The city turns 75 in 2025 and one of the oldest structures in town is St. Mark Church.
“It has a long tradition of opening the doors to the community and connecting,” said Jennifer Hackbarth, the Interim Pastor at St. Mark. “
St. Mark has been around for 70 years and has deep roots in Circle Pines.
“We have members here in this congregation whose grandparents, whose parents were part of the group – the charter members that started the congregation in 1954,” Hackbarth said. “It’s fun to hear their stories about how the church was in 1954 as opposed to today.”
Council recognition
In March, St. Mark was recognized by the Circle Pines city council for being a valued member of the community.
“We have a lot of events that have food,” said St. Mark President Cindy Angerhofer. “That’s always a good way to bring people together and to bring people in. We’re very proud of our 70 years.”
“It was very important for the congregation,” Hackbarth said. “We were so proud to be recognized and also to realize that we are a part of a community that has a lot of very strong roots not just in the congregation but in many organizations.”
According to Hackbarth, the church has a wonderful congregation and a long tradition of hosting groups.
“They have a history of many years of working with the scouts – both boy scouts, girls scouts,” Hackbarth said. “Many years of hosting preschool screenings every month and also doing blood drives.”
Hackbarth is a huge fan of her congregation.
“I love and am inspired by the people here at St. Mark,” Hackbarth said. “By the ways they connect, despite their different opinions, especially about politics.”
Same look
The St. Mark Church standing today is basically the same one that popped up in Circle Pines 70 years ago. There has been some expansion, but the original structure still stands.”
“This is the building that they created in 1954,” Hackbarth said. “Many of the people, a lot of the men did the building themselves and construction.”
Circle Pines and St. Mark have a good thing going that is win-win for everyone.
“St. Mark is really proud to be a part of Circle Pines,” Hackbarth said. “We love the community and are so glad to be a part of it.”
St. Mark is not planning any formal celebration for birthday number 70, but Hackbarth says the church will do what they always do – “share the love of God with the community and partner with various organizations and people in Circle Pines.”
