YREKA, CA: St. Mark's Episcopal Church will close doors Dec. 31

By David W. Virtue
www.virtueonline.org
December 22, 2010

St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Yreka will close down on the 1st of January 2011.

Some say it is a victim of the recession coupled with an aging and dwindling congregation. Old time members say it is the pro-homosexual preaching in the church that has caused members to leave.

The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California, under the Rt. Rev. Barry L. Beisner, aims to give the building to the Historical Association, and also to a local Evangelical church. They plan on continuing to disperse food, clothing and counseling to those in need, a source told VOL.

The diocese prevented the last priest, the Rev. Judy Zeeman from ever preaching there, the source said.

The "Siskiyou Daily News" reported the congregation has only 13 members with the oldest in her 90s. The church has been unable to fill the church pews with new members.

A brief statement released on the church website states: "It is with great sadness that we announce the closing of St. Mark's Episcopal Church" on Jan. 1, 2011.

"This is truly the end of an era that began in the 1870s when the first Episcopal services were started in Siskiyou County."

Seventy-year-old Harry Shannon, a heartbroken 21-year member of the church, said this week that he's hoping his beloved church can be saved, but it appears the closure is a done deal. He said he is hoping for a miracle.

The members of the church met in late August and voted unanimously to close the church doors, according to the announcement. "It is difficult to summarize the reasons for the closure, for there are many."

St. Mark's is one of the oldest churches in northern California. It has stood at Lane and Fourth streets near downtown Yreka since 1881.

A special Sunday service to celebrate the church and to remember its rich history was held on Dec. 12 with the bishop in attendance.

END