Our Mission




For example: We are dedicated to the preservation of one of the oldest churches in Ontario (Canada)


St. Mark's: A Bit of Our History


Built in 1822, and featured in an 1841 Bartlett print, St. Mark's is a small, beautiful National Treasure.

Elias Smith, the founder of Port Hope, was largely responsible for the establishment of St. Mark's and donated the land on which it was built.

St. Mark's was one of the first buildings in Ontario to be designated for architectural and historic interest under the Ontario Heritage Act of 1970. 

It was also the parish church of Canada's first Canadian born Governor-General of Canada (1952-59), Vincent Massey. In 1959 Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip were guests at the home of then Governor-General Vincent Massey. During their stay at his estate in Canton, they joined the congregation in worship at St. Mark's on July 26. After the service the Queen signed the guest book, which is still on display in the church today.

Vincent Massey was a devoted parish member. When he died in 1967, he was buried in the churchyard alongside his wife Alice and his son Lionel. His plot is situated on the north side of the building.

Burials were made in this cemetery prior to the erection of the Church building in 1822, but the first interment recorded was in 1822 in the Cavan register by Joseph Thompson. In 1830 Bishop Steward of Quebec visited Port Hope and officially consecrated the burying ground. There have been few interments since 1900. The last burial was that of Governor General Vincent Massey in 1967. The East section of the cemetery remains open for burials of cremated remains.

What We Do

The Foundation raises funds which will be used solely for the preservation of one of Port Hope's oldest public buildings, the Saint Mark's Church at 51 King Street. None of the money raised by the foundation is used for church purposes. All funds raised are used solely for the preservation of the building itself. While the Foundation works closely with the executive of the Church in determining which preservation project it will fund, it is independent of the Church and the Anglican Diocese of which St. Mark’s is a part.

Some board members and many members of the Foundation are neither Anglicans nor members of St. Mark’s.  All however are dedicated to preserving one of Ontario’s earliest wood frame churches and ensuring that the building, erected by community effort in 1822, remains structurally sound and aesthetically pristine and thus it continues to be a Port Hope tourist attraction and landmark for generations to come.
  

Membership


The annual membership fee is $50.00 for a family and $35 for an individual.  Please complete the enclosed form and return it with your cheque to St. Mark’s Heritage Foundation, P.O. Box 34, Port Hope, Ontario, L1A 3V9.


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News


A Membership Appreciation Event is being planned. Details to follow.

Our Board of Directors


Brigitte Hogarth, Chairperson

Pat Bryan, Secretary

Val Mancktelow, Treasurer/Membership

George Clements

Patricia Eberle

Bill Harris

Stephen Irwin

John Joynt

Peter Kedwell

Jane Pinchin

Honorary Director: Robert Fair

    Contact Us

St. Mark's Location
St.Marks Heritage Foundation