West Nantmeal Township is home to a beautiful, quaint church and cemetery perched on a high hill overlooking western Chester County. Founded by the Welch in 1835, St. Marks Episcopal Church and cemetery at 1040 Chestnut Tree Road, Honey Brook, has lived on there from generation to generation.
Easter Sunday the newly appointed Rev. Marcia C. Wilkinson led the congregation in the celebration of The Risen Lord Jesus Christ. A high oval stained glass window with a dove symbolized the Holy Spirit as she officiated at a baptism.
“I had been retired and was called to be a supply pastor for St. Marks. After serving several months, I felt God calling me to stay there. The church felt the same calling so in January of 2015 I started my new journey,” said Wilkinson.
She was ordained 20 years ago at Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg and Episcopal Virginia Theological Seminary. She has previously served two parishes and cathedrals in various parts of the country.
Her husband Norman Wilkinson, a retired scientist, was a minister’s kid who grew up in Alaska before it was a state. The two have found their new home with this congregation.
The sanctuary is lined with beautiful stained glass windows. The Christian, Welch, American, British, Scottish, and St. Marks flags fly high over the pews recalling the heritage of the Episcopal Church and the Saint for whom it is named.
Reflecting the love of Christ, at the ‘Sign of the Peace’, the people in the pews empty into the main aisle and mingle and bless each other. They are living out their mission, “By the power of the Holy Spirit we will nurture relationships with God and with each other in Jesus Christ.”
After Sunday Services the congregation joins together for a meal.
A visitor from, Reading, Elizabeth Tilden, said with admiration, “This is a beautiful church, very inviting, and the pastor is so friendly.”
During the mealtime, the people buzz with stories and news of the community.
“The family feeling is not only the service, but this is a lovely time to chat. I would like to expand my ‘happiness’ seminars to the congregation,” said Phycologist Dr. Ruth Rainer, an 18 year resident of Elverson.
Holly Weaver, a member of the Vestry said, “My husband Frank was a cradle Episcopalian. In the late 90s we went searching with my in-laws to find a church. When I walked through the door of St. Marks I felt like I had come home and later was confirmed here as an Episcopalian.”
Ivanna Freeman shared her story. “I met my husband Bill here in the choir when I was 12 years old and he was 20. He waited for me and eventually we married. Seven generations of our family are buried out there in the old cemetery, most of our relatives are here. We were all baptized, confirmed, and married here. It is home and today we serve and worship here with our four little grandchildren.”
“It was prevalent in the 1800s that people had large families. Several children from one family would die young from disease. This was an Iron Forge community from the lineage of the northern Europeans. People started burying their dead here once the church owned the ground and before the church was even built,” said Cemetery Superintendent Bill.
The Combs family is very active in church ministry.
“We’ve been members of St. Marks for two years,” said Julie Combs. “My husband Mark and I were looking for a church and our intention was to visit several in the area, but when we went to St. Marks in the spring of 2013, we felt so at home we never did visit other churches. It was such a warm and friendly atmosphere, everyone was so welcoming and inviting and the service was very moving. My son Mark was baptized there in 2013, now 12 years old he is an acolyte and likes attending Sunday school with his friends. We feel this is a wonderful place to worship and know we will be long time members.”
Today this church, in an area still rich with the Amish buggies and plows, is proud of the hardiness and fortitude that has kept their ancestors’ faith and spirit alive. An active church with a huge focus on outreach to the community, St. Marks is moving to the future with a clear vision to expand their congregation of old and recent members.
Their ministries are diverse. For example, ‘Busy Fingers’ knit prayer shawls that are given after being blessed in church to those in need of comfort and healing.
All our welcome. Sunday Service is 10:30 a.m. Call 610-942-2365 for information, pastoral care or for an appointment. Visit www.stmarkshb.org.
