After 155 years, this Black Episcopal church continues to give back to Wilmington

Cheryl M. Whitaker, Wilmington StarNews
·2 min read

St. Mark's Episcopal Church, established in 1869 and located at 600 Grace St. in Wilmington, is the oldest African American Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Eastern North Carolina.

The StarNews spoke with Kenneth Chestnut Sr., senior warden at the church, on how the church is still thriving after 155 years.

More: To help serve people in need, Wilmington to take applications for service grant

What keeps the church going?

It starts with the mission statement from the church.

"We are an Episcopal community of faith located in Wilmington, NC, proclaiming GOD and striving to be disciples of Jesus’s love, justice and hope. All are welcome."

The church has a committed and engaged membership in supporting its mission. The church tries to stay connected to Wilmington and relevant. It holds significant events with strong speakers, such as a Black history service with Deborah Dicks Maxwell, state president of the NAACP, and Juneteenth.

How does the church help the community?

St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Wilmington is the oldest African American Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Eastern North Carolina.
St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Wilmington is the oldest African American Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Eastern North Carolina.

The church has many events that serve the community.

  • The annual Kwanzaa celebration.

  • St. Mark's Food Outreach Ministry served over 200 Thanksgiving meals in 2023 at its annual community Thanksgiving dinner. And clothing was provided for those that needed it.

  • Food is collected on a regular basis and donated to Mother Hubbard's Cupboard.

  • The church hosted 1898 commemoration events and has shown a screening of the 1898 documentary "Wilmington on Fire."

  • Supports Equal Justice initiatives.

  • The Bible Study Group meets each Wednesday and once a month it holds a potluck. The group's outreach also provides items to warming shelters.

What does a priest or senior warden do in the Episcopal Church?

In the Episcopal Church, the priest is the worship and spiritual leader that is a clergy person and ordained. This is the priest's career. A senior warden is responsible for the facilities and financial well-being of the church. It is a voluntary/lay position, which is not a career or clergy position.

Have you seen much change since you have been at the church?

"Certainly, I grew up as a kid and young man at St. Mark's in the 50s and early 60s," Chestnut said.

After moving back to Wilmington about 11 years ago, Chestnut rejoined St. Mark's.

"Just as Wilmington and the surrounding neighborhood has changed over that time, St. Mark's has seen these changes. The most notable change has taken place in the surrounding neighborhood and the environment," Chestnut said. 

However, St. Mark's has been steadfast in its mission over its 154 years of "being a place of worship and supporting the city and community," Chestnut said.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Since 1869, St. Mark's Episcopal Church has served Wilmington, NC