About St. Mark · Fallston, Maryland
St. Mark Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Fallston, Harford County, Maryland, part of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. The parish traces its origins to November 1886, when Father Ebenezer Maynadier purchased land in the Fallston community; the original wood-frame church was built by Dennis J. Shanahan and completed in 1889. It began as a mission of St. John the Evangelist in Hydes and became an independent parish in 1968. The current church, located at 2407 Laurel Brook Road, was dedicated in 1990 after the historic 1889 structure was preserved and relocated to Joppa (where it was reassembled as St. Mary's Assumption Eastern Rite Catholic Church). Today the parish serves the Fallston area with three Sunday Masses, a daily 9:00 a.m. Mass, perpetual-style adoration, a faith-formation program, LifeTeen high-school youth ministry, an active outreach center, and the Alpha evangelization series.
- Established
- 1887
- Patron
- St. Mark the Evangelist
- Rector
- Rev. Michael Foppiano
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Baltimore
Why belong here
St. Mark offers a balanced, family-oriented Catholic life in the heart of Harford County: three Sunday Masses plus a Saturday Vigil and a 9 a.m. daily Mass (with a First Saturday Mass in the chapel), generous weekly Eucharistic adoration hours on Wednesday and Friday, and a full sacramental schedule. The parish is known for its strong faith-formation program, a LifeTeen high-school youth ministry, the Alpha evangelization series, an active Outreach Center, Vacation Bible School, a liturgical-music program, and a long-running Bereavement Ministry and Meal Train. With roots going back to 1887 and a current church dedicated in 1990, St. Mark combines small-parish warmth with the resources of an active Archdiocese of Baltimore parish.
Mass times at St. Mark
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:00 PM to 3:45 PM (in the Chapel)
- 1st Friday: 6:30 PM to 7:00 PM (in the Chapel, followed by Benediction during Adoration)
Adoration times
- Wednesday: 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM (after the 9:00 AM daily Mass)
- Friday: 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM (with Benediction and Confession at 6:30 on First Fridays)
About St. Mark Catholic Church, Fallston
St. Mark is a Roman Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of Baltimore serving the Fallston community in northern Harford County, Maryland. The parish is rooted in an 1887 mission church that was a daughter of St. John the Evangelist, Hydes, and was raised to independent parish status in 1968; the current church was dedicated in 1990. The parish campus at 2407 Laurel Brook Road includes the main worship church, a chapel where daily Mass and confessions are held, parish offices, and faith-formation and outreach space.
- Founded as a mission in 1887; independent parish since 1968
- Current church dedicated 1990
- Part of the Archdiocese of Baltimore
- Address: 2407 Laurel Brook Road, Fallston, MD 21047
- Phone: (443) 299-6489 • Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.saintmarkfallston.org
Parish History
The parish's origins reach back to November 1886, when Father Ebenezer Maynadier purchased land in Fallston. The cornerstone was laid in November 1887 and the wood-frame church, built by Dennis J. Shanahan, was completed in 1889. It was a mission of St. John the Evangelist, Hydes, for 81 years and became an independent parish in 1968. In 1985 the parish outgrew the old church and considered demolishing it, but the historic structure was preserved: Father Michael J. Dornic of the National Catholic Museum organization disassembled it in 1986 and moved it to Joppa, where it was reassembled and rededicated as St. Mary's Assumption Eastern Rite Catholic Church. The new Roman Catholic St. Mark church in Fallston was dedicated in 1990.
- 1886: Father Ebenezer Maynadier purchases land in Fallston
- 1887: cornerstone laid
- 1889: original wood-frame church completed (builder: Dennis J. Shanahan)
- 1887–1968: mission of St. John the Evangelist, Hydes
- 1968: erected as an independent parish
- 1985: plans announced for a new, larger church
- 1986: historic 1889 church disassembled and moved to Joppa
- 1990: new St. Mark church dedicated in Fallston; relocated church rededicated as St. Mary's Assumption Eastern Rite Catholic Church
Pastoral Staff and Clergy
The parish is served by Pastor Rev. Michael Foppiano, who also serves the Archdiocese of Baltimore as Director of the Diaconate. He is assisted by retired priest Rev. William P. Foley (former Archdiocesan Director of Senior and Retired Priests, residing at the rectory) and retired Msgr. Thomas J. Tewes. Two permanent deacons assist the parish: Deacon Martin Perry and retired Deacon Charles Hicks. The lay staff includes a Director of Evangelization, Business Manager, Facilities Manager, Coordinator of Liturgical Music, Coordinator of Youth & Young Adult Ministry, Associate Director of Faith Formation, Coordinator of Outreach, parish administrative assistants, facilities assistants, and an accountant.
- Rev. Michael Foppiano – Pastor; Director of the Diaconate, Archdiocese of Baltimore
- Rev. William P. Foley – Assisting and In Residence (retired)
- Msgr. Thomas J. Tewes – Assisting Clergy (retired)
- Deacon Martin Perry – Permanent Deacon
- Deacon Charles Hicks – Deacon (retired)
- Barbara Austin – Director of Evangelization
- Val Bowers – Coordinator of Liturgical Music
- Tom (Thomas) Mackin – Coordinator of Youth Ministry / Director of Music and Liturgy
- Veronica Lavenberg – Associate Director of Faith Formation
- Julie Tomko – Coordinator of Outreach
- Joyce Shipley – Business Manager
- Patrick McGinty – Facilities Manager
- Paige Pisano – Parish Administrative Assistant
- George Hechter – Pastoral Council President
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven sacraments and provides preparation programs for each. Baptisms are scheduled after a preparation class for parents; First Reconciliation is prepared in 2nd grade, Confirmation through a multi-year program beginning in 9th grade, and adults seeking Baptism or Confirmation are welcomed through the parish's evangelization office. Couples should contact the Parish at least six months in advance of a desired wedding date. The Anointing of the Sick is available on request, and Eucharistic Ministers bring Communion to the sick and homebound in homes, hospitals, and nursing homes.
- Baptism (infant and adult) – preparation class required
- Reconciliation (Confession) – Sat 3:00–3:45 PM, 1st Fri 6:30–7:00 PM
- Eucharist (First Communion) – PSR preparation
- Confirmation – immediate preparation from 9th grade; adult Confirmation via RCIA
- Marriage – 6-month advance appointment with Pastor or Deacon
- Anointing of the Sick – contact the Parish Office
- Eucharistic Ministry to the Sick & Homebound – on request
Faith Formation and Religious Education
The parish's Faith Formation Office coordinates the Parish School of Religion (PSR), sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation, and adult formation through the Alpha series. Adult inquirers seeking Baptism or full communion with the Catholic Church are directed to the Director of Evangelization. The archdiocesan directory reports several hundred students enrolled in the parish's religious-education program.
- Parish School of Religion (PSR) for school-age children
- First Reconciliation preparation (2nd grade and up)
- First Communion preparation
- Confirmation preparation (beginning 9th grade)
- Adult Becoming Catholic / RCIA inquiries – Barbara Austin
- Alpha adult evangelization series (11 weeks)
Youth and Young Adult Ministry
St. Mark's High School Youth Ministry uses the national LifeTeen 'Illuminate' program, combining Sunday Mass, Sunday-afternoon sessions, retreats, faith-sharing groups, and service projects. A typical LifeTeen year includes Adoration/Confession/Praise & Worship nights, and the parish sends a delegation each summer to the Steubenville East Youth Conference. A Vacation Bible School is held each August for children age 4 through rising 6th grade.
- LifeTeen Illuminate High School Youth Ministry (Tom Mackin)
- Sunday afternoon sessions, retreats, and Adoration/Confession/Praise nights
- Steubenville East Youth Conference trip (annual, July)
- Vacation Bible School – 'VBS 2.0' (August 10–14, 2026, 9:00 AM–12:00 noon)
- Middle School youth ministry
Liturgical Music and Worship
Liturgical music at St. Mark is coordinated by Val Bowers, with Thomas Mackin serving as Director of Music and Liturgy. The parish has choirs and ensembles that serve the weekend Masses, as well as cantors and instrumentalists who support the daily Mass schedule. Solemn music is occasionally played in the church after Mass to maintain a reverent atmosphere for those who remain in prayer.
- Coordinator of Liturgical Music: Val Bowers
- Director of Music and Liturgy: Thomas Mackin
- Adult choirs and ensembles for weekend Masses
- Eucharistic Ministers, lectors, altar servers, and ushers/greeters
Outreach and Parish Life
St. Mark maintains an active Outreach Center coordinated by Julie Tomko, with regular 'Most-Needed Items' lists for parishioners to support. A Meal Train ministry provides occasional meals to families welcoming a new baby, recovering from surgery, or in mourning. The parish also has a virtual and in-person Bereavement Ministry, hospital visitation coordinated through the Parish Office, and Eucharistic Ministry to the Sick and Homebound. The Book of Intentions & Prayer Requests devotion allows parishioners to share prayer intentions. The parish also takes part in regional events like FaithFest and Faith Night at Camden Yards.
- Outreach Center – Coordinator of Outreach: Julie Tomko
- Meal Train – meals for new parents, post-surgery, and mourning families
- Bereavement Ministry (virtual and in-person)
- Hospital Visitation
- Eucharistic Ministry to the Sick & Homebound
- Book of Intentions & Prayer Requests
- FaithFest (Harford region) and Faith Night at Camden Yards
Devotions and Prayer Life
In addition to the regular Mass and confession schedule, St. Mark devotes significant time to Eucharistic Adoration each week and observes First Friday devotions with Adoration, Benediction, and Confession. The parish livestreams Masses and offers a homily podcast for those unable to attend in person. The Book of Intentions invites parishioners to submit their prayer intentions.
- Weekly Eucharistic Adoration: Wednesdays 9:30 AM–12:00 PM; Fridays 9:30 AM–7:00 PM
- First Friday devotions: Adoration, Benediction, and Confession at 6:30 PM
- Livestream of Mass on the parish website
- Homily Podcast on the parish website
- Book of Intentions & Prayer Requests
Getting Involved at St. Mark
St. Mark regularly welcomes new members into its liturgical, formation, and service ministries. Eucharistic Ministers, lectors, altar servers, choir members, and ushers/greeters are continually recruited; catechists and aides are needed for the PSR and VBS programs; and the Outreach Center, Meal Train, and Bereavement Ministry all rely on parish volunteers. Those interested in the Catholic faith are invited to Alpha, and high-school teens are invited to LifeTeen Illuminate.
- Liturgical ministries: Eucharistic Minister, lector, altar server, choir, usher/greeter
- Formation ministries: PSR catechists, VBS volunteers, Alpha table hosts
- Outreach ministries: Outreach Center, Meal Train, Bereavement, hospital visitation
- Pastoral Council (President: George Hechter)
- Flocknote email/text updates for parish news and sign-ups
Visiting and Practical Information
The parish is at 2407 Laurel Brook Road, Fallston, MD 21047, phone (443) 299-6489, fax (443) 299-6894, email [email protected]. Weekend Masses are Saturday Vigil 4:00 PM and Sunday 7:30, 9:00, and 11:00 AM; the Parish Office is open during regular business hours on weekdays. Free on-site parking is available on the parish grounds. The church is fully accessible, with the Chapel used for daily Mass and confessions during the week.
- Address: 2407 Laurel Brook Road, Fallston, MD 21047
- Phone: (443) 299-6489 • Fax: (443) 299-6894
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.saintmarkfallston.org
- Social: Facebook and Instagram (St. Mark Fallston); Flocknote email/text updates
- Free on-site parking; ADA-accessible facilities
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Ebenezer Maynadier1886–c.1889
Purchased the Fallston land in November 1886 and laid the cornerstone in November 1887 for the mission church completed in 1889; served in connection with St. John the Evangelist, Hydes, from which St. Mark was a mission.
- Fr. Edward B. Hemler1992–2011
Arrived at St. Mark, Fallston in 1992 as associate pastor; became pastor in 1997, overseeing the restoration of parish buildings. Retired in 2011 to Mercy Ridge Retirement Community in Timonium; died July 24 at age 74. He had earlier served as assistant superintendent of Catholic schools (1968) and as associate pastor of St. Stephen, Bradshaw, and was a former dean of studies at St. Patrick Seminary in California.
- Fr. Gerard (Gerry) Francikafter 2010–
Served as pastor of St. Mark, Fallston, after completing a decade as Archdiocesan Director of Vocations (2000–2010). While at St. Mark he also hosted Father William Foley in the rectory and mentored seminarians from the parish. Subsequently named pastor of Sacred Heart, Glyndon.
- Rev. Michael Foppianopresent
Current pastor; in the Archdiocese of Baltimore directory listed as 'Pastor, St. Mark, Fallston & Director of Deacon Personnel,' and in May 2025 reassigned as Pastor, St. Mark, Fallston, and Director of the Diaconate (to include Deacon Formation).