Parish History

On May 16, 1997, Bishop William G. Curlin announced the establishment of St. Mark Parish in Huntersville, NC, with Reverend Monsignor Joseph A. Kerin as Pastor. The Parish included Huntersville, Cornelius and Davidson. Masses began at Northcross Lanes (bowling alley) on June 1, 1997. The Rectory and Office were at the corner of Ranson Road and Stumptown Road. The first Mass was attended by 1100 people, including 250 families. Four months later there were 600 registered families and an average of 1300 worshippers. Outgrowing the bowling alley, the Church then moved the Sunday Masses to Davidson College, and held Saturday evening Masses at Huntersville United Methodist Church.

Groundbreaking for the Family Center Building began on March 7, 1999. The Family Center Building was complete and the Dedication took place in February 2000. The Dedication Mass was presided over by then-Bishop Curlin, Monsignor Kerin, and then-Father Jugis. Four children were also baptized that day.

St. Mark Preschool opened in September 2001, and on May 23, 2002, construction began for  St. Mark School, located at the back of the campus. The school opened in August 2003 as part of the Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools (MACS) serving grades K-8.

Monsignor Kerin retired in July 2003, celebrating his last Mass as Pastor on July 6, 2003. He was succeeded by Father Mark Lamprich. The Family Center was renamed the Monsignor Joseph A. Kerin Center, and dedicated on September 28, 2003.  Monsignor Kerin passed away in April 2014.

Monsignor Richard Bellow became Pastor in July 2004 and began the Capital Campaign for a new Sanctuary in November 2005. Groundbreaking for the new Church building began on April 25, 2008, the Feast of St. Mark. The new Church building was completed in September 2009. The Dedication Mass, led by Bishop Jugis, retired Bishop Curlin, and Monsignor Bellow, took place on August 23, 2009.

Monsignor Bellow began Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in the Church Chapel on May 1, 2011. The Chapel was later renamed the Monsignor Richard Bellow Adoration Chapel.  He retired in July 2013, and Father Roger Arnsparger became the new Pastor.  The Memorial for Life statue was dedicated on September 8, 2013.

Father Arnsparger was moved to another parish, in June 2014, and Father John Putnam became Pastor.  In 2015, the Monsignor Richard Bellow Chapel was renovated, and was reopened in August 2015.  In March of 2017 Saint Mark began offering the Mass in the Extraordinary Form of the Latin Rite on Fridays at 12:30 pm, and began offering the Sacrament of Confession before every Mass.

Fundraising for Mysteries of the Rosary stained glass windows began in early 2018.  By October of 2018 the Ascension window was installed.  The windows were completed in March 2021.  Sacred art additions continue, including two reliquary cases, A Glimpse into Heaven saint stained glass windows, and scriptural art of The Great Commission (Mark 16:14-18).

St. Mark has grown to over 4,200 families and 85 active Ministries.

We have been blessed with many wonderful priests and deacons over the years.