During the latter part of the 18th century and the first half of the 19th century the growth in the population of Sunderland was such as to make the situation regarding church accommodation critical. So much so that in 1860 a committee was set up to look at the possibility of creating separate parishes within the boundaries of the considerably large parish of Bishopwearmouth. This resulted in the creation of four new parishes St Peter's Bishopwearmouth, St Matthew's Silksworth, St Luke's Pallion and St Mark's Millfield.
The new Parish of St Mark's came into existence on the 28th March 1868, and the first services were held in premises belonging to Bishopwearmouth in Silksworth Row, but within six months St Mark's parishioners had erected a temporary building on the site of the present churchyard. During the first four years of the existence of the parish, the members and the vicar (Revd. Charles Green) had to work extremely hard to raise the necessary funds to build a stone church, but in three years they were able to engage an architect and building work was commenced with the foundation stone being laid on 15th March 1871 by Mrs John Hartley.
The Hartley family, whose glass works were situated in Hylton Road had been involved with the planning of the church from the beginning and had donated a total of £1500 towards the building costs of £4000. Another benefactor was Mrs Laing, a member of the shipyard family. The fund-raising was so successful that the cost of the building was completely paid off before the Dedication Service on 30th March 1872.
The interior of the church which was to have been brick and plaster was altered to stone which was a unique feature at the time. The furnishing and decoration of the interior of the church was the subject of some controversy at the time of consecration, but rumours of extravagances were stoutly defended by the then church warden Henry Ritson.
Attendance figures at the new church were quite high and by the 1880s they were able to build the church hall which was used as a day school.
Sunday School attendance was very good, and there is one record of there being 850 children in the Church and the hall 'packed like herrings in a barrel'.
There have been several missions at St Mark's: in 1964 run by Cranmer Hall students; a children's mission in 1966, and a Church Army children's mission in 1972 each one being successful at the time and attracting new people to the church.

Recent years have seen a new chapter in the history of St Mark's with the making of the United Benefice with St Luke's, and we trust that we will have many years to enjoy the benefits that this status brings.

Directions to St Mark, Millfield, SR4 7BN

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Calendar of forthcoming services and events

List of all services and events in this benefice

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