About St. Mark the Evangelist · Fort Pierce, Florida
St. Mark the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church is a bilingual English/Spanish parish serving the Fort Pierce community in St. Lucie County on Florida's Treasure Coast. It belongs to the Diocese of Palm Beach and is one of the Northern Deanery parishes stretching along the U.S. 1 corridor. Founded in 1972 and built on ten acres donated by neighboring St. Anastasia Parish, the parish combines a predominantly older congregation with active outreach to the poor, the homebound, and youth faith formation. Today the parish is led by Fr. Edwin Edezhath, who returned to the parish in 2024 as Parochial Administrator and was named its fifth Pastor on July 1, 2025, by Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito.
- Established
- 1972
- Patron
- St. Mark the Evangelist
- Rector
- Fr. Edwin Edezhath
- Diocese
- Diocese of Palm Beach (Northern Deanery)
Why belong here
St. Mark the Evangelist is a bilingual, multigenerational Catholic community in the heart of Fort Pierce where English and Spanish are both spoken at the altar and in the pews. Parishioners feed the hungry through the long-running St. Anastasia/St. Mark Society of St. Vincent de Paul food pantry and utility/rental assistance, visit the sick at Lawnwood Hospital and three local nursing homes, support a parish Thrift Shop, and sustain a CCD religious education program, a parish youth group, the Knights of Columbus Council #3416, a choir, and ongoing Lectio Bible study. With approximately half of its registered families over 65 and a newly restarted youth group, the parish is a place where elders, young families, and newcomers are all intentionally welcomed and where no one is a stranger.
Mass times at St. Mark the Evangelist
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM in the Church Confessional (no confessions on Holy Saturday)
- By appointment during the week during office hours
Adoration times
- First Friday of the month: 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM
- Every Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
- Every Thursday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
About St. Mark the Evangelist Parish
St. Mark the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church is a welcoming, bilingual parish of the Diocese of Palm Beach serving the Fort Pierce community in St. Lucie County, Florida. The parish was founded in 1972, and its church building was dedicated on June 16, 1974. The parish's patron is St. Mark the Evangelist, the Gospel writer and companion of St. Peter, whose feast day is April 25. The parish is part of the Northern Deanery of the Diocese of Palm Beach, which also includes St. Anastasia and Notre Dame Catholic Mission in Fort Pierce, as well as parishes in Port St. Lucie, Vero Beach, Sebastian, Fellsmere, and Okeechobee.
- Parish motto: 'There are no strangers in St. Mark's, only friends we haven't met.'
- Patron: St. Mark the Evangelist (feast day April 25)
- Part of the Diocese of Palm Beach (Northern Deanery)
History of the Parish (1972 – Present)
St. Mark the Evangelist was erected on March 11, 1972 by Archbishop William D. Borders of the Diocese of Orlando and built on ten acres donated by Msgr. Michael Beerhalter of St. Anastasia Parish. The 40-year-old Irish-born Fr. Peter Dolan was the founding pastor; he led a door-to-door census to fund a new church and social hall, with the first Masses celebrated in the new building on Easter 1974 and the church formally dedicated on June 16, 1974. The new Social Hall was completed in 1978, allowing the original building to be devoted entirely to worship. From the beginning, lay volunteers were central to parish life — over 250 served by 1974 — and a Thrift Shop, still running today, was among the earliest parish organizations. The parish has always maintained a strong ministry to the sick, the homebound, and the elderly at local nursing homes and at what is now Lawnwood Hospital.
- March 11, 1972 — parish erected by Archbishop William D. Borders, Diocese of Orlando
- Easter 1974 (April 14) — first Masses in the new building
- June 16, 1974 — church building dedicated
- 1978 — new Social Hall completed
The Marian Shrine and Parish Property
A Marian Shrine, the spiritual center of the parish grounds, was dedicated on January 1, 2006, under the pastorate of Fr. Michael J. McNally. A 100-year-old marble statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary was installed on the site on December 8, 2006. Other capital improvements during Fr. McNally's tenure included a reappointed Social Hall and re-supplied kitchen in the summer of 2007, a re-paved parking lot and new landscaping in the fall of 2007 (made possible by a generous benefactor), and a complete refurbishment of the church interior completed in mid-September 2008, funded by the 'We the Parish Campaign '08' which raised over $400,000 against a $350,000 goal.
- Marian Shrine dedicated January 1, 2006
- Marble statue of Mary installed December 8, 2006
- Church interior refurbished in 2008
Faith Formation & Religious Education (CCD)
The parish's CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) program provides faith formation for parish children, with classes beginning each August. Sacramental preparation for First Communion requires at least one year of prior religious education. Confirmation is a two-year program beginning as early as 8th grade (ages 13–14), and candidates must already have received First Communion. The parish places children in the correct program based on sacramental need — Non-Sacramental Grades for those not yet ready for sacraments, OCIC (Order of Christian Initiation for Children) for older children needing First Communion, and Confirmation for those already first-communicated. Families must be active registered parishioners; new families pay a $50 registration fee for the first child and $40 for each additional child. Documentation (baptismal or birth certificate) must be uploaded with registration.
- CCD classes begin each August
- Confirmation: 2-year program starting as early as 8th grade
- OCIC program for older children needing First Communion
- Contact: [email protected]
OCIA — Becoming Catholic
St. Mark the Evangelist offers the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) in both English and Spanish, normally running from September through the Easter Vigil of the following year. OCIA forms catechumens in the faith, helps them respond to God's initiative in their lives, and prepares them to enter the fullness of the Christian life and become missionary disciples of Jesus. Anyone interested in learning more about becoming Catholic is invited to call the parish office at 772-461-8150, Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM.
- OCIA offered in English and Spanish
- September through Easter Vigil each year
Sacraments at St. Mark
The parish prepares parishioners for and celebrates all the usual sacraments. Baptism is scheduled at least six weeks in advance and requires both parents and godparents to attend a pre-baptismal class, with at least one godparent being a practicing, confirmed Catholic able to provide a letter from his or her pastor. First Communion and Confirmation are prepared through the CCD program, with classes beginning each August. The parish also celebrates Marriage (couples must be registered or live within parish boundaries for at least 6 months) and Anointing of the Sick, including last rites for emergencies via the after-hours emergency line at (772) 577-9700. Baptism and other sacramental liturgies can be celebrated in Spanish as well.
- Baptism — at least 6 weeks' notice; pre-baptismal class for parents and godparents
- First Communion — after at least one year of religious education
- Confirmation — 2-year program beginning as early as 8th grade
- Marriage — call the parish office to begin preparation
- Anointing of the Sick / Last Rites — after-hours line: (772) 577-9700
Outreach & Charity — Society of St. Vincent de Paul
St. Mark the Evangelist co-sponsors the St. Anastasia/St. Mark Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a local lay apostolate of the world's largest Catholic charitable organization. The conference operates a food pantry, utility assistance, and rental assistance from its office/food pantry at the west end of Notre Dame Catholic Mission, 217 U.S. Highway 1 North, Fort Pierce (telephone 772-465-4551; email [email protected]). All services are provided on a person-to-person basis that maintains the confidentiality and dignity of those served. There are no paid positions; everything is volunteer-driven, with funding from the two parishes and private donors and going directly to the underprivileged in the local community. Clients must reside within the parish boundary.
- Food pantry, utility and rental assistance
- Office at Notre Dame Catholic Mission, 217 U.S. Highway 1 North, Fort Pierce
- Telephone: 772-465-4551
- Email: [email protected]
- Parish mailing address: c/o St. Mark the Evangelist, 1924 Zephyr Ave., Fort Pierce, FL 34982
Knights of Columbus Council #3416
St. Mark's hosts Knights of Columbus Council #3416, a fraternal organization of practical Catholic men 18 years of age or older. The Council meets on the first Monday of each month, beginning with the Rosary at 6:30 PM, followed by the business meeting from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Men interested in joining or transferring to the Council are invited to contact the parish office. The Knights of Columbus is well known for its works of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism, and the parish's Council supports parish life and broader community needs.
- Council 3416 meets first Monday of each month
- Rosary at 6:30 PM, meeting 7:00–8:00 PM
Parish Groups, Music, and Devotions
Beyond Mass and the sacraments, the parish supports a rich tapestry of devotional and community life. The Music Minister, Adria, leads the parish choir, which practices on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings. A Lectio Bible study meets on Wednesday evenings. The parish also gathers for the Holy Rosary (especially in October, the month traditionally devoted to the Holy Rosary) and the Franciscan Crown Rosary of the Seven Joys of Mary. There is a St. Mark's Women's group, a parish Thrift Shop that has been in operation since the 1970s, and a Parish Youth Group that was restarted in 2019. The parish also maintains a strong tradition of visiting the sick at Lawnwood Hospital, three local nursing homes, and the homebound.
- Choir / Music Ministry (Adria, Music Minister)
- Lectio (Bible study)
- Holy Rosary (especially in October)
- Franciscan Crown Rosary (Seven Joys of Mary)
- St. Mark's Women's group
- Parish Thrift Shop (since 1970s)
- Visitation to the sick at Lawnwood Hospital, three nursing homes, and the homebound
Parish Staff and Clergy
St. Mark the Evangelist is pastored by Fr. Edwin Edezhath, appointed the parish's fifth pastor on July 1, 2025 by Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito. He is assisted by two permanent deacons, Deacon Eric Hunsberger and Deacon Alberto Delgado. The parish office is staffed by a parish secretary (Christelle), an administrative assistant (Saray), a bookkeeper, a religious education/CCD coordinator (Brenda), a music minister (Adria), a director of maintenance (Francisco Barcenas), and other support staff (Lynn). Office hours are Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM. An after-hours emergency phone line for last rites is maintained at (772) 577-9700.
- Pastor: Fr. Edwin Edezhath
- Permanent Deacons: Deacon Eric Hunsberger, Deacon Alberto Delgado
- Office: Monday–Friday 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
- After-hours emergency: (772) 577-9700
Parish Identity in the Diocese of Palm Beach
St. Mark the Evangelist is one of three Catholic parishes in Fort Pierce (along with St. Anastasia and Notre Dame Catholic Mission) within the Northern Deanery of the Diocese of Palm Beach, which Bishop Barbarito leads and which serves the faithful across St. Lucie, Indian River, Okeechobee, Martin, and Palm Beach Counties. The parish is one of the older congregations in the deanery and contributes to broader diocesan life through its bilingual liturgy, its SVdP food pantry, and the long-standing tradition of pastoral care for the sick and the elderly.
- Northern Deanery, Diocese of Palm Beach
- Sister parishes in Fort Pierce: St. Anastasia, Notre Dame Catholic Mission
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Peter Dolan1972 – summer 1979
Irish-born; first pastor. Inherited ten acres donated by Msgr. Michael Beerhalter of St. Anastasia Parish. Celebrated first Masses in new building Easter 1974; oversaw construction of the new Social Hall (1978).
- Rev. Richard Murphysummer 1979 – summer 2002
Irish-born; 48 when named second pastor. Served 22 years. Built the rectory in 1985 without a parish fund drive. Served as Dean of the Northern Deanery after the Diocese of Palm Beach was created in October 1984.
- Rev. Thomas Barrettsummer 2002 – 2005
Native-born Floridian, 37 when assigned. Also served as President of John Carroll High School and held diocesan positions. Laid foundations for the Marian Shrine. Pastored through Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne (2004) and Hurricane Wilma (2005).
- Rev. Michael J. McNallyJuly 1, 2005 – July 31, 2018
South Florida native, 58 when named pastor; brought 30 years of academic/seminary teaching experience. Dedicated Marian Shrine Jan 1, 2006; installed 100-year-old marble statue of Mary Dec 8, 2006. Led the We the Parish Campaign '08 which raised over $400,000 for the church interior refurbishment. Retired in 2018.
- Rev. Bob PopeAugust 2018 – July 1, 2024
Grew up in West Palm Beach; ordained Permanent Deacon Sept 8, 2007; widowed in 2012; ordained a priest May 7, 2016. Served at St. Juliana before coming to St. Mark. Installed as pastor by Bishop Barbarito on Sept 29, 2019; transferred to St. Vincent Ferrer, Delray Beach, in 2024.
- Fr. Edwin EdezhathJuly 1, 2024 – present
First served at St. Mark as parochial vicar (2017–2021). Returned as Parochial Administrator from St. Anastasia July 1, 2024; appointed fifth Pastor of St. Mark by Bishop Barbarito on July 1, 2025.