St. Mark's Lutheran Church was designed in the style of early Christian architecture known as Romanesque. It is a type which was prevalent in central and western Europe from the fall of the Roman Empire to the beginning of the Gothic period (in the 12th century). The church has been noted through Baltimore as an outstanding example of this architecture, which is always distinguished by exceptionally heavy walls, round-arched windows and doors, short and heavy columns and heavy capitals surmounting the columns. The whole effect is one of massiveness, firmness and solidity – symbolizing the firmness and permanency of the Church and of the Gospel of her Lord.

The architect of this building was Joseph Evans Sperry, probably best-known in Baltimore for his Bromo-Seltzer Tower. Construction was completed in 1898.

The decoration of the church is Byzantine in style – a type developed in eastern Europe in the early years of the Christian era. Byzantine art made wide usage of deep, rich colors, achieving much of the effect with plastics, mosaics, and jewels. Green, blue, and gold were dominant colors in the 4th and 5th centuries; white, purple, and gold in the 6th century. Five colors are predominant in St. Mark’s Church: red, green, blue, gold and white. To see more on the decorations of the church, please click here. The Tiffany Glass Decorating Company was responsible for the interior design, under the direction of artist Rene de Quelen.

The chancel is round-arched with a semi-dome ceiling. The chancel arch is 28 feet wide, 35 feet high. Above the altar is a large Latin cross worked out in mosaic and studded with large uncut opals. In the center of the chancel frieze above the cross is a symbol relief of the Holy Trinity, depicting the relationship the relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In the lunettes to the left are the anchor, symbol of hope, backed with palms, symbol of strength and victory; also the lamb bearing a banner, symbol of Christ the Lamb of God victorious over death and the devil. To the right are the heart and cross, part of the seal of Martin Luther. The dome of the chancel as well as the spandrels above the arches in the clerestory are richly decorated with growths of vine intended by early Christians to symbolize the growth and vitality of the Church.

The large crosses above the columns in the nave and resting upon spheres symbolize for the worshipper the promise of our Lord that the Gospel shall overcome the world.

The altar is is made of Rubio marble, inlaid with mother-of-pearl. The marble is commonly referred to as "blue cheese" marble because of the veins of blue. Gold leaf mosaic brings out the central symbol XP, monogram of Christ; the side symbols, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet (Alpha and Omega), remind the worshipper of the risen Lord's claim to be "the Beginning and the End." Above the altar is a mosaic panel with a jeweled cross. In the arms of the cross are suspended -- again -- the Greek letters Alpha and Omega.

The pulpit, baptismal font, and lectern are also made of Rubio marble and are richly embellished with gold leaf and blue mosaic stones. All were the work of the J. and R. Lamb Company of New York City. The font is placed in the center of the church, as a reminder that the resurrection promise of Holy Baptism is the center of our lives.

The large ocular window above the gallery is especially beautiful, composed of a large circular window divided by a Greek cross and surrounded by 12 smaller windows, representing Christ surrounded by His disciples. Beneath the window are the organ's trumpets en chamade, installed in 1960.

Several fine additions have been made to the original structure through the years since the dedication of the church. The medallion window near the organ was designed and constructed by Joseph Lauber of Baltimore. The beautiful middle window is a treatment of the Good Shepherd theme designed and executed by the Tiffany Company of New York. The third window is a brilliantly colored memorial of the Resurrection of our Lord. Pictured to the right, this third window was also produced by the Tiffany Company.

For more information and pictures of the church and its furnishings, take our online tour. Better yet, please stop by to visit us. You're always welcome!