Parish Information

Saint Mark and Saint John
Archdeaconry: Tsitsikamma
District: Port Elizabeth City
Telephone: 041-457-2033
Fax: 041 457 1441

Postal Address:
P O Box 34249,
Newton Park
6055

Street Address:
87 van der Kemp Street
Parkside
Port Elizabeth

Assistant priest: Revd Sandla Arthurstone Koltana
Rector: Revd Canon Gillian Annette Bowman
Parish Secretary: Anita Jacobs

Service Times:
Sunday 8.00 am
Wednesday 9.00 am

Worship Style:
Middle to high

History:
The Church of St Mark and St John the Evangelist was built in 1972 to provide a place of worship in the expanding area of Gelvandale for the people of St Mark's, Crawford Street, St Peter's, South End, and St Gregory's, Fairview, who were forcefully removed from those areas because of the Group Areas Act. However, the people had begun meeting in Gelvan Park Primary School, having their first Eucharist there on 26 December 1970. The first Rector, the Revd Michael du Plessis, was instituted and the Church was dedicated on 18 March 1973. This is truly "A Church set on a hill that shall not be hidden". The enthusiastic congregation has had to extend the church and the parking area, to cope with growing numbers. Looking ahead: Two recent missions have brought, with a deeper awareness of the Holy Spirit's presence and power, an increasing commitment to the work of God, not only in the parish but beyond its borders. We pray that we will continue to learn to be open to God's will for us and to live it out in our lives. He who has brought us together, from scattered communities, as the people of St Mark and St John the Evangelist, is with us still, calling us to walk with Him as we worship, serve and shine with His light.

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