The Mission Begins

In October 1906, Pastor Schoenlein began work in Brookline. The first service was held in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Hermann at 2611 Pioneer Avenue. Service continued at this home for over a year until the congregation secured the use of the Knowlson Methodist Church near the Brookline Junction (West Liberty Avenue and Brookline Boulevard).

In 1908 the Lutheran City Mission Society assisted in the purchase of a lot on Brookline Boulevard near Pioneer Avenue, a block up from the Junction. The Lutheran City Mission Society also helped with the erection of a frame chapel at the location. The cornerstone for this building was laid July 19, 1908, and the building was dedicated on September 20, 1908.

This little chapel, besides being used by the church, was, previous to the building of Brookline School, leased to the West Liberty School Board for school purposes.

In December, 1910, Rev. Schoenlein resigned. In June, 1911, Rev. L. O. Burry became pastor, and in 1912, the congregation was incorporated with 32 confirmed members.

The Mission Grows

During Rev. Burry's pastorate it became evident that a more favorable location had to be secured for expansion in the future. So, in 1920 the present site was secured at the corner of Brookline Boulevard and Glenarm Avenue. On July 1, 1922, Rev. Burry resigned to accept the pastorate of Bethany Lutheran Church in Dormont.

Rev. Herbert Trump became pastor on July 9, 1922. During his pastorate the congregation purchased a suitable parsonage at 958 Berkshire Avenue. It was also during his pastorate that the congregation employed O. M. Topp as architect to make plans for a new building. In February, 1926, Rev. Trump accepted the call to Perrysville and after several months of anxious waiting, Rev. Walter E. Miesel accepted the call to Brookline.

Rev. Miesel was installed the first Sunday in August, 1926, by Dr. Walter E. Schuette. It soon became evident that a new building was a necessity. Finding the proposed church site too small the congregation purchased an adjoining lot. This gave the congregation a corner lot with 130 feet frontage on Brookline Boulevard, 127 feet on Glenarm Avenue, and 80 feet on the alleyway. This made it possible to expand plans for a new Church and Sunday School building.

The New Sunday School and Church

First to be built was the Sunday School, across the back of the three lots next to the alley. Ground was broken on this new building on November 4, 1928. The old parsonage was sold the next year and a new home was purchased next to the property on Brookline Boulevard. Construction of the Sunday School was completed and dedicated on September 15, 1929.

On this most important day for the congregation, former pastors Rev. L. O. Barry and Rev. Trump returned to assist with the services. Also honored during the ceremony were Mr. Jacob Hermann, in whose home the first services were held, Mrs. Celia White and Miss Emma Havner, both early charter members, and Miss Laura Dierker, the first child baptized at St. Mark's.

On April 7, 1929, the cornerstone of the new building was laid with appropriate ceremonies. Dr. Walter E. Schuette, President of the Western District, delivered the sermon for this special day.

Installed in the new building was a beautiful pipe organ, that for many years was played by long-time Brookline resident and piano master Marie Fisher Daugherty. The organ was damaged during a renovation years later and was removed with much regret.

During the pastorate of Rev. Miesel the congregation enjoyed a steady growth, reaching 553 confirmed members and liquidating all debt.

A Change in Plans

Rev. J. B. Ackerman took over as pastor from the revered Dr. Miesel in October of 1954. Plans were still on the table to construct a large church next to the Sunday School, which was acting as the church since its opening. But times were changing, and a large gothic style church did not seem to be the answer to the mission's expansion plans.

After much consideration, it was decided that the Sunday School would be sufficient to serve as the church, and the new addition would be an educational building that would serve as both the Sunday School and a community meeting area/small auditorium. The central location of the church grounds made this a beneficial alteration for both the congregation and the community of Brookline, which would not have a central meeting place.

In 1958, a new parsonage was built on Klein Place, and the old parsonage was used as a temporary Sunday School. Work on the new education annex was begun in 1963, and the new addition was dedicated in April of 1964.

Ready for the Challenges of the Future

In July, 1969, membership in the congregation stood at 415, a number that has held steady for over 40 years. Rev. E. J. Naumann replaced Rev. Ackerman in 1967 and his pastorate lasted for 19 years. In 1981, the final changes were made to the property. Two offices in Miesel Hall were converted into restrooms, and two new memorial offices were constructed between the existing church buildings.

Pastor Scott Bryte has held the pastorate since Rev. Naumann retired in 1986. In that time the congregation has held steady, numbering approximately 400 confirmed members, with over 60 kids enrolled in the Sunday School program. There are four different youth groups and, since 1997, a traveling puppet ministry, with 16 kids ranging in age from 11 to 18 years old.

For many years, St. Mark has taken the lead in the community, providing services to the needy and the elderly. The Meals on Wheels program provides balanced nutrition for those who are hungry, and the Little Red Bus service provides senior citizens with transportation when in need. The education annex is used often by community groups like the Brookline Area Community Council for meeting space.

St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church has served its congregation now for nearly 100 years, and in that century its accomplishments have been many. The Mission does not just provide for the spiritual needs of its congregation, but also extends a helping hand to all members of the Brookline community. Their contributions have been many, and under the leadership and direction of Pastor Scott, the future for St. Mark's looks bright. The Brookline community can only benefit from having such a valuable asset right here in the heart of the neighborhood.

The Roll Call of Pastors

Rev. Schoenlein (Oct 1906-Dec 1910); Rev. L. O. Burry (Jun 1911-Jul 1922); Rev. Herbert Trum (Jul 1922-Feb 1926); Dr. Walter E. Miesel (Aug 1926-Oct 1953); Rev. J. B. Ackerman (Oct 1954-Apr 1967); Rev. E. J. Naumann (Jul 1967-1986); Rev. Scott Bryte (1986-Present).