St. Mark

Parish History

St. Mark Catholic Church was established on May 16, 1997 by Bishop William G. Curlin as a new parish covering Huntersville, Cornelius, and Davidson. Its founding pastor was Monsignor Joseph A. Kerin. The first Mass was celebrated on June 1, 1997 at Northcross Lanes, a bowling alley on Stumptown Road, drawing 1,100 people from 250 families. After outgrowing the bowling alley, the parish moved Sunday Masses to Davidson College and Saturday vigil Masses to Huntersville United Methodist Church. The Family Center was built in 1999-2000, the preschool opened in 2001, the school opened in 2003, and the current Italianate sanctuary was dedicated in 2009. The parish has grown to more than 4,200 registered families served by 85 active ministries.

Clergy and Pastoral Succession

St. Mark has had five pastors since 1997, with Monsignor Richard Bellow's pastorate (2004–2013) bookended by the construction of the new church and the inauguration of Perpetual Adoration. The current pastor, Very Reverend John Thomas Putnam, Jr., has led the parish since 2014, having previously served 15 years as pastor of Sacred Heart in Salisbury and as judicial vicar of the Diocese of Charlotte since 2003. The parish is currently served by two parochial vicars (Fr. Christopher Angermeyer and Fr. Kevin Martinez), a priest in residence (Fr. Aaron Huber, also CTK chaplain), and six deacons.

Church Architecture and Sacred Art

The 1,500-seat church was designed by Duncan G. Stroik (with Bryan M. Morales as designer) in a classical Italian style, with a Venetian-inspired campanile, piazza, and fountain. Its most distinctive feature is the 22-window stained-glass program of the Mysteries of the Rosary by Ronald Dixon of Dixon Studio (Staunton, Virginia), installed between October 2018 and March 2021. The 2015-renovated Adoration Chapel draws on Bernini's Cathedra Petri at St. Peter's Basilica. Other sacred art on campus includes the Memorial for Life statue (dedicated 2013), two reliquary cases, the 'A Glimpse into Heaven' saint windows, and a mural of The Great Commission (Mark 16:14-18).

St. Mark Catholic School

St. Mark Catholic School opened in August 2003 as part of the Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools (MACS) system. It began with K-6, added 7th grade in 2004, and reached K-8 with 8th grade in 2005. The school is fully accredited, co-ed, and welcomes students of all faiths and backgrounds. The school celebrated its 20th anniversary in October 2023 with a rededication by Father John Putnam, new gym flooring, banners, an artificial turf field, and a beautified prayer garden named in honor of Monsignor Bellow.

• Grades: K-8 (co-ed, fully accredited)
• Opened: August 2003
• System: Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools (MACS)
• Principal: Julie Thornley
• Dean of Students: Hillary Shores
• Motto: 'Being Jesus to Others'

St. Mark Preschool

St. Mark Preschool opened in September 2001 and is the parish's early-childhood Catholic program. It serves ages 3 through Transitional Kindergarten with a variety of two-, three-, four-, and five-day options. The preschool day runs 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM (September through May), and tuition ranges from $250 (2-day) to $410 (TK) per month. Tours can be scheduled with Director Amanda Rametta.

• Programs: 2-day T/R 3s, 3-day M/W/F 3s, 4-day T-F 4s, 5-day 3s, 5-day 4s, 5-day Transitional Kindergarten
• Hours: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Sept–May)
• Director: Amanda Rametta ([email protected], 704-948-8015)

Faith Formation and Youth Ministry

The parish's Education Commission offers formation for every age and stage. Children not in the parish school follow a Faith Formation track that culminates in Confirmation after a three-year preparation process ordinarily starting after 5th grade. Middle schoolers gather through EDGE; high schoolers through Life Teen (which anchors the Sunday 5 PM Mass); and older youth through parish-based mentoring programs Fidelis (girls 6th-12th) and Fraternus (boys 6th-12th). Adult formation includes OCIA/RCIA (Adults, Children & Teens), Men's Bible Study, Men's Fellowship (Be a Man), Women of Joy Prayer & Scripture Study, and a Young Adult Ministry.

• OCIA/RCIA for Adults — Leanne Vaccaro
• OCIA/RCIA for Children and Teens
• EDGE (middle school youth ministry)
• Life Teen (high school youth ministry / 5 PM Sunday Mass)
• Fidelis (girls' mentoring, 6th-12th)
• Fraternus (boys' mentoring, 6th-12th)
• Confirmation Preparation (3-year process)
• Be a Man men's fellowship
• Women of Joy Prayer & Scripture Study
• Young Adult Ministry

Outreach and Charity

St. Mark's Community Life Commission coordinates a broad outreach network. The parish partners with Catholic Charities, Angels and Sparrows Soup Kitchen, the Men's Shelter of Charlotte, Habitat for Humanity, Lake Norman Community Health Clinic, Hope House, Mira Via (a home for unwed mothers), and Room in the Inn. It also runs a Thanksgiving Food Drive, a Coat/Blanket/Toy Drive, a Respect Life ministry (anchored by the Memorial for Life statue on campus), and a Charitable Donations committee. Mission trips are coordinated through the Missions Coordinator ministry.

• Room in the Inn (RITI)
• Habitat for Humanity
• Angels and Sparrows (soup kitchen)
• Catholic Charities Food Pantry Collection
• Men's Shelter of Charlotte
• Lake Norman Community Health Clinic
• Hope House
• Mira Via
• Respect Life
• Thanksgiving Food Drive / Coat, Blanket & Toy Drive
• Missions Coordinator

Parish Life and Fellowship

Beyond outreach, St. Mark's Parish Life Commission shepherds community-building ministries: Coffee and Conversation after Sunday Masses, a Social Committee, Bake Sales, Prayer Shawl Ministry, Rosary Making Ministry, Small Groups, 'Mothering with Grace' mothers' group, 'After the Boxes' Women Newcomers, a Home School Ministry, the Stewardship Committee, the Pastoral Council, and the Finance Council. The grounds are maintained by a volunteer Grounds Ministry.

Parish Staff and Contact

The parish staff includes Director of Parish Operations Scott Bruno, Director of Finance (with Finance Assistants Amy Burger and Sue Bruce), Office Manager Emily Bixler (also Liturgy Coordinator), Stewardship & Development Coordinator Karen Donahue, Marketing and Public Relations Director Lizzy Coleman, Membership Administrator, and Sunday Receptionist. Hispanic Ministry is coordinated by Emilio Gomez, with Music and Liturgy led by Director of Sacred Music Manuel Mora and Children's Choir director Lorie Gabriel. Faith Formation is led by coordinator Maddie Torres and admin assistant Sharon Torczynski. Marriage and Family Life is led by Christine Wisdom; youth ministry is led by Augustine Free (high school) and Olivia DiGiovanni (middle school). The Sacristan and the parish web/social media team round out the staff.

• Director of Parish Operations: Scott Bruno
• Director of Finance + Finance Assistants: Amy Burger, Sue Bruce
• Office Manager / Liturgy Coordinator: Emily Bixler
• Stewardship & Development Coordinator: Karen Donahue
• Marketing & PR: Lizzy Coleman
• Hispanic Coordinator: Emilio Gomez ([email protected], x117)
• Director of Sacred Music: Manuel Mora
• Children's Choir: Lorie Gabriel
• Faith Formation Coordinator: Maddie Torres ([email protected], x124)
• Marriage & Family Life: Christine Wisdom
• High School Youth Ministry: Augustine Free ([email protected], x105)
• Middle School Youth Ministry: Olivia DiGiovanni ([email protected], x105)
• OCIA Coordinator / Stephen Ministry: Leanne Vaccaro
• Preschool Director: Amanda Rametta ([email protected], 704-948-8015)
• Sacristan: [email protected]

Stewardship and Giving

St. Mark runs an active stewardship program led by Karen Donahue (Stewardship & Development Coordinator). Online Giving is available through the parish website, supporting the general offertory as well as the ongoing capital and ministry needs of the parish. Capital campaigns to date have funded the 2009 sanctuary, the 2015 Bellow Chapel renovation, and the 2018-2021 stained-glass window project.