St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Berkeley

Saint Mark's Episcopal Church is a historic parish in Berkeley. Established in 1877 by two University of California faculty families, the church has deep roots in the Berkeley community. Originally housed in a Victorian-style, wood-frame parish house, it was rebuilt in 1902 in the Mission Revival style by renowned architect William Curlett, making it the first building in Berkeley to feature this architectural style.

The church is dedicated to Rev. William Ingraham Kip, California's first Protestant Episcopal bishop. Its design, inspired by the Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo in Carmel-by-the-Sea, includes a square bell tower with arched entrances, an open loggia, and an octagonal domed roof topped with a cross. A second domed bell tower is located on the southwest corner. The west side of the church features two stunning stained-glass rose windows created by Louis Comfort Tiffany, and installed in 1916.

In 1911, a new parish house was constructed, replacing the original Victorian building. Designed by architect Willis Polk, the two-story structure includes an auditorium, Sunday school rooms, a library, and office space. It serves as a memorial gift from the children of Mrs. James Palache. The church's interior is adorned with a pulpit carved by the San Francisco firm Vickery, Atkins & Torrey and houses a notable organ built in 1971 by Dutch organ maker Dirk Andries Flentrop.

Saint Mark's has long been a center for music and community service. It is home to vibrant musical performances, including a 2007 rendition of Richard Strauss's Deutsche Motette by the Pacific Mozart Ensemble. The parish actively supports the Berkeley community through programs for students, outreach to the homeless, and fostering intellectual discussions about faith and purpose.