jurisdiction in areas that later became the states of Utah and Idaho. He arrived in Salt Lake City July 2, 1867 and began to build a congregation. One of Bishop Tuttle's early concerns was for a building to house his growing congregation. On July 30, 1870, the cornerstone was laid for the Cathedral. Blueprints for the building were donated by Richard Upjohn, founder of the American Institute of Architects and at that time the most distinguished designer of churches in America. On November 15, 1870, the parish was officially organized and the Cathedral was consecrated on May 14 1874. Bishop Tuttle noted, "When completed our church will have cost, I fea, $40,00. Alas! Alas!
The thick native red sandstone walls and heavy timber roof trusses reflect the determination of the designers and builders to achieve permanence in a frontier community. Transepts were added over the years, and the chancel and sanctuary were completed in 1901. The cathedral has survived moderate earthquakes, and a serious fire gutted the sanctuary in 1935.
Though a minority in number, Episcopalians have always been instruments for social justice and care in this community. By 1880, members of the church had established St. Mark's School, Rowland Hall School, and St. Mark's Hospital, all evidence of the concern for people that was the cornerstone of Bishop Tuttle's ministry. The grace of the cathedral is symbolized in the lives of the people who, for either a brief moment of prayer, or the ministry of a lifetime, have found it to be an oasis in the desert, a place of refreshment, encouragement and strength through Word and Sacraments. After leaving Salt Lake City, Bishop Tuttle reminisced: "Prayers and tears and hopes and fears and sacred memories, as well as altar and walls and gifts and memorials, were consecrated in that noble building in the mountains, to which my heart turns even now in the deepest tenderness."
Our Community
The Cathdral parish is a diverse, passionate group of people that are involved in outreach to the poor, working with other faiths to build deep relationships. We hold Morning Prayer at 8:00 AM and have Mass daily. Saturday evening is "come as you are" and is very informal. On unday we hold Rite I (Elizabethan language) in the chapel with no music and at 10:30 we hold Cathedral Eucharists that include grand processions and incense on high holy days. On most Sundays, mass includes a full choir with thoughtful and inspiring sermons.
Worship times
Nursery ages Infant under 3
Volunteer opportunities
Hildegarde's Pantry, located in a separate building on the campus with the Cathedral, serves over 2,000 household each month with food and personal care items. Households are able to make their own selections from shelves displaying available products. Individuals may come to the pantry twice a month. Picture ID is required for all adults 18 and older. For younger children, passport, SS card, medical card or birth certificate are acceptable. The pantry is open on Monday for volunteers who unload trucks, stock the shelves and refrigerators/freezers. Volunteers may also assist patrons the hours the pantry is open: Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 11:30 a.m-1:00 p.m and Thursday 5:00-6:30 p.m. Volunteer activities include light cleaning, basic computer input and assisting patrons in selection of items.
Ministries
Hildegarde's Food Pantry
Hildegarde's Pantry, located in a separate building on the campus with the Cathedral, serves over 2,000 household each month with food and personal care items. Households are able to make their own selections from shelves displaying available products. Individuals may come to the pantry twice a month. Picture ID is required for all adults 18 and older. For younger children, passport, SS card, medical card or birth certificate are acceptable. The pantry is open on Monday for volunteers who unload trucks, stock the shelves and refrigerators/freezers. Volunteers may also assist patrons the hours the pantry is open: Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 11:30 a.m-1:00 p.m and Thursday 5:00-6:30 p.m. Volunteer activities include light cleaning, basic computer input and assisting patrons in selection of items. Hildegarde's Pantry was originally named for Hildegard of Bingen, a medieval anchoress, healer, writer and musician. When a beloved parishioner, Hildegarde Pischel, left a bequest to the pantry, an "e" was added to the pantry name to honor "Hilly."
Children and Youth Ministries
Aging, Health and Wellbeing
Sacred Ground Race Dialogue Circles
Sacred Ground is dialogue series on race, grounded in faith. Small groups are invited to walk through chapters of America’s history of race, racism, and whiteness while weaving in threads of family story, economic class, and political and regional identity. The 10-part series is built around a powerful online curriculum of documentary films and readings that focus on Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian/Pacific American histories as they intersect with European American histories.
Sacred Ground is a resource coming out of Becoming Beloved Community, The Episcopal Church’s long-term commitment to racial healing, reconciliation, and justice in our personal lives, our ministries, and our society. This series is especially designed to help white people talk with other white people, while being open to all racial/ethnic groups. Participants are invited to peel away the layers that have contributed to the challenges and divides of the present day – all while grounded in our call to faith, hope and love.
231 E 100 S
Salt Lake City, UT 84111-1604
United States