About St. Mark · Argyle, Texas
St. Mark Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Fort Worth located at 6500 Crawford Road in Argyle, Texas (mailing address uses nearby Denton), serving the communities of South Denton, Argyle, and surrounding areas. Established as a parish on July 1, 1995, the community grew from a mission of fewer than 400 families into a thriving faith of more than 2,700 families today. After decades of worshipping in temporary and multipurpose spaces, the parish dedicated its first purpose-built church on April 13, 2024 — a 34,000-square-foot Spanish mission-style sanctuary with seating for 1,885, two bell towers, a dome dedicated to the Holy Spirit, hand-painted ceilings, Italian-crafted statues and Stations of the Cross, and a commanding altar mural of Christ with the apostles.
- Established
- 1995
- Patron
- St. Mark (the Evangelist)
- Rector
- Rev. George Pullambrayil (since 2011)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Fort Worth
Why belong here
St. Mark is a large, active, and intentionally welcoming parish — described by longtime members as 'the parish with a smile' and 'the Body of Christ here for each other.' It offers six Sunday Masses (including a weekly Spanish Vigil and a Life Teen Mass), daily Mass Monday–Friday, regular confession, multi-day Eucharistic Adoration, a robust K–12 faith formation program (Elementary Faith Formation, Edge middle school, Life Teen, Confirmation, RCIA for adults and children), bilingual outreach, Knights of Columbus Council 12553, a parish school partnership (Immaculate Conception Catholic School), and strong outreach to the hungry, the homebound, the imprisoned, and those grieving. After 30 years of worshipping in borrowed and multipurpose spaces, the community now gathers in a magnificent new church built to last another century.
Mass times at St. Mark
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM
- Wednesday 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
- Wednesday 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM (after noon Mass)
- Monday 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
- Friday 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
- Saturday 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Adoration times
- Monday 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Tuesday 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Wednesday 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Friday 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Parish History & Founding
St. Mark Catholic Church traces its origin to 1987, when Father Karl Schilken, with the blessing of Bishop Joseph Delaney, began a mission of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church to serve south Denton and surrounding areas. On July 1, 1995, the mission was formally established as St. Mark Parish under Marianist Father Eugene Sweeney, with worship at a Teasley Lane site. Under Father Tim Thompson, registered families more than tripled in the first decade, and the parish moved to a 27-acre site at Crawford Road and John Paine Road, straddling the Denton–Argyle border. Father George Pullambrayil became pastor in 2011 and led the parish through every phase of campus build-out, culminating in the April 13, 2024 dedication of the permanent church by Bishop Michael Olson.
- 1987 — Mission of Immaculate Conception begun by Father Karl Schilken
- July 1, 1995 — Established as St. Mark Parish under Father Eugene Sweeney, S.M.
- Father Tim Thompson — oversaw more than tripling of registered families and acquisition of the 27-acre Argyle site
- 2011 — Father George Pullambrayil becomes pastor
- December 7, 2014 — Bishop Olson dedicates the multipurpose Parish Activities Center (temporary worship space)
- April 23, 2022 (Feast of St. George) — Groundbreaking for the permanent church
- April 13, 2024 — Bishop Michael Olson dedicates and consecrates the new 34,000-sq-ft church and altar
The New Church Building
Completed in spring 2024 at a cost of about $31 million (funded by $7M parish savings, a $10M capital campaign, and an $8M diocesan loan), the new St. Mark Catholic Church is now the largest worship space in the Diocese of Fort Worth. Designed by STV (Dallas, formerly CP&Y) and built by Linbeck Construction in a Spanish mission style to match the existing Parish Activities Center and Religious Education Building, the 34,000-square-foot sanctuary seats 1,885 in a cruciform floor plan and features two bell towers, a dome dedicated to the Holy Spirit, hand-painted ceilings, Italian-crafted statues, a marble baptismal font, mosaic Stations of the Cross from Florence, Italy, and a large altar mural of Christ with the apostles. The altar contains a relic of St. Mark and was anointed with sacred chrism by Bishop Olson at the dedication Mass.
- 34,000 sq ft; seating for 1,885; cruciform floor plan
- Spanish mission-style architecture; two bell towers; dome dedicated to the Holy Spirit
- Hand-painted dome ceiling; mosaics and statues from Florence, Italy
- Altar mural of Christ with the apostles (Old Testament figures lower left, New Testament saints lower right)
- Relic of St. Mark sealed in the altar
- Insulated Concrete Forms and Variable Air Volume (VAV) cooling for energy efficiency
Clergy & Parish Staff
The parish is served by pastor Father George Pullambrayil and four deacons, with a lay Business Manager supporting parish operations. Father George, who has led the parish since 2011, is recognized for his pastoral and servant leadership — including guiding the community through the move to the Argyle campus, the 2014 dedication of the Parish Activities Center, the 2022 groundbreaking, and the 2024 dedication of the new church.
- Rev. George Pullambrayil — Pastor (since 2011)
- Deacon James Dale Galbraith (Hospital & Jail Ministry, Respect for Life)
- Deacon Victor Norton
- Deacon Edward Posvar
- Deacon Michael James Betancourt
- Kim Harbert — Business Manager
Faith Formation & Religious Education (K–12)
St. Mark offers a full K–12 faith formation program staffed by a team of directors and catechists under the umbrella of the parish's Faith Formation office. Children in kindergarten through sixth grade attend Elementary Faith Formation on Wednesdays 5:30–6:30 PM or Sundays 10:15–11:15 AM and 5:15–6:30 PM. Middle schoolers (grades 6–8) participate in Edge on Sundays 5:15–7 PM or Ignite on Wednesdays 5:30–6:30 PM. High schoolers participate in the Life Teen program, with Life Nights on Sunday evenings 5–7 PM, as well as the BoB & WoW discussion group on Wednesdays 6:30–8 PM and a two-phase Confirmation preparation using the Chosen curriculum from Ascension Press.
- Elementary Faith Formation (K–6): Wed 5:30–6:30 PM; Sun 10:15–11:15 AM and 5:15–6:30 PM
- Edge Middle School (grades 6–8): Sun 5:15–7 PM
- Ignite (middle school alternative): Wed 5:30–6:30 PM
- Life Teen High School: Sun 5–7 PM (Life Nights)
- Band of Brothers & Women of Wisdom (BoB & WoW): Wed 6:30–8 PM
- High School Confirmation: Chosen curriculum (Ascension Press); two phases, September–December and January–May
Adult Faith Formation, RCIA & Marriage Preparation
Adults are served through Sunday Adult Faith Formation (10:15–11:15 AM in the parish hall), periodic Catholic Adult Education series (Catholicism, Epic, Catholic Way Bible Study, faith-sharing groups, Women's and Men's Conferences, parish missions with nationally known speakers, and mini-retreats). The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) meets Mondays 6:30–8:30 PM in the Religious Education Building and welcomes non-Catholics seeking Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist; an adapted RCIA for Children (RCIA-AC, age 7+) is also offered, with bilingual/Spanish-speaking catechists especially needed. Engaged couples preparing for marriage use the Fully Engaged inventory and are paired with sponsor couples.
- RCIA (Adults): Mon 6:30–8:30 PM in the Religious Education Building
- RCIA-AC (Children age 7+): bilingual catechists needed
- Sunday Adult Faith Formation: 10:15–11:15 AM in the parish hall
- Catholic Adult Education series: Catholicism, Epic, Catholic Way Bible Study
- Fully Engaged marriage prep with sponsor couples
Liturgical & Music Ministries
Liturgical ministries at St. Mark include altar servers (open to children in at least third grade who have made First Communion and completed Safe Environment training), lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, ushers, and an Altar Flower Committee that handles the Christmas poinsettias, Easter lilies, and memorial/celebration flowers year-round. The Music Ministry rehearses on Thursday evenings and supports all Sunday and daily Masses plus Christmas Eve, Holy Week, and Easter Sunday celebrations. A separate Life Teen Music Ministry leads contemporary Christian music at the Sunday 4 PM Life Teen Mass, with rehearsal at 3:30 PM in the choir room.
- Altar Servers (grades 3+ who have made First Communion)
- Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Ushers
- Altar Flower Committee (Christmas poinsettias & Easter lilies)
- Music Ministry — Thursday evening rehearsals
- Life Teen Music Ministry — Sun 3:30 PM rehearsal, leads 4 PM Mass
Outreach, Charity & Social Groups
St. Mark is known as a welcoming, outward-facing parish. The Bread of Life Ministry picks up bread, pastries, and other donated food from local grocery stores and Panera Bread in Roanoke every day of the week and delivers it to several Denton nonprofits including the Salvation Army, Freedom Food Pantry, Our Daily Bread, Friends of the Family, and the Denton Community Food Center. The Hospital, Nursing Home & Homebound Ministry (coordinated through Deacon Jim Galbraith and Donalee Hallenbeck) brings Holy Communion to parishioners who cannot attend Mass. The Men's Jail Ministry brings the Catholic faith and a Communion service to inmates of the Denton County Jail every Friday. Other groups include Grief Share (13-week support program), Funeral Meals, the Vocation Cross Program, the Scribe Ministry (cards for the sick and bereaved), the Cause of Our Joy Catholic mothers' group, and the Respect for Life group, which supports diocesan programs on End of Life, Post-Abortion Healing, Aging with Grace, Abortion, and Miscarriage Ministry.
- Bread of Life — daily bakery pickup for Denton food pantries
- Hospital, Nursing Home & Homebound Communion visits
- Men's Jail Ministry at the Denton County Jail (Fridays)
- Grief Share — 13-week support program
- Funeral Meals for bereaved families
- Vocation Cross Program (weekly vocation prayers)
- Scribe Ministry (cards for the sick and bereaved)
- Cause of Our Joy — Catholic mothers' group
- Respect for Life — meets 4th Monday, 7–8 PM, RE Building room #105
Knights of Columbus Council #12553
St. Mark is the home parish of Knights of Columbus Council #12553, a fraternal organization of Catholic men ages 18 and older. The council, which has more than 340 brother knights, supports the parish by cooking for and assisting the annual St. Mark Fund Festival, the Christmas Party, and Lenten Fish Frys, and conducts blood drives, seminarian fundraisers, Pro-Life activities, and a wide range of charitable and service projects in the parish and wider community. Members meet on the second Thursday of each month, with a shared meal at 6:30 PM followed by the meeting at 7:30 PM.
- More than 340 brother knights
- Cooks for St. Mark Fund Festival, Christmas Party, and Lenten Fish Frys
- Blood drives; seminarian fundraisers; Pro-Life activities
- Meets 2nd Thursday of the month — meal 6:30 PM, meeting 7:30 PM
- Grand Knight contact: [email protected]
Sacraments
St. Mark prepares parishioners for the full sacramental life of the Church. Baptism Preparation Classes are held monthly on the second Thursday from 7–9 PM (not in December or January), with both parents and godparents required to attend before the baptism date. Children's Reconciliation and First Eucharist preparation is offered on Sunday afternoons or Wednesday evenings. High school Confirmation follows the Chosen curriculum from Ascension Press in two phases (September–December and January–May). Adults enter the Church through RCIA (Mondays 6:30–8:30 PM), with an adapted program for children age 7+. Marriage preparation uses the Fully Engaged inventory and pairs couples with sponsor couples. Communion to the sick, homebound, hospitalized, and imprisoned is coordinated through the parish's pastoral-care ministries.
- Baptism — monthly class, 2nd Thursday 7–9 PM
- First Reconciliation / First Eucharist — Sun afternoon or Wed evening classes
- Confirmation (High School) — Chosen curriculum, Ascension Press
- RCIA for Adults and Children (bilingual catechists needed)
- Marriage preparation — Fully Engaged inventory with sponsor couples
- Communion to the sick, homebound, hospitalized, and imprisoned
Catholic School Partnership
While St. Mark does not operate its own parish elementary school on site, it partners with Immaculate Conception Catholic School in Denton, where Principal Andrea Gahler ([email protected]) leads a regional Catholic school that serves families from St. Mark and surrounding parishes.
- Immaculate Conception Catholic School (Denton) — parish-partner school
- Principal: Andrea Gahler
Visit, Parish Life & Becoming a Parishioner
St. Mark invites newcomers and visitors to 'Come as a guest, leave as a friend!' The parish encourages new residents to register as parishioners and offers multiple entry points into community life — Sunday Mass (including the bilingual Saturday Vigil), faith formation for every age, the Cause of Our Joy mothers' group, Knights of Columbus, liturgical ministries, and the parish's many outreach programs. After more than 25 years of worshipping in borrowed and multipurpose spaces, the parish now has a permanent church home designed to inspire reverence and to support the parish's continued growth and evangelization.
- Register online or in the parish office
- Six Sunday Masses (English + Spanish)
- Faith formation for children, youth, and adults
- Multiple ministries for newcomers (Knights, Cause of Our Joy, liturgical, outreach)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Karl Schilken1987–c.1995
Pastoral leader of the original mission of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church that served south Denton and surrounding areas, under Bishop Joseph Delaney; led the community whose growth led to the establishment of St. Mark.
- Father Eugene Sweeney (Marianist)1995–
First pastor of St. Mark when it was formally established as a parish on July 1, 1995, at the original Teasley Lane site.
- Father Tim Thompson
Nurtured the parish's growth; under his leadership registered families more than tripled, prompting the move from Teasley Lane to the 27-acre Crawford Road / John Paine Road site in Argyle.
- Father George Pullambrayil2011–present
Led the parish to the new Crawford Road site; dedicated the temporary Parish Activities Center with Bishop Olson on December 7, 2014; broke ground on the permanent church on April 23, 2022 (the Feast of St. George); celebrated the dedication Mass on April 13, 2024.