Old St Marks

 YE OLDE ST MARKS
A number of interesting aspects to the refurbishing of the old church include the following -
As the original pews from the Church were sold after 1980, it was decided that replacement pews be found. The answer came from within the Parish. The Church of the Good Shepherd at Browns Plains had a quantity of twelve-foot silky oak pews. Seven of these were given to St Marks and parishioner, Barry Robertson, with help from members of the congregation, cut down and rebuilt these to make the ten pews required for the old church. Well over 250 work hours went into this project with stunning results.
Parishioner, Stan Parker, on hearing of the need for an organ, quietly came forward and offered his two manual full pedal harmonium. This instrument was made in the United States around the turn of the century and is an appropriate instrument for the building.
Other items of furniture including the original altar, font, prayer desk, lectern and sanctuary lamp were returned to the old church. The only item that could not be found was the original hymn board.
The building with its cemetery, already a feature on the Logan City Trail, was nominated for heritage listing with the Environment Protection Agency and the Parish worked closely with the department over the refurbishing process.
 

As the old church was returned to “working status”, an access ramp was constructed on the eastern side of the building. Other improvements to the building included wiring, restumping and repainting and improvements to the vestry. Despite the failure to attract Federation of Centenary funding, the Parish was confident that the costs of the refurbishment programme would be met quickly. A memorial garden was planned for the northern end of the cemetery and a landscape plan for the whole area was developed. This includes a prayer garden in the area of the property where an outdoor chapel was used in the 1980’s but which fell into disrepair.

Old St Marks has now returned as an icon in the Slacks Creek/Daisy Hill area and is used throughout the week for some services and the Saturday night Evening Service at 6.00pm, as well as being available for special occasions such as weddings and funerals.